DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31 || Joseph’s Interpretation of Dreams And His Elevation

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth Lesson 31

YOUTH STS LESSON 31 – JOSEPH’S INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS AND HIS ELEVATION 

TEXT: Genesis 40:1-23; 41:1-57

MEMORY VERSE: “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of. peacepeace” (Genesis 41′.15, 16).

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth MESSAGE

Joseph was imprisoned for an offence he did not commit. While in prison, his character shone. He carried out his prison duties with distinguished faithfulness. Adversity could not break his spirit or change his character. In him was fulfilled the Scriptures: “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger” (Job 17:9).

Today’s teaching exemplifies what God does to Christian youth who remains faithful and dogged to God’s inspired instructions. God’s presence with Joseph endeared him to the prison keeper who appointed him chief prisoner. He charged him with the care and welfare of other inmates to uphold prison orders. In the process of time, Pharaoh’s Chief Butler and Baker were remanded in the prison where Joseph was and their welfare was also committed to Joseph.

Joseph interpreted their dreams which they had the same night with precision. The Butler was later restored to his duties while the Baker was executed. As Scripture shows, no youth should consider himself too small to be used of God to save or bring salvation to anybody no matter how highly placed. Wherever we find ourselves — schools and communities, we are there by the grace of God.

The Butler later remembered Joseph When Pharaoh had a confusing dream, and was troubled for lack of an interpreter. He informed Pharaoh about Joseph when Pharaoh called for him. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream with utmost meekness, confidence, with ingenious counsel on vital steps to bring the positive scene of Pharaoh’s dream to reality.

Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph and so elevated, empowered and commissioned him for the task. “A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth” (Proverbs 17:8). Many youths tend to forget God when an expectation is not met immediately; but not Joseph. He waited for God’s time and plan for his life. (DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31)

JOSEPH INTERPRETS THE PRISONERS’ DREAMS (Genesis 40:1-23; Job 33: 14-17; Isaiah 8:20)

Despite the evidence of Joseph’s integrity and moral uprightness, Potiphar still confined him to prison, probably to protect his wife. Yet, Joseph took orders from him, maintained a godly character and hoped for God’s deliverance (Genesis 49:22-44; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:12).

Christian youths are encouraged to maintain godly character despite injustice, oppressions and persecutions. Pharaoh’s Chief Baker and Butler were sent to prison for offending their master. They were kept in the prison where Joseph was. The imprisonment of these two key officers of Pharaoh showed the danger of transgression. “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered” (Proverbs 11:21).

If earthly kings could imprison their nobles for errors, how much more should all mortals tremble before the King of kings and Creator of heaven and earth who alone has power to kill the body and damn the soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). The two Servants would have been very concerned about Pharaoh. It was, therefore, not a surprise that they dreamt dream.

Although God sometimes communicates his mind through dreams (Job 33:14-16), yet, dreams at times could be unreliable and misleading as a means of guidance. Hence, proper interpretation and substantiation by the scripture is required (Ecclesiastes 5:3,7; Jeremiah 23:28,29; Isaiah 8:20). It is not advisable for Christian youths to base their actions and activities on dreams alone. (DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31)

Question 1: What should be the Christian youth’s attitude to dreams, and what caution should be exercised about it?

Pharaoh’s officers became sorrowful for lack of an interpreter. Joseph, as his manner was, visited them in the morning and discerned their depressed conditions. Joseph’s commitment to his duties in prison despite the unfair treatment meted on him by his master is worthy of emulation.

Question 2: What can Christian youths learn from the disposition of Joseph while in prison?

Unlike many Christian youths, Joseph was neither proud or self-conscious for interpreting the dreams of such noble people in the prison, but still went about his duties despite bitter tormenting thoughts of his predicaments with a cheerful countenance (Proverbs 15:13). Joseph’s disposition is associated with forgiving offenders; a quality also demonstrated by our Lord Jesus (Mark 6:20-24; Luke 23:39-43).

“And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you”. (Genesis 40:7,8).

There are salient lessons for all Christian youths to learn from Joseph. First, his compassion and tenderness towards his fellow prisoners won their confidence to narrate their dreams to him. Christian youths are to be tender and compassionate toward sinners in pitiable conditions in our schools and fellowships to enhance their receptivity of the gospel. (DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31)

Second, Joseph pointed them to God as the sole interpreter of dreams. Third, he interpreted the dreams without altering the positive message for the Butler or the negative message for the Baker. Christian youths must be faithful as stewards of the manifold grace of God, deliver the full gospel content without adding or removing (1 Corinthians 4: 1,2).

“And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did not the Chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him” (Genesis 40:21-23).

JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAMS (Genesis 41:1-36; Deuteronomy 29:29; Daniel 2:27,28; Job 33:14,15,23,24)

God allowed two full years to pass after Joseph interpreted the Chief Butler and Baker’s dreams. Not until after this did Pharaoh have his dream that demanded Joseph’s interpretation. The Chief Butler forgot Joseph because man can only remember us for good only when it is God’s time (Psalm 118:8,9). (DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31)

God also wanted Joseph to be perfectly moulded in the prison before the next task that will bring him to national prominence. God sometimes allow adversity in his preparatory scheme for vessels for His project (Psalm 66:10-12) especially youths with promising destinies. Pharaoh had a dream.

The dream, a mystery to him, held salient keys about imminent seasons of prosperity and famine for Egypt. The dream required interpretation for Pharaoh to know what to do for Egypt’s economic safety. The dream was sent by God both to save and elevate Joseph (Genesis 41:25), Pharaoh was troubled by the dream as nobody in Egypt could interpret it.

Then the Chief Butler remembered his encounter with Joseph in prison. He mentioned him to Pharaoh who quickly sent for Joseph. “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). Pharaoh welcomed Joseph on the basis of his credentials by the Butler.

However, Joseph’s quality of character was evident as he responded to Pharaoh’s compliment, “And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41 : 16). Christian youths, even in time of challenges can be source of blessings both to their fellow youths and adults in the society. (DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31)

Question 3: Why does God speak through dreams especially to the heathen?

Joseph pointed to God as the sole possessor of knowledge that provides peace. The process with which Joseph interpreted the initial dream was still evident in his discourse with Pharaoh. It shows absolute faith and confidence in God, humility and an embodiment of consistency. Joseph interpreted the message to the understanding of the dreamer with the intended message clearly understood by him (Mark 4:11).

However, God speaks to heathen (kings or subjects) and the ignorant in coded language: one, to humble them and lead them to an interpreter (God’s messenger) who would unveil God’s message of salvation (Job 33: 14, 15, 23, 24). Two, to reveal His sovereignty over the universe as the ultimate Judge and sole-owner (Genesis 20:1-7; 41:25; Daniel 2:28,29; 4:32).

Three, to warn the heathen and the ignorant of the dangers of sin and God’s fierce judgment (Genesis 20:7; Job 33:4; Daniel 4:4-33).

Four, to restrain the ignorant from his purpose (Genesis 20:4-7; Job 33:15-17; Matthew 1:18-21; 2:12). Five, God may speak through a dream to a ruler if he has a role to play in His scheme of events (Genesis15:13,14; Daniel 2:31-45).

Question 4: Mention the three essentials in Joseph’s interpretation and counsel.

As Pharaoh narrated his dream, it is noteworthy that Joseph immediately had a deep insight of the dream and the interpretation through the assistance of God’s spirit (Genesis 41:38; Job 32:7-9; Isaiah 11:2,3; Daniel 5:11,12; John 16: 13; Acts 1:8).

Christian youths should see reasons early conversion is of utmost necessity in our schools and fellowships. Joseph had a long history of dreams and dream interpretation. We have greater privileges today through the Holy Spirit to help the world of sinful men and Women. Joseph emphasised three cardinal things in the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream.

One, that seven years of agricultural fruitfulness were imminent in Egypt. Two, another seven years of severe famine and devastation would immediately follow. Three, the need for a serious—minded leader to manage the agricultural potentials of Egypt to store food against the years of famine to guarantee food security.

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31

JOSEPH’S ELEVATION BY PHARAOH (Genesis 41:37-57; Proverbs 10:4; 12:24; 22:29)

Pharaoh and his servants were pleased with Joseph’s interpretation of the dream and wise counsel. The dream did not only convey the imminence of two challenging seasons but spelt out responsibilities and need for serious-minded leadership. It was therefore not a surprise to hear Pharaoh say to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Genesis 41:38).

In the language of Pharaoh, no man was better qualified for the job than the man that God had given the insight. God’s fashioned men are always better people – Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Paul, Peter etc. Joseph was elevated to the position of a ruler in Egypt. “Thou shall be over my house, and according unto thy words shall my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (Genesis 41:40).

This event in Joseph’s life teaches Christian youths the following: First, God reigns in the affairs of men, and gives the kingdom to whom He wills. Second, when we cooperate with God as clay in the potter’s hand, He fashions us to be enviable vessels.

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31

Question 5: Mention some success sterling qualities in Joseph and how would you apply them to the task of soul-winning.

Joseph did not waste time celebrating his elevation. Being conscious of time constraint; first, he surveyed through the land obviously to identify men, materials and methods to achieve his mission. Second, he made and selected workers, shared the vision, and empowered them to the task.

Third, he designed strategies for sowing, harvests and storage both in design and in the fields. “And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much until he left numbering; for it was without number” (Genesis 41:49). Four, when the famine eventually came as envisioned, the nation was cushioned from the effects. Five, other nations benefited from his industry and prudence.

Six, despite the hard task, he had a stable family and was blessed with children. The gospel work demands no less commitment, We must enlist, train workers and foster cohesive leadership through soul-winning and discipleship with consciousness of the urgency of our task.

DCLM Search The Scripture 7 August 2022 for Youth || Lesson 31