BIG PICTURE: “God’s providence is once again the overarching theme of the narrative, a providence that is utterly sovereign but is in no hurry to accomplish its divine purposes. At the end of Genesis 40 the cupbearer forgot Joseph, and so he remains in the dungeon another two years. But at the right time the cupbearer does remember him, and Joseph is summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Seven years of agricultural abundance will be followed by seven years of famine. It will take wise leadership to prepare for the approaching cataclysm—and Pharaoh is immediately convinced that Joseph is the man to provide leadership for the task. The man who, under the Lord’s blessing, had previously risen to manage Potiphar’s household, and after his imprisonment had risen to manage the prison, is now tasked with governing the entire country of Egypt! The result is the preservation of many Egyptian lives when the famine arrives. The son of Abraham is bringing the Abrahamic blessing to the nation where God has sent him (Gen. 12:1–3). Yet the Lord’s plan for Joseph is far bigger than simply making him a blessing to Egypt. The famine is far wider than Egypt, so that “all the earth” comes to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph. Joseph’s dreams had specifically
referred to his own family’s prostrating themselves before him (37:5–11), and the famine will provide an opportunity for those dreams to be fulfilled, as well as for Joseph ultimately to be restored to fellowship with his brothers - and thus save from starvation the family from which Israel will trace its roots - and through Israel, comes Jesus, the Messiah.” (Duguid)

Knowing the Will of God: the goal of the Christian is to make decisions that are pleasing to God. God’s word establishes four principles for decision making according to God's will.

1. The Principle of OBEDIENCE: Where God commands in his word, we must obey.
2. The Principle of FREEDOM: Where there is no scriptural command, God gives us freedom (and responsibility) to choose
3. The Principle of WISDOM: Where there is no command, God gives us wisdom to choose.
4. The Principle of HUMBLE TRUST: When we have chosen what is moral and wise, we must trust the sovereign God to work all the details together for good.

This sermon is indebted to “From Prisoner to Prince” by Sam Emadi; “Genesis” by Ian M. Duguid; “Just Do Something”, by Kevin DeYounge; and “A Model of Christian Maturity” by D.A. Carson