Read Genesis 40:1-41:36. How are the dreams of Pharaoh related to the dreams of the officers? What is the significance of this parallel?

The providential character of the events continues. Over time, Joseph is put in charge of the prisoners, two of whom happen to be former officers of Pharaoh, a butler and a baker (Genesis 41:9-11).

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They are both troubled by dreams that they cannot understand, because “there is no interpreter” (Genesis 40:8). Joseph, then, interprets their respective dreams.

In parallel to the two officers’ dreams, Pharaoh also has two dreams, which no one can interpret (Genesis 41:1-8). At that moment the butler providentially remembers Joseph and recommends him to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:9-13).

In parallel to the other dreams, Pharaoh, like the officers, is troubled, and like them reveals his dreams (Genesis 41:14-24), and Joseph interprets them. Like the officers’ dreams, Pharaoh’s dreams display parallels of symbols: the two series of seven cows (fat and gaunt) just as the two series of heads of grain (plump and thin) represent two series years, one good and one bad. The seven cows parallel the seven heads of grain, repeating the same message, an evidence of their divine origin, just like Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 41:32; compare with Genesis 37:9).

Though Joseph is the one who interpreted the dream for Pharaoh, Joseph makes certain that Pharaoh knows that it was God, Elohim, who showed the king the things that He, God, was going to do (Genesis 41:25, Genesis 41:28). It seems, too, that Pharaoh got the message because, when he decided to appoint someone to be over the land, his argument was as follows:

“Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word” (Genesis 41:39-40, , NKJV).

How fascinating: thanks to God, Joseph goes from ruler over Potiphar’s house to ruler over the prison to ruler over all of Egypt. What a powerful story about how, even amid what looks like terrible circumstances, God’s providences are revealed.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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You can view an in-depth discussion of Joseph, Master of Dreams; in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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We now pick up the flow of Joseph’s stories, which had been “interrupted” by the Tamar incident. Joseph is now working as a slave for the “captain of the guard,” who is in charge of the prison for royal officials (Genesis 40:3-4; Genesis 41:10-12).

Read Genesis 39:1-23. In light of the example of Joseph’s working as a manager under Potiphar, what are the factors that led to such success?

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Almost immediately, Joseph is characterized as a man of success (Genesis 39:2-3). He was so good and his master so trusted him that “all that he had he put into his hand,” and even made him “overseer over his house” (Genesis 39:4).

Joseph’s success, however, does not corrupt him. When Potiphar’s wife notices him and wants to sleep with him, Joseph unambiguously refuses and prefers to lose his job and his security rather than “do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). The woman, humiliated by Joseph’s refusal, reports falsely to her servants and to her husband that Joseph wanted to rape her. As a result, Joseph is cast into prison.

Joseph experiences here what we all have experienced: the sense of abandonment by God even though, even in this difficult time, “the LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21).

Eventually, the Lord acts, and He has an impact on Joseph’s relationship with the officer of the prison. Here, too, as in his master’s house, the Lord blesses Joseph. He is obviously a gifted man, and despite the even worse circumstances now (after all, before, he was still a slave!), he seeks to make the best of it. Whatever his gifts, however, the text makes it clear that, in the end, it was only God who brought him success. “The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper” (Genesis 39:23, NKJV). How important that all who are gifted, all who are “successful,” remember where it all comes from!

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Key Thought: Joseph is the master of dreams because he receives, understands, and interprets prophetic dreams, and also fulfills them in his life.
June 11, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 37:12-36…

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What family dynamic predisposed Joseph’s brothers to hate him so much?
3. Personal Application: Did you have a lot of competition in your family? How did you learn to get along and cooperate? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Wasn’t Joseph rash by telling his dream to his family, causing more resentment? Shouldn’t he have kept quiet about the dream and hid this in his heart instead? Was he causing more trouble with his brothers this way?’” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 38:24-26..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Do you think Judah may have been afraid to give his youngest to Tamar, because he might die also? Did he think Tamar may be cursed?
3. Personal Application: Compare Judah’s behavior with Tamar’s. Which of the two is more righteous and why? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why didn’t Tamar go directly to Judah in the first place, when his youngest son was of age, and call upon him to give her in marriage to him? Why all this trickery? How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis Genesis 39:7-11..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What are the factors that led to Joseph’s success as a manager under Potipher?
3. Personal Application: How do we deal with temptation? Can we overcome easily once, but if it is present day after day, how hard is it to reject it constantly? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why did Joseph specifically sat that to do what she asked would be a sin against God? What understanding does he show of the nature of sin and what it is?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 40:1 – 41:36..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How are the dreams of Pharoah related to the dreams of the officers? What is the importance of this parallel?
3. Personal Application: How can we learn to trust God and cling to His promises when things don’t appear to be good at all? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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The book of Genesis offers us so many vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back towards our amazing God and what He has done for each of us in creation.

Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to our week of study brings back to us our previous studies during this quarter, reiterating the great patriarchs of Genesis prior to Joseph: 
Hymn 11 – The God of Abraham Praise and
Hymn 645 – God of Our Fathers. Sunday continues looking back to Isaac who “was only a ‘stranger’ “:
Hymn 445 – I’m But a Stranger Here.

On following the example of Joseph (Monday) all will be well with our fellowmen if we ask
O For a Heart to Praise My God – Hymn 323 and
Hymn 639 – A Diligent and Grateful Heart.

The outcome for Judah and Tamar (Tuesday) shows God’s Amazing Grace – Hymn 108 and Hymn 109 – Marvelous Grace.

Wednesday shares the story of Joseph as a servant/slave in Egypt showing his trust in God. Today we are able to be a servant for our God: Hymn 256 – Ye Servants of God and Hymn 597 – Ye Servants of The Lord. “The Lord acts, and it has an impact on Joseph’s relationship with the officer of the prison. Here, too, as in his master’s house, the Lord blesses”: Hymn 195 – Showers of Blessings.

The dreams continue on Thursday, this time for the butler, the baker and Pharoah. We can request dreams in
Hymn 47 – God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven (verse 1) or not request as in
Hymn 266 – Spirit of God. One of the most beautiful aspects of our dreams is to be
Nearer My God, to Thee – Hymn 473 (verse 2). At the end of Thursday, Joseph could be found singing
I Sing the Mighty Power of God – Hymn 88.

God’s abundant blessings this quarter as we study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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