Faithfulness Is Rewarded

                                                                    Sunday School Lesson
                                                                         January8, 2012
Lesson Focus:
God uses our devotion
for his glory
Lesson Scripture:
Genesis 41:37-45,50-52

Introduction:

Joseph served God faithfully throughout his life in spite of it's challenges.If Joseph had expressed bitterness and anger toward God,his family,and the way his life turned out, who would have blamed him?However,through it all Joseph remained loyal to God and conducted himself as a godly man under extremely trying circumstances.Joseph was brought out of prison when  Pharaoh's butler suggested Joseph would be able to interpret a disturbing dream for Pharaoh.God granted Joseph favor,and Joseph explained the dream,and advised Pharaoh how he was to save his people from the upcoming famine.Pharaoh appointed Joseph as the overseer of the survival plan.He dressed Joseph in clothing of honor and Joseph only answered to the Pharaoh.In spite of all his troubles Joseph faithfulness was graetly rewarded.

Joseph Is Rewarded with a Position
Genesis 41:37-44KJV
³⁷And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
   ³⁸And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
   ³⁹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
   ⁴⁰Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
   ⁴¹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
   ⁴²And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
   ⁴³And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
   ⁴⁴And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Footnotes:

Joseph faithfully carried out his duties in prison for two years after interpreting the cupbearers and bakers dreams.God used the fulfilment of both dreams to catapult his obediant servant into the royal court of Pharaoh.After hearing Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph told him that God had revealed what he was about to do.Joseph explained  both dreams predicted the same thing.seven years of abundant harvest through out all of Egypt,followed by seven years of severe famine.Pharaoh made Joseph his second in command, and gave him a signet ring ,a robe and a gold chain,the ring of which carried Pharaoh's seal.Joseph had the honor of riding in the chariot behind Pharaoh.God had rewarded his faithfulness to him by giving him virtually unlimited power.

Joseph Is Rewarded with His Own Family

Genesis 41:45,50-52KJV

  ⁴⁵And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

 ⁵⁰And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

   ⁵¹And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
   ⁵²And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Footnotes:

The fact that Joseph gave both his son's Hebrew names suggest that he was not Egyptianized as thoroughly perhaps as Pharaoh might have liked.Even though Joseph had gained remarkable reconition at the higest level of the royal court and given a Egyptian wife and name,he still held firmly to his Hebrew heritage and the God of his fathers throughout all the years of his life.With steadfast devotion he glorified God alone as the one who made him Lord of all Egypt.