Day 39 – Joseph & Interpreting Dreams

• Today’s passages are long but full of familiar stories and events. When you’re faced with long passages to read, settle down to read them with a mindset to enjoy them and to look forward to seeing how God was working then, and how He might speak to you now.
• Have you ever been grounded? What was the longest time, and did it feel overly harsh? What did you think about during this time? How do you think Joseph must have felt stuck in prison?
• Whilst in prison, who does Joseph meet? What dreams did they have?
• How did God help Joseph to explain the dreams that the baker and the cupbearer had? What did Joseph ask of the cupbearer in return for explaining the dream?
• Despite both the dreams coming true, exactly as Joseph had foretold, what situation did Joseph remain in as chapter 40 closes?
• Chapter 41 opens two full years later. Think what you were doing two years ago. Still in TGI, and barely in high school! Such a lot has happened since! How do you think Joseph kept his spirits up for such a long time?
• How did Joseph finally find his way out the prison? What was he brought out to do? Did he help the Pharaoh?
• Who should get the praise for the interpreting of the dreams – Joseph or God? What verses can you find to show the Joseph knew the interpretations were not from him, but from God?
• By the end of chapter 41, what position is Joseph in, and what testing event is coming soon?
• Throughout the two chapters, many years – at least nine or ten – have now passed. By the end of chapter 41, Joseph has two sons of his own. Do you think he still remembered his dad and brothers? What about the dreams he had about them – the ones we read about on day 37?
• How many things did God provide in this story? What has God provided for you? Maybe you could write down some of the good things God has given you, such as talents, or blessings, or people around you.

You know this story, don’t you! If nothing else, you at least the basics of Joseph’s life. What one or two things have you learned today you didn’t know before by spending quality time in the passage? Did you appreciate the amount of time Joseph was in prison, for example? What about Joseph’s rise to power you read about in 42:37 onwards?

On Monday we’ll find out what happens during the famine, and work out how this intriguing little “lower story” plan starts showing in the “upper story” plan of God’s salvation through His people, the Israelite nation.

By the way… Did you pray a prayer yesterday asking God to help you with some sin in your life? Maybe you didn’t – if so, then ignore this bit! But if you did… welcome to day two of life where that sin is put to death. Be strong and courageous! The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. You are stronger than that sin because you have God on your side.

Keep going!