1

God made Joseph, who was sold into slavery, a prime minister

2

Bible verse : Genesis 41:41-43 (NIV)

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.“

Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger.

He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

3

In ancient times, the king of Egypt was called Pharaoh. At that time, he was revered as a god-like being by the Pharaohs.

He had so much power that he could make anything happen as long as he said it.

4

One of the Pharaohs of Egypt had a dream. Pharaoh was standing by the Nile River in Egypt. At that time, seven fat and beautiful cows came up and were eating grass comfortably by the river. The sight was truly peaceful.

5

After some time, seven thin and ugly cows came up from the river. The cows suddenly rushed at the fat and healthy cows.

The seven ugly, thin cows ate up all the fat, healthy cows.

6

Pharaoh woke up startled by the shocking sight he had seen in his dream. He thought it was a strange dream and went back to sleep. When he fell asleep,

he had another dream. This time, seven very plump ears grew from one branch.

7

While he was looking at the heads of grain, another head of grain sprouted from one of the branches. The seven ears of grain that came out the second time looked completely different from the ones he first saw.

The ears were thin and ugly because of the wind blowing from the east.

8

However, the thin ears quickly caught and ate up the 7 fat, plump ears.
The Pharaoh was startled and woke up from his sleep after seeing the scene.
The Pharaoh remembered the dream he had last night very vividly. Pharaoh wanted to know the meaning of the dream.

9

Pharaoh gathered all the wise people in the country who were good at interpreting dreams. He told them in detail about the dream he had last night. But not one of them could interpret the king's dream.

10

Pharaoh was disappointed because he could not solve his dream.

At that time, the servant who was offering wine beside the king said to Pharaoh. “Your Majesty, when I was in prison, there was a Hebrew boy who interpreted my dreams. The boy interpreted my dream so well that I was by the king’s side again.” When Pharaoh heard this, he immediately ordered the boy to be brought to him.

11

They brought the boy out of prison, put him in clean clothes, shaved off his beard, and brought him before the king. Pharaoh said to the boy: “I had a dream, but no one could interpret it. I heard that you know how to interpret dreams.

Can you interpret my dreams?”

12

After hearing Pharaoh’s words, the boy said to the king. “I don’t have the ability to interpret dreams. But the Almighty God, whom I believe in, will enable me to interpret your dream for you.”

 When he heard this, he told the boy about the dream he had had.

13

God gave this boy the ability to interpret the king’s dream.

The boy began to interpret the king's dream. “It’s the same dream.

The seven fat cows and the seven plump ears of grain mean that Egypt will have a good harvest for the next seven years.

The seven lean cows and seven withered ears of grain represent the seven years of famine that will follow.”

God showed Pharaoh what would happen to Egypt through a dream.

14

Pharaoh asked the boy again who interpreted his dream accurately.

“Then what should we do?” “The king will appoint a very wise man to collect and manage the grain during the seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine. Then the people of Egypt will be safe during the seven years of famine.”

15

This boy who revealed the dream to King Pharaoh is Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was sold as a slave in Egypt. King Pharaoh realized that Joseph, with whom God was with, was the person who would save Egypt, and made Joseph the prime minister of Egypt on the spot. “I don’t think there is anyone in this country as wise as you.

I entrust my palace to you. All the people will obey you. From now on, the only person higher than you is me. I appoint you as Prime Minister of Egypt.”

16

Pharaoh took the king's signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph. He dressed Joseph in fine clothes and placed him in the king's next best carriage.

And all the officials and people bowed their heads before Joseph.

God gave Joseph, who had been sold as a slave, the ability to become prime minister of the great nation of Egypt.

17

Joseph was hated by his evil brothers and suffered the pain of being sold as a slave in Egypt. He was also wrongfully imprisoned after being framed by the wife of the master he served. But nothing could break Joseph, who was with God.

God gave him the ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, allowing him to become prime minister of Egypt in one fell swoop.

We too believe in Jesus and become children of God. God is always with us as

His children. I hope you remember Joseph when you face difficult times in your life. God who was with Joseph will be with you and give you victory.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)