Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 3 September 2022

Scripture Text: Genesis 40:1-23

Message: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Genesis 40:8

INTRODUCTION

1. Joseph was sent to prison on a trumped-up charge

2. But God was with him, even in prison

3. He served as the assistant of the prison warden

TWO SPECIAL PRISONERS

1. The chief butler

2. The chief baker

Both had been sent to prison because they had offended the Pharaoh Genesis 40:3

THE DREAMS OF THE PRISONERS

1. Joseph noted the sad looks of the prisoners Genesis 40:6

2. He asked why they looked so sad Genesis 40:7

3. They each had a dream but did not know how to interpret them Genesis 40:8a

JOSEPH OFFERED HIS HELP

1. Joseph had some understanding of dreams Genesis 37

2. He had two special personal dreams previously

a) A dream of sheaves bowing to his sheaf

b) A dream of stars, and the sun and moon bowing to him

3. His statement to the prisoners

“Do not interpretations belong to God?”

Genesis 40:8b

4. He encouraged the prisoners to share their dreams

THE DREAM OF THE CHIEF BUTLER

1. A dream of a vine

a) A vine with three branches

b) They brought forth grapes

c) The grapes were made into wine

d) The butler served the Pharaoh the wine Genesis 40:9-11

2. The interpretation of the dream by Joseph

a) The three branches are three days

b) The butler would be restored to his former position Genesis 40:12-13

3. A request of Joseph

a) He asked the butler to put in a good word to the Pharaoh

b) He briefly shared his problem of being a prisoner Genesis 40:14-15

THE DREAM OF THE CHIEF BAKER

1. He had a dream of three baskets on his head

2. The uppermost basket had all kinds of baked goods for the Pharaoh

3. The birds ate the baked goods Genesis 40:16-17

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM BY JOSEPH

1. This dream was not a good one

2. Within three days, the chief baker would be executed Genesis 40:18-19

THE FULFILMENT OF THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAMS

1. On the Pharaoh’s birthday
This coincided with the 3rd day of the dreams shared

2. Things happened exactly as Joseph had said

a) The chief butler was restored Genesis 40:21

b) The chief baker was hanged Genesis 40:22

3. Did the chief butler remember Joseph’s request?
No! He forgot all about Joseph

4. Was the LORD with Joseph even though he was forgotten by the chief butler?
Yes!

A HISTORICAL PSALM

16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land;
He destroyed all the provision of bread.

17 He sent a man before them—
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.

18 They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.

19 Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the LORD tested him.

20 The king sent and released him,
The ruler of the people let him go free.

21 He made him lord of his house,
And ruler of all his possessions,

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure,
And teach his elders wisdom.

Psalm 105:16-22

LESSONS FROM THIS PSALM

1. Joseph was initially badly treated in prison

a) He was fettered

b) He was laid in irons

2. The LORD was with him

He became the assistant to the prison warden

3. His prison stay was a time of testing

4. Until the word of the LORD came to pass

CONCLUSION

1. The truth-principle must be trusted
“The LORD was with him” Genesis 39:2, 21

2. Man may forget, but God will not

3. The LORD’s plan will come to pass