‘The Birmingham Six’

Series

‘Life on a rollercoaster with Joseph’

Today

‘The test of advancement’

Genesis 41

But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me

kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison

Gen 40:14

Allow God to do things in His way

The chief cupbearer … did not remember Joseph; he forgot him

Gen 40:23

Allow God to do things in His time

When two full years had passed …

Gen 41:1

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your

face from me?

Psalm 13:11

Allow God to do things in His time

I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even

here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon

Gen 40:15

Is God unfair?

Is God hidden?

Is God silent?

"Where is God? … When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him ... you will be, or

so it feels - welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on

the inside. After that, silence ... you may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the

silence becomes." C S Lewis

the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and

granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warder

Gen 39:21

Allow God to do things in His time

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when

people succeed in their ways

Psalm 37:7

Allow God to get the glory

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the

magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him

Gen 41:8

Allow God to get the glory

‘I cannot do it … but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’

Gen 41:16

Allow God to get the glory

‘God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 7 years of great abundance are coming

throughout the land of Egypt, but 7 years of famine will follow them … The reason the dream

was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God

will do it soon’

Gen 41:28-32

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find

anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’

Gen 41:37

‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and

wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to

your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’

Gen 41:39-40

‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his

signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain round his

neck. He made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted

before him, ‘Make way!’

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh

king of Egypt

Gen 41:46a

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God.

My times are in your hands …”

Psalm 31:14-15