Joseph interpreted dreams;
Joseph was made ruler over all Egypt by the Pharaoh (Gen. 40-41)
As we discussed in the last lesson, Joseph had experienced trials in his early life.
·
Genesis 37:4 – He was hated by his brothers.
·
Genesis 37:18-28 – His brothers conspired to kill him, and
then sold him as a slave instead.
·
Genesis 39:20 – He was unjustly imprisoned as refusing to do
evil.
Joseph responded to trials by continuing his righteousness and the Lord blessed him for it.
Remember that when a physically free person is in bondage
spiritually, he is actually a slave.
When a physically enslaved person lives a righteous life, as Joseph did,
he is free in a very important respect.
Because he was obedient to higher laws, Joseph was free from the
consequences of broken law.
After he was joined in prison by the Pharaoh’s butler and
baker, Joseph was able to interpret dreams that each of them had. The interpretations were fulfilled within
three days.
Genesis 40:14-15.
In return for interpreting his dream, Joseph had asked the butler to
remember him. But that did not happen.
Genesis 41:1, 9-16 teaches that Joseph was finally
given an opportunity for freedom when the Pharaoh wanted an interpretation of
his dream. Rather than claim credit for
the ability to discern the meaning, Joseph told Pharaoh that God would give the
interpretation. Joseph was a model of integrity and used his gifts to glorify
God and bless others, not for his own glory.
Genesis 41:1-7, 17-24 describes the dream of Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:25-32 is the interpretation as given by
God to Joseph.
Genesis 41:33-36 contains Joseph’s suggestion to
Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:37-43 records that the Pharaoh made his
wise servant, Joseph, ruler over all Egypt.
Just as Joseph gave counsel to Pharaoh about preparing for times of famine, our Church leaders have given us counsel. Elder L. Tom Perry taught: “Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually, we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal needs…We have been instructed for years to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come. First, gain an adequate education. Learn a trade or a profession to enable you to obtain steady employment that will provide remuneration sufficient to care for yourself and your family… Second, live strictly within your income and save something for a rainy day. Incorporate in your lives the discipline of budgeting that which the Lord has blessed you with. As regularly as you pay your tithing, set aside an amount needed for future family requirements…Third, avoid excessive debt. Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer and after obtaining the best possible advice. We need the discipline to stay well within our ability to pay… Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life [if local laws permit such storage]. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency. As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and obtain a year’s supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered in all seriousness” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 36).
Joseph was reunited with his
brothers (Genesis
42-45)
Genesis 42:1-3 – Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt
to buy “corn” (this refers to several grains including wheat, barley, rye,
beans, and lentils).
Genesis 42:33-34, 43:2 – They needed to return a
second time to Egypt.
Genesis 42:36, 38 – Jacob was reluctant to let
Benjamin go to Egypt with his brothers.
Genesis 43:3-5, 11-14; 42:36 – Jacob
relented and sent Benjamin with his brothers, even though he thought he might
lose another son. Even though Jacob
viewed this as a trial, the Lord turned this into a blessing since it would
lead to Joseph being restored to him.
*Genesis 37:5-11, which we reviewed before, revealed that Joseph’s brothers would eventually bow down to him. While this was a trial to them at first, it actually became a blessing to them as it led to their temporal salvation.
Genesis 42:21 indicates that, even after 13
years, his brothers still felt guilty about selling Joseph into slavery. Guilt can be a positive force in our lives
if it causes us to repent fully and seek complete forgiveness for our past
sins. If guilt does not motivate us to
repent, but simply causes us to despair, it cannot serve as a positive
influence. The choice is up to us.
Genesis 44:18, 30-34 shows that Judah had become
kinder and more concerned about his family since that time when he had
generated the idea to sell the 17-year old Joseph into slavery.
Genesis 45:1-3 tells us that Joseph’s brothers
were troubled when Joseph revealed his identity.
Genesis 45:4-11, 14-15 record Joseph’s complete
forgiveness of his brothers and his testimony to them that it was the Lord who
had turned this extreme case of sibling rivalry into the salvation of his
family during a severe seven-year famine.
D&C 64:8-11 reminds us of the principle of
forgiveness that the Lord requires of his followers. As we see, Joseph followed this principle of righteousness. Today, we need to assure that we are indeed
ready to obey this principle as it applies to us in our dealings with those who
have harmed us. It is up to us to
develop a forgiving heart and a charitable spirit toward those who harm us.
*Genesis 45:4-8 (cited above) demonstrated that
Joseph’s imprisonment, a trial for him, became a blessing for him, his family,
and the entire nation of Egypt. Who
knows what far-reaching effect our forgiveness might have on us individually,
and on our families.
Romans 8:28 records that the Apostle Paul
told the Romans that “all things work together for good to them that love God”. Consider how this has been proven true in
your life experience.
The Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50:24-38 contains
prophecies that Joseph made about one of his descendants who would become a “choice seer.” That descendant is the Prophet of the
Restoration, Joseph Smith. The
following prophecies were fulfilled in Joseph Smith’s life: 1) JST Genesis
50:26 – One of Joseph’s descendants would be a choice seer, 2) JST Genesis
50:27 - This seer would be greatly respected by the other descendants of
Joseph, 3) JST Gen, 50:28 – He would teach them of the covenants that God had
made with their ancestors, 4) JST Gen. 50:28 – He would be obedient to God, 5)
JST Gen. 50:29 – He would be a great prophet, like Moses, 6) JST Gen. 50:30-31
– he would be the means for bringing forth new scripture (the Book of Mormon)
that would support and work with existing scripture (the Bible), 7) JST Gen.
50:32 – Although he would be weak, the Lord would make him strong, 8) JST Gen.
50:33 – Both he and his father would be named Joseph.
Throughout his many trials, Joseph remained faithful. He even forgave his brothers for selling him
into slavery. Because of his righteousness, Joseph was greatly blessed. If we
are faithful, God will bless us by making all things work together for our
good.
Genesis 41:45, 50-52 - After being made ruler over
Egypt, Joseph married Asenath, who bore him two sons. The names were appropriate for these sons, Manasseh (“forgetting”)
and Ephraim (“fruitful”). Manasseh, his first son, was a pleasant
distraction to aid Joseph in forgetting the thirteen years of
slavery and the treachery of his brothers.
Regarding Ephraim, Joseph said, “God has caused me to be fruitful
in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52)
These lessons are posted on the Internet at hppt://www.geocities.com/jeninstitute/