Sunday School Lesson 1-8-12

Passage: Genesis 41:37-45 and 50-52

Genesis 41:37

King James Version (KJV)

 ³⁷And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
v. 37 Pharaoh was pleased with the interpretation of his dreams. He knew Joseph was speaking the truth.

Genesis 41:38

King James Version (KJV)

 ³⁸And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

v. 38 Pharaoh recognized the power of God, even if he was not a believer himself. Pharaoh knew he could not trust his own advisers, but felt lead to trust Joseph, who was still a prisoner in jail.

Genesis 41:39

King James Version (KJV)

 ³⁹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

v. 39 Pharaoh mentions Joseph's discreetness and wisdom. The trait Joseph earned through his hardships in slavery and prison.

Genesis 41:40

King James Version (KJV)

 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.
v. 40 Pharaoh granted Joseph much power in Egypt. This parallels many parts of Joseph's past: his favor with his father and favor with Potiphar, but the difference now is that Joseph is both wiser and a more seasoned believer.

Genesis 41:41

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁴¹And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

v.41 Pharaoh explains the full extent of Joseph's new position and power.

Genesis 41:42

King James Version (KJV)

 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;

v. 42 Pharaoh demonstrated his trust by giving Joseph his royal ring, royal robes and gold chain. These articles were valuable by themselves but the true value came from the power and favor it denoted given to Joseph.

Genesis 41:43

King James Version (KJV)

 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.

v.43 When Pharaoh presented himself to the public, Joseph was his "right-hand man" riding in a chariot right behind Pharaoh's and making sure the public and all royal officials knew to "bow" and "make way" for this new leader.

Genesis 41:44

King James Version (KJV)

 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.

v. 44 The power Pharaoh gave Joseph included giving Joseph reign over the workers of the land.

Genesis 41:45

King James Version (KJV)

 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.

v. 45 Pharaoh re-named Joseph and gave him a wife.

Genesis 41:45

King James Version (KJV)

 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.

v. 50 Joseph had 2 sons

Genesis 41:51

King James Version (KJV)

 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.

v. 51 Joseph names his first son Manasseh as a dedication to God.

Genesis 41:52

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁵²And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

v. 52 Joseph names his second son Ephraim as a dedication to God.