WEBVTT 00:00:06.571 --> 00:00:11.861 Let us ask the Holy Spirit's grace on the reading of God's word. 00:00:16.023 --> 00:00:23.937 God of mercy, grant that the word you speak this day will take root in our hearts and bear fruit to your honour and 00:00:23.937 --> 00:00:26.969 glory, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:00:27.630 --> 00:00:27.856 Amen. 00:00:30.143 --> 00:00:32.206 A reading from Genesis chapter 40. 00:00:33.737 --> 00:00:39.332 Sometime later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:47.714 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the 00:00:47.714 --> 00:00:51.610 guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 00:00:52.123 --> 00:00:55.072 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. 00:00:56.435 --> 00:01:04.113 After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were being held in prison, 00:01:04.530 --> 00:01:05.732 had a dream the same night. 00:01:05.797 --> 00:01:08.159 night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 00:01:09.749 --> 00:01:13.112 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 00:01:13.629 --> 00:01:19.303 So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, 'Why do you look so sad today?' 00:01:20.355 --> 00:01:23.689 'We both had dreams,' they answered, 'but there was no one to interpret them.' 00:01:24.951 --> 00:01:28.411 Then Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? 00:01:29.332 --> 00:01:30.108 Tell me your dreams.' 00:01:31.335 --> 00:01:33.032 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. 00:01:33.549 --> 00:01:39.144 'He said to him, "In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. 00:01:40.121 --> 00:01:44.229 As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 00:01:45.362 --> 00:01:51.558 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and put the cup in his hand." 00:01:53.262 --> 00:01:55.061 "This is what it means," Joseph said to him. 00:01:55.592 --> 00:01:57.263 "The three branches are three days. 00:01:58.002 --> 00:02:05.974 Within three days Pharaoh will lift your will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, 00:02:05.990 --> 00:02:07.978 just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:12.386 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness. 00:02:13.204 --> 00:02:15.817 Mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 00:02:16.570 --> 00:02:18.959 I was forcibly carried off from the land of Egypt. 00:02:19.179 --> 00:02:19.327 I do 00:02:20.878 --> 00:02:22.309 not deserve being put in a dungeon. 00:02:24.485 --> 00:02:29.619 When the baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, I too had a dream. 00:02:30.276 --> 00:02:32.411 On my head were three bunches 3 baskets of bread. 00:02:33.249 --> 00:02:39.238 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head. 00:02:40.679 --> 00:02:42.253 This is what it means, Joseph said. 00:02:42.832 --> 00:02:44.583 The 3 baskets are 3 days. 00:02:44.695 --> 00:02:51.985 Within 3 days, Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole, and the birds will eat away your flesh. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:58.128 Now the 3rd day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. 00:02:58.562 --> 00:03:03.748 He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials. 00:03:04.487 --> 00:03:09.930 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand. 00:03:11.070 --> 00:03:16.192 But he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. 00:03:17.332 --> 00:03:22.165 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. 00:03:23.665 --> 00:03:24.954 This is the word of the Lord. 00:03:26.404 --> 00:03:33.491 Thanks be to God. 00:03:33.717 --> 00:03:35.283 Let's sit with Joseph for a minute. 00:03:37.037 --> 00:03:43.952 With this story particularly, we must resist the urge to skip through the suffering and remember the triumphant ending. 00:03:45.414 --> 00:03:48.074 Let's take a moment to sit with Joseph in his suffering. 00:03:49.609 --> 00:03:57.447 He had been betrayed by his brothers, sold as a slave, wrongly accused of rape, and now he sits in 00:03:57.447 --> 00:03:57.656 prison. 00:03:58.947 --> 00:03:59.657 It's dark. 00:04:00.544 --> 00:04:01.077 He's alone. 00:04:02.964 --> 00:04:07.829 The promises God made to him are probably a faint dream compared to his reality. 00:04:09.477 --> 00:04:17.342 We don't know how long he was in prison, but we know his entire suffering process started when he was 17 until he was 30. 00:04:18.767 --> 00:04:23.177 13 years between the dream and its visible fulfillment. 00:04:24.697 --> 00:04:30.323 13 years of slavery, imprisonment, and injustice. 00:04:32.975 --> 00:04:38.177 At this point, we can already see how much suffering and trials are shaping Joseph's character. 00:04:39.215 --> 00:04:41.615 The juvenile errors of the past are being corrected. 00:04:43.076 --> 00:04:47.930 He wants to told his dreams freely and without wisdom, to the point where his father rebuked him. 00:04:49.726 --> 00:04:57.632 And also though, it's kind of natural that a 17-year-old would be pleased at the thought of great power and eminence, but that feeling of pride can 00:04:57.728 --> 00:04:59.550 produce evil and wickedness. 00:05:00.812 --> 00:05:06.608 Yet what we see here is that God refines us during seasons of waiting. 00:05:08.545 --> 00:05:10.076 What does it mean to be refined. 00:05:11.024 --> 00:05:18.685 To be refined means to undergo a process of purification where impurities are removed so that something becomes more 00:05:18.797 --> 00:05:22.507 pure, valuable, or fit for its intended purpose. 00:05:23.631 --> 00:05:28.883 The word is commonly associated with refining precious metals, especially gold and silver. 00:05:29.654 --> 00:05:36.191 When gold is refined, it is subjected to intense heat so that impurities can be separated from the metal. 00:05:37.124 --> 00:05:42.770 The heat doesn't create the gold's value, but it reveals and purifies what is already there. 00:05:44.067 --> 00:05:51.846 In scripture, refinement describes the process by which God shapes, purifies, and strengthens his people, 00:05:52.441 --> 00:05:56.363 often through trials, suffering, discipline, and waiting. 00:05:57.622 --> 00:06:00.221 Refinement doesn't mean that someone better. 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:09.642 Where God can turn the heat up and work through suffering to cultivate faith, perseverance, humility, 00:06:10.142 --> 00:06:12.358 wisdom, and greater dependence on him. 00:06:14.190 --> 00:06:21.956 The Lord sent Joseph through a refining process to prepare his character, his faithfulness, and his trust in the Lord for what 00:06:21.956 --> 00:06:23.218 God has in store for him. 00:06:24.040 --> 00:06:31.746 The heat has been turning up at this point in the story, and his imperfections his imperfections and impurities are being separated in order to 00:06:31.746 --> 00:06:34.028 prepare Joseph for what God has in store. 00:06:35.129 --> 00:06:42.801 It was in quietness, solitude, and suffering where Joseph found his true confidence and strength in the 00:06:42.801 --> 00:06:43.141 Lord. 00:06:44.914 --> 00:06:48.406 If you don't know what happens in the next chapter, here's a little spoiler alert. 00:06:48.875 --> 00:06:55.003 The next chapter takes place 2 years after this incident, and the Pharaoh has a dream that no one can interpret. 00:06:56.232 --> 00:06:56.587 interpret. 00:06:56.636 --> 00:07:03.912 Then the cupbearer remembers Joseph and his ability, and Joseph is given the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh's dream, 00:07:04.623 --> 00:07:08.650 and he's able to do so faithfully while giving God glory. 00:07:10.273 --> 00:07:15.336 But right now, where we are in the story, Joseph doesn't know that any of that is coming. 00:07:15.894 --> 00:07:19.165 He doesn't know what the finished product of refinement will be. 00:07:20.157 --> 00:07:24.635 Instead, He just knows prison and one trial after another. 00:07:25.882 --> 00:07:33.707 This process is going to continue to turn the heat up of loneliness, the friction of servitude, and the edges are 00:07:33.707 --> 00:07:34.609 being sanded off. 00:07:37.753 --> 00:07:40.603 Let's take a look at the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 00:07:41.883 --> 00:07:47.389 The chief cupbearer was an especially trusted official because he handled what Pharaoh drank drink. 00:07:47.389 --> 00:07:53.979 His responsibility likely included oversight of the royal wine supply and personally presenting drink to the king. 00:07:56.087 --> 00:07:58.406 Was an obvious danger in this. 00:07:58.811 --> 00:08:03.222 The person serving the king's drink had to be someone Pharaoh trusted. 00:08:03.867 --> 00:08:10.375 The chief cupbearer would become— is a confidant of the king and could even wield political influence. 00:08:11.114 --> 00:08:17.922 So he had regular close access to Pharaoh, which becomes very important in the next chapter. 00:08:18.902 --> 00:08:23.433 The chief baker also was an official overseer of the royal bakery. 00:08:24.188 --> 00:08:28.912 That likely means not just merely baking, but administration and supervision. 00:08:29.747 --> 00:08:35.274 A royal household would require bread and cakes and other prepared foods on a large scale. 00:08:36.158 --> 00:08:43.851 The chief baker would presumably be responsible for the operation that supplied Pharaoh's table, quality and preparation of the foods, 00:08:44.108 --> 00:08:45.312 and the staff under him. 00:08:46.115 --> 00:08:53.774 So in modern terms, both men are department heads in Pharaoh's household rather than ordinary domestic 00:08:53.838 --> 00:08:54.497 servants. 00:08:55.364 --> 00:09:03.119 So Joseph isn't just randomly thrown together with two random kitchen employees, but suddenly he has under his 00:09:03.215 --> 00:09:10.825 care two senior officials from Pharaoh's own household, one of whom has direct access to Pharaoh and will 00:09:10.873 --> 00:09:12.853 eventually stand beside Pharaoh again. 00:09:14.462 --> 00:09:18.117 There are not that many people who had that sort of privilege and power. 00:09:18.893 --> 00:09:25.335 They were the few in a position close enough to know not just Pharaoh's political life but his personal life. 00:09:26.033 --> 00:09:30.625 They would get to hear all of Pharaoh's issues and problems and dreams. 00:09:32.854 --> 00:09:40.138 Scripture never tells us what their offense was, but really they were imprisoned because God wanted them there to meet Joseph. 00:09:41.021 --> 00:09:48.674 Whatever brought them there, humanly speaking, God in his providence was bringing two men with direct access to Pharaoh into Joseph's 00:09:48.738 --> 00:09:49.139 world. 00:09:49.941 --> 00:09:57.450 And here we find God connecting Joseph to these two significant individuals, ultimately as a way of connecting Joseph to Pharaoh 00:09:58.045 --> 00:10:00.100 and thus fulfilling Joseph's calling. 00:10:01.336 --> 00:10:07.245 We see that in prison Joseph is prosperous, blessed, and given responsibilities over other prisoners. 00:10:07.839 --> 00:10:08.963 He's a trusted figure. 00:10:09.846 --> 00:10:17.778 And what stands out most about Joseph during this time is that he's growing in character, gaining wisdom, continuing to hone his administration 00:10:17.778 --> 00:10:21.776 skills, continues to grow close to the Lord, and he's growing in humbleness. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:30.274 He is being refined in character, and the prison is merely a training ground for him to prophetically interpret dreams. 00:10:32.829 --> 00:10:35.145 Now Joseph had experience with dreams. 00:10:35.809 --> 00:10:41.690 His two dreams about future greatness antagonized his family, and he was mocked as the dreamer. 00:10:42.616 --> 00:10:48.491 However, the process has brought a lot of humbling, and now he is once again confronted by two dreams. 00:10:48.915 --> 00:10:54.701 Before verse 8, we don't really see a lot of indication of him being a dream interpreter. 00:10:55.157 --> 00:10:59.297 So through God's help and wisdom, Joseph grows from dreamer to dream interpreter. 00:11:00.769 --> 00:11:06.228 And then we even see his character development when he maturely responds, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" 00:11:07.854 --> 00:11:12.491 Perhaps his ability to interpret dreams came out of his time communing with God. 00:11:13.087 --> 00:11:20.130 The closer he became to God in his time of suffering, the more in tune he became with God and the more he was able to be used by God. 00:11:21.141 --> 00:11:24.401 And if this was true of Joseph, then why can't it also be true of us? 00:11:25.782 --> 00:11:31.546 God was going to use the situation of persevere— for the perseverance of his faith. 00:11:32.525 --> 00:11:40.120 The reality is that he had to learn how to boldly speak God's message, even if the message is not particularly favorable to someone. 00:11:41.550 --> 00:11:41.598 1. 00:11:41.954 --> 00:11:49.715 This is essentially his rehearsal to be truthful to Pharaoh, because if Pharaoh wanted to, he could have killed Joseph for giving a 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:51.443 truthful interpretation of his dream. 00:11:52.925 --> 00:11:57.774 First, Joseph faces the temptation to lie to the cupbearer and baker. 00:11:58.337 --> 00:12:02.234 Imagine you meet someone who regularly hangs out with the president. 00:12:02.867 --> 00:12:06.354 You're probably not going to act weird or say something that might offend them. 00:12:06.771 --> 00:12:11.540 Instead, you're probably gonna try to be on your best behavior or maybe even tell them what they want to hear. 00:12:12.616 --> 00:12:13.547 You're gonna try to play it cool. 00:12:14.382 --> 00:12:18.621 And for Joseph, the stakes are even higher because these connections could get him out of prison. 00:12:19.199 --> 00:12:25.123 So it would have been tempting to tell both of them what they wanted to hear, especially if it meant improving their circumstances. 00:12:26.022 --> 00:12:30.936 Not only that, but it would have been a very great temptation for Joseph to take credit for God's wisdom. 00:12:31.514 --> 00:12:38.363 Instead, Instead, he learns even in prison to tell the truth even if it's difficult to hear and to give God glory first. 00:12:39.867 --> 00:12:43.177 Dreams and interpretations belong to God. 00:12:44.889 --> 00:12:52.405 Joseph was equally faithful to give a message of judgment to the baker as he was to give the message of deliverance to the cupbearer. 00:12:53.371 --> 00:12:58.401 This is the mark of a godly messenger who does not fail to bring the whole whole message of God. 00:12:59.441 --> 00:13:03.214 Joseph essentially passes the test during this rehearsal. 00:13:03.997 --> 00:13:11.163 The refinement period is showing his growth and the productivity of it, even though it's painful, but it's going to pay off in the future. 00:13:13.273 --> 00:13:18.673 Egyptian religion took dreams very seriously, and these are especially jarring visions. 00:13:19.336 --> 00:13:22.763 The men are disturbed enough by their dreams that Joseph takes notice. 00:13:23.403 --> 00:13:24.525 'Why are you sad today?' 00:13:25.824 --> 00:13:33.245 He was not consumed by his own grief and suffering and problems, and instead we see his heart towards those that he served. 00:13:34.624 --> 00:13:39.817 The dreams God gave them made sense to both men as it directly drew imagery from their professions. 00:13:40.731 --> 00:13:46.389 Joseph was bold enough to give an interpretation that could be proved right or wrong in 3 days. 00:13:47.543 --> 00:13:52.368 And in only 3 days everyone would know if he was correct or or not. 00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:57.448 Now scripture says in 3 days it's Pharaoh's birthday party and they're feasting. 00:13:58.237 --> 00:14:06.106 There were likely vast amounts of food and wine, so it makes sense that the chief cupbearer and the chief baker are remembered that day and 00:14:06.203 --> 00:14:07.143 brought out of prison. 00:14:07.949 --> 00:14:12.124 And on that day Pharaoh lifted up the heads of the cupbearer and the baker. 00:14:13.188 --> 00:14:20.022 The expression to lift one's head evokes a person looking downwards in defeat or shame as their face is 00:14:20.776 --> 00:14:23.892 lifted or raised into a more confident posture. 00:14:24.936 --> 00:14:32.388 Both men had their heads lifted up by Pharaoh, but the baker was immediately executed, exactly as Joseph had said. 00:14:33.384 --> 00:14:39.294 The cupbearer was restored to his position, the baker condemned, dying a disgraceful death. 00:14:40.049 --> 00:14:45.175 And when— within 3 days, Joseph had been proven right and proven to be a true messenger of God. 00:14:48.589 --> 00:14:56.493 Now remember what Joseph had said to the cupbearer after interpreting his dream: When all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness. 00:14:57.413 --> 00:14:59.933 Mention me to the Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 00:15:01.404 --> 00:15:07.032 At this point, we see through Joseph's life that God uses suffering and waiting to refine us. 00:15:08.196 --> 00:15:15.401 James James 1 says to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds, for the testing of our faith produces 00:15:15.514 --> 00:15:16.365 perseverance. 00:15:17.601 --> 00:15:23.012 But like, realistically, nobody wants to suffer, and pain is not something we necessarily enjoy. 00:15:24.088 --> 00:15:29.820 So it's not that Joseph was lacking in wanting to do God's will, but of course he's going to advocate for himself. 00:15:30.350 --> 00:15:33.529 He saw the opportunity for an out, and he's pleading his case. 00:15:34.586 --> 00:15:40.535 Joseph was in a constant state of suffering, and I'm sure he felt it every day, longing for it to be removed. 00:15:42.107 --> 00:15:49.978 While we don't know too much about Joseph's feelings at this point, this appeal reveals a sadness, an impatient longing for release. 00:15:50.847 --> 00:15:58.820 Joseph, with all his faith and strong connection to the Lord, could not rid himself of this desperation that plagues 00:15:58.900 --> 00:15:59.366 all of humanity. 00:16:01.117 --> 00:16:01.435 humanity. 00:16:01.552 --> 00:16:02.909 When will our suffering end? 00:16:04.337 --> 00:16:05.362 When will we be free? 00:16:06.937 --> 00:16:09.081 How much longer do I need to suffer, God? 00:16:10.338 --> 00:16:11.321 Have you forgotten me? 00:16:12.611 --> 00:16:13.901 Why are you being silent? 00:16:15.094 --> 00:16:15.755 Where are you? 00:16:17.578 --> 00:16:21.169 I'm sure everyone in this room can identify with this sort of suffering. 00:16:22.981 --> 00:16:24.081 We know God is with us. 00:16:24.825 --> 00:16:25.456 We know he's there. 00:16:26.345 --> 00:16:27.298 And yet he's silent. 00:16:28.511 --> 00:16:36.336 The trials don't stop coming, and even though we know logically to count it all joy when we go through trials, 00:16:37.646 --> 00:16:41.947 all we can feel is the devastation and the weight of our circumstances. 00:16:46.591 --> 00:16:48.767 I gave my life to Christ when I was 13. 00:16:49.449 --> 00:16:57.151 My profession was sincere, but I Unfortunately, I didn't have good discipleship or mentors around me to encourage me in my faith. 00:16:57.680 --> 00:17:04.793 So once I started high school, I sort of fell away from my relationship with the Lord, even though I was still active in church and in youth— 00:17:05.388 --> 00:17:07.057 —group. 00:17:08.101 --> 00:17:15.953 Um, over the— over those years, I became very depressed and hopeless to the point where I began to have thoughts of 00:17:15.969 --> 00:17:16.916 wanting to commit suicide. 00:17:17.821 --> 00:17:21.988 So I was a senior in high school and I was hospitalized for 2 months. 00:17:22.567 --> 00:17:27.201 I had missed a lot of school, I was failing, and I felt like my friends had abandoned me. 00:17:28.473 --> 00:17:36.036 I couldn't feel relief from the deep pain that I was experiencing, and I knew logically God was there, but I couldn't see him or feel him with me. 00:17:37.856 --> 00:17:43.185 So I thought maybe he just didn't see me or care about my suffering, which only made my suicidal thoughts worse. 00:17:44.405 --> 00:17:50.844 After weeks of being in and out of the hospital and doing outpatient programs, the doctors warned me that I was starting to run out of options. 00:17:52.016 --> 00:17:56.576 So out of desperation, I cried out to God and I asked why this was happening. 00:17:57.636 --> 00:18:04.251 I had a very angry and hurt prayer towards God, and I told him, like, I felt like you abandoned me when I needed you most. 00:18:05.198 --> 00:18:07.976 And I wanted nothing more than to be released from this prison. 00:18:09.246 --> 00:18:09.441 Amen. 00:18:10.121 --> 00:18:15.371 Nothing happened immediately after that prayer, and I remember feeling very numb and emotionless. 00:18:16.357 --> 00:18:21.113 And 3 days later, I had a dream that I was at my grandparents' church. 00:18:22.093 --> 00:18:29.720 The worship team was playing the most beautiful worship song I had ever heard, and I was so overwhelmed by tears, and I was 00:18:29.816 --> 00:18:30.766 touched by the song. 00:18:31.694 --> 00:18:35.197 And when they finished playing, I asked the pianist, I was like, wow, what song was that? 00:18:35.261 --> 00:18:36.036 That was so amazing. 00:18:36.197 --> 00:18:37.030 that touched my heart. 00:18:37.896 --> 00:18:40.574 And he kind of looked at me funny and was like, "Well, you wrote that song." 00:18:41.504 --> 00:18:45.352 And then I then heard this audible voice tell me, "This is my will for you. 00:18:45.833 --> 00:18:48.703 Your purpose in life is to serve me and to serve my church." 00:18:49.681 --> 00:18:51.718 And I woke up crying uncontrollably. 00:18:52.183 --> 00:18:53.930 And finally I had heard God. 00:18:54.331 --> 00:19:00.761 And he saw every tear out and all the pain that I had felt. 00:19:01.739 --> 00:19:04.272 I felt a huge relief of burden and freedom. 00:19:05.557 --> 00:19:09.911 And a few hours after this experience, I was like, am I crazy? 00:19:10.056 --> 00:19:11.100 Did God really just do that? 00:19:11.197 --> 00:19:13.124 Like, did He just heal everything in an instant? 00:19:13.189 --> 00:19:15.068 Like, why am I still here in this hospital? 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:23.503 And that same day as I'm having these thoughts, I got my acceptance package to the Christian university that I would go to. 00:19:24.274 --> 00:19:27.969 And I heard the same audible voice repeat to me what was in the dream. 00:19:28.692 --> 00:19:31.166 And my life changed dramatically after that. 00:19:31.247 --> 00:19:31.471 That day. 00:19:32.628 --> 00:19:35.328 And suddenly I was full of inexplicable joy. 00:19:35.938 --> 00:19:42.992 I had motivation to move forward with my life, and God was revealing himself to me in ways that blew my mind. 00:19:43.892 --> 00:19:49.499 And even though I didn't see it before, God was incredibly kind to me during the whole process. 00:19:50.158 --> 00:19:55.348 And I ended up finishing high school early, and God made it financially possible for me to go to school. 00:19:56.730 --> 00:19:59.328 God does— waste any of our suffering. 00:20:00.757 --> 00:20:03.636 He uses waiting and suffering for refinement. 00:20:05.373 --> 00:20:09.392 Isaiah 64:8 says, yet you, Lord, are our Father. 00:20:09.794 --> 00:20:12.206 We are the clay, you are the potter. 00:20:12.447 --> 00:20:14.168 We are all the work of your hand. 00:20:15.343 --> 00:20:23.089 How encouraging is it that the same hands that created the stars, the moon, and the sun, that created us too, those hands hold 00:20:24.305 --> 00:20:24.370 us. 00:20:25.015 --> 00:20:29.900 And not only do they hold us, but we're being gracefully shaped like clay by the hands of the Potter. 00:20:32.257 --> 00:20:36.290 Joseph had done nothing to deserve this kind of pain and disappointment. 00:20:36.806 --> 00:20:39.275 In fact, he did the right thing time and time and again. 00:20:40.389 --> 00:20:46.012 It's acceptable to not like the situation we're in because waiting is painful. 00:20:46.735 --> 00:20:53.031 At work, we must keep trusting that God's timing is perfect and always on time. 00:20:53.772 --> 00:20:53.869 Time. 00:20:54.456 --> 00:20:59.130 Those 13 years that Joseph spent suffering, God did not waste a single one of them. 00:21:01.387 --> 00:21:04.455 The chapter ends on an unresolved minor note again. 00:21:05.682 --> 00:21:08.912 After the cupbearer was restored, he did not do as Joseph asked. 00:21:09.884 --> 00:21:10.433 What is happening? 00:21:11.417 --> 00:21:18.923 If God perfectly curated a connection between Pharaoh and Joseph, then why did God allow the cupbearer to forget 00:21:18.977 --> 00:21:19.475 Joseph. 00:21:20.390 --> 00:21:28.216 Of course Joseph wanted to be out of prison, but if Joseph had been released out of prison then, he would have missed out on everything that God was 00:21:28.232 --> 00:21:29.469 trying to accomplish. 00:21:30.337 --> 00:21:36.250 Being released from prison would have immediately resolved the pain, but it would have dissolved his higher calling. 00:21:37.728 --> 00:21:44.846 Imagine if the cupbearer had immediately told Pharaoh about this strange, seemingly innocent man he met in prison who could interpret dreams. 00:21:44.927 --> 00:21:47.094 dreams at his birthday party. 00:21:48.074 --> 00:21:50.081 That's kind of one way to bring down the vibe of a party. 00:21:51.285 --> 00:21:58.526 If the cupbearer had remembered Joseph and tried to make a case for Joseph right then and there, the whole thing would have fallen flat. 00:21:59.072 --> 00:22:03.151 The cupbearer needed to forget in order for Joseph to be positioned rightly. 00:22:04.371 --> 00:22:09.011 At that point, Pharaoh wouldn't have cared because it wasn't relevant or important to him. 00:22:09.589 --> 00:22:12.945 So why release a this seemingly innocent nobody from prison? 00:22:13.925 --> 00:22:15.916 Surely Pharaoh had better things to do. 00:22:17.152 --> 00:22:23.398 And even more so, why would he give this random guy from prison one of the highest positions of authority in his kingdom? 00:22:24.217 --> 00:22:30.559 The cupbearer needed to remember Joseph only when he would be a valuable, relevant, and important person to Pharaoh. 00:22:31.346 --> 00:22:35.601 That's why God, in his sovereign will, made the cupbearer forget. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:42.449 There's no other explanation for someone forgetting the person who predicted your future and your salvation. 00:22:44.523 --> 00:22:45.679 Allowed the cupbearer to forget. 00:22:46.306 --> 00:22:47.768 Timing was not right yet. 00:22:48.555 --> 00:22:52.716 God was still setting the stage to fulfill his purpose for Joseph. 00:22:53.278 --> 00:22:57.168 His reasoning was hidden to Joseph, but God was still working in the background. 00:22:57.491 --> 00:23:00.207 And later, God is faithful to accomplish his promise. 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:09.611 In our our seasons of waiting, we must also remember that there are other factors going on that we're unaware of and that we must also wait 00:23:09.724 --> 00:23:10.048 for. 00:23:11.665 --> 00:23:19.411 We don't know how the timing of all the factors will play out and what factors are currently involved and at stake, but we must 00:23:19.540 --> 00:23:23.483 wait on the Lord and for his perfect timing, just as Joseph did. 00:23:24.388 --> 00:23:32.035 The Bible pleads with us to believe that this is true, even if current circumstances suggest that everything possible is turned against you. 00:23:33.069 --> 00:23:40.913 And while Joseph couldn't possibly guess as to what God was accomplishing during his time of suffering, he trusted God's promise 00:23:40.913 --> 00:23:41.865 to see him through. 00:23:42.575 --> 00:23:44.334 And the same, of course, is true for us. 00:23:47.288 --> 00:23:48.898 How do we see Jesus in this story? 00:23:49.808 --> 00:23:54.118 What I love about the Old Testament is you can literally see Jesus in every every single story. 00:23:55.577 --> 00:24:00.463 Before Jesus was crucified, he faced betrayal over and over. 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:04.015 His disciples scattered and no one stood with him. 00:24:05.513 --> 00:24:08.196 Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and employer. 00:24:08.823 --> 00:24:13.210 Joseph was innocent and was punished even though he only did what was right and pleasing to God. 00:24:14.190 --> 00:24:19.741 He didn't use his authority to make others serve him, but instead he was compassionate and served others. 00:24:20.327 --> 00:24:23.810 He was faithful and excellent even though his circumstances were heavy. 00:24:25.447 --> 00:24:30.485 He took time to put himself aside and notice the countenance of the other men in prison. 00:24:31.407 --> 00:24:35.951 Joseph's faithfulness under suffering ultimately serves God's purpose of preserving life. 00:24:36.938 --> 00:24:44.124 Jesus's faithfulness through suffering accomplishes something infinitely greater, which is the salvation of his people. 00:24:45.242 --> 00:24:47.329 Jesus is the greater Joseph. 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:53.992 An innocent man came into humanity's prison and lived our hardships and temptations. 00:24:54.622 --> 00:24:59.514 Jesus suffered unjustly, suffering worse than all, yet he never looked for our pity. 00:25:00.169 --> 00:25:04.210 And instead, in a sense, Jesus asks us, "Why do you look sad today?" 00:25:05.827 --> 00:25:09.803 And after the 3 days, Jesus too proved himself to be the true messenger of God. 00:25:09.947 --> 00:25:10.029 God. 00:25:10.869 --> 00:25:13.322 Jesus died, rose again, and was exalted. 00:25:14.979 --> 00:25:22.842 Jesus— Joseph's suffering ultimately helped preserve people from famine, but Christ's suffering and resurrection secured redemption from sin and 00:25:22.907 --> 00:25:23.149 death. 00:25:25.295 --> 00:25:27.023 And what can we take away from this story? 00:25:28.088 --> 00:25:35.251 We can understand that God uses suffering and seasons of waiting to refine our character, our faithfulness to him, and our trust in him. 00:25:36.215 --> 00:25:41.546 We see Joseph continue to grow in his skills, humbleness, administration, etc. 00:25:42.076 --> 00:25:46.893 He is undoubtedly loyal to God and trusts him even at the cost of his life. 00:25:47.792 --> 00:25:51.613 We cannot be properly refined without trust in Jesus. 00:25:52.288 --> 00:25:57.169 The building of character and perseverance of faith comes from trust in him first. 00:25:58.245 --> 00:26:01.728 If we are suffering and we don't see what God God is doing. 00:26:02.386 --> 00:26:05.835 We can be encouraged through Joseph's story that God is still at work. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.242 He has not abandoned us. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:15.766 It might take days or years, but God is faithful and doesn't waste any of our suffering. 00:26:16.745 --> 00:26:23.435 From Joseph's example, we can learn to be patient in our waiting and allow God to refine us as he sees fit. 00:26:24.606 --> 00:26:32.218 We too can trust that the God God who is sovereign, who gives and takes away, who holds us in the palm of his hands, 00:26:32.877 --> 00:26:34.629 he knows exactly what he's doing. 00:26:34.886 --> 00:26:38.180 He sees the bigger picture, and he knows the right path to take. 00:26:39.321 --> 00:26:41.747 We are merely clay in the hands of the Maker. 00:26:43.001 --> 00:26:50.939 We might be frustrated now because we don't see what he's doing, but God is always at work and is always working for the good of those 00:26:51.051 --> 00:26:51.662 who love him. 00:26:52.787 --> 00:26:56.498 God uses suffering and seasons of waiting to refine us. 00:26:58.047 --> 00:26:58.547 Let us pray. 00:27:02.507 --> 00:27:05.169 Heavenly Father, you are perfect in all of your ways. 00:27:06.153 --> 00:27:08.316 You know what is best for us and what we need. 00:27:09.607 --> 00:27:13.449 You put things in our way to refine us and make us more like Christ. 00:27:14.467 --> 00:27:16.114 Help us to ever trust you. 00:27:16.808 --> 00:27:19.191 Help us to live for your glory and to to please you. 00:27:19.995 --> 00:27:22.806 You are our rock, our helper in time of need. 00:27:24.010 --> 00:27:26.966 You count every tear we cry and store them in your bottle. 00:27:28.010 --> 00:27:35.399 You see the desperate cry of our hearts in our helpless estate, and you look at us with kindness, gentleness, and 00:27:35.415 --> 00:27:36.186 compassion. 00:27:37.182 --> 00:27:42.450 You rescue us from the deep pits of death and embrace us as a father embraces his children. 00:27:43.767 --> 00:27:49.608 We can cannot express a deeper form of gratitude from the reality of what you have saved us from. 00:27:50.346 --> 00:27:51.228 We love you, Lord. 00:27:51.453 --> 00:27:52.175 In Jesus' name,