Introduction : From the viewpoint of humanity, Christianity is very paradoxical. In other words, from man´s viewpoint, Christianity looks like a failure, but in reality it is a success, a misfortune but happiness, grief but joy, bad news but good news, and impossible but possible. If we have clear dreams and put our faith in God, He works and performs the creative, tremendous miracle of the great reversal.
1. Joseph´s dream and faith. 1) Joseph´s dream (Ge 37:7-11). 2) Joseph´s faith. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, of our dreams (Heb 11:1; Ro 8:24,25).
2. Joseph became a slave from a precious son. His older brothers betrayed him (Ge 37:18-20). 1) He met Midianite merchants at the crossroads of life and death (Ge 37:28). If God´s people take hold of dreams and faith, God works (Jn 2:28). 2) He became a slave for Potiphar, the captain of the guard. God was with him. (1) He was put in charge of Potiphar´s household (Ge 39:4,5). (2) The love and revenge of Potiphar´s wife. Here also God was with him (Ge 39:9,10, 17-20).
3. The darkest days. 1) He became a prisoner in custody in the house of the captain of the guard (Ge 39:21-23). 2) A strange relationship - interpreting the dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker (Ge 40:5-19, 20-23). 3) Two years of severed time.
4. God´s revealed providence. 1) Pharaoh´s dream and interpretation (Ge 41:1-14). 2) The prime minister of Egypt (Ge 41:25,32). A historic event that a slave became prime minister (Ge 41:37-41). 3) During seven years of famine, Joseph´s brothers bowed down to him (Ge 42:5,6).
Conclusion : All the grief, misfortune, despair, failure, and mental and physical trouble that Joseph had suffered for 13 years ended this way, namely, in a happy way (Ge 50:15-20; Ro 8:28).
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