The Story of God: The Mysterious Ways of God
July 25, 2017
Have you ever found yourself baffled by the way God works? I mean sometimes we can’t see what He is up to? Other times the way He works seems so slow. And then sometimes He does something in an instant that changes everything.
Part of the reason we are often baffled about how God works is that we expect God to work like we work. For example, we think God should work on our timetable. We pray, we wait, nothing happens. Then we think that maybe God didn’t hear our prayer quite right the first time. So we pray again and we wait some more, but again nothing happens. Pretty soon we resign ourselves to thinking that God isn’t going to answer our prayer because there is no evidence of Him doing anything about it. Nothing changes. And we tell ourselves that maybe God is saying NO to that prayer… OR we think that since we can’t see any evidence of God at work, we get disappointed with God and our faith falters. And sometimes we quit praying altogether; never considering that God’s timetable is far different than ours. We never stop to think that He really could be working to answer that prayer – but He’s just not going to do it today, or even this year, simply because God does not work on our timetable.
The truth is that God doesn’t work like we work. His timetable is different than ours; the ways He does things is often the opposite of the way we do things: and His plans for our world: well they are rarely what we think they should be. In fact, if you’ve ever been puzzled about how God works, then what we are going to look at in His Story today should be encouraging to you.
So, if you brought your Bible today, let me encourage you to turn to Genesis 41, where we finally get to see what God was up to in the life of Joseph. And as we do, we’re going to see that the way God works is nothing like the way we work. We’re going to see that God’s Timing is Not like Ours; God’s Ways are Not Our Ways; and God’s Plans… well, they are beyond our wildest dreams.
So, if you’ve found Genesis 41, lets look at the first way God works: God’s Timing is Not like Our Timing! Let’s pick up the story in verse one: “When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream” Two years have passed in the life of Joseph. Two years since Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream. Two more years lost in the darkness of Pharaoh’s prison. 13 years since Joseph had been sold into slavery. He was a forgotten man. I can only imagine how many times Joseph asked God to rescue him; or how many times Joseph asked God to remind the cupbearer to tell of his interpreting ability to Pharaoh. Maybe Joseph struggled with thinking that perhaps God had forgotten him too. But then Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. Genesis 41:1-4
He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. Genesis 41:5-7
But this was no ordinary dream. It was one of those dreams that was so vivid that Pharaoh thought it was real. That is until he woke up, and only then did he realize it was a dream. But the fact that his dream seemed so real, left him troubled. For he believed like the Pharaoh’s before him, that royal dreams were given by God. That a dream like this meant something serious was on the horizon. So we read, In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Genesis 41:8
Pharaoh was surrounded by magicians, soothsayers and wise men. And even though many of these men were so-called experts at interpreting dreams, not one of them could interpret them for Pharaoh. Not one of his learned men could ease his trouble.
Enter the cupbearer. Remember, the cupbearer? He didn’t just taste the wine for Pharaoh. He was a close confidant of Pharaoh. He knew Pharaoh well. He knew his quick temper. And he saw how the seriousness of this dream weighed on him, and all the more when no one could be found to interpret the dream. This begin to weigh on his conscious, because all of a sudden he remembered Joseph. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.” 41:9-13
With the cupbearer’s confession now we see how God’s timing makes sense. Why didn’t the cupbearer speak to Pharaoh two years ago? The timing wasn’t right. God had a plan in mind to use Joseph and give him the ear of Pharaoh. But two years ago, Pharaoh wasn’t troubled in his spirit. Two years ago, Joseph would just have been a novelty. But now, Pharaoh is all ears. He’s desperate to hear someone interpret his dream. Now, he’s in a place where he’s ready to listen to what God wants to tell him through Joseph. God’s timing is not our timing.
And Joseph’s story teaches us about God’s timing. It teaches us that just because there is no evidence of answered prayer right now, doesn’t mean that God is not working to answer your prayers. When I was in pastoring in Canada I was praying about what God wanted me to do next. In 2004, those prayers led me to return to Oregon, where I believed He wanted me to plant a church. But after arriving at that Church, they didn’t want anything to do with plant a new work. A few years later I went to a Church Planter’s boot camp to confirm if this is was how God was truly leading me. Because I still felt convinced that this is what He wanted me to do. At that boot camp, I was told that I did not have what they were looking for in a church planter. So, I accepted that as the answer to my prayer. A NO. So I thought okay, I was wrong. God doesn’t want me to plant a church.
But little did I know that God was already at work arranging things to answer that original prayer. First, he needed to work in me, and arranged my next calling so I could work alongside a gifted church planter for four years. Then he needed to arrange things here. In 2004, Robson Ranch didn’t even exist. And it would take 10 years before Robson Ranch would have the population, the facilities, and a committed core who could help make a church plant happen. And little did I know that when I got the call from my friend Randy, who had just become the District Superintendent, that this group was looking for someone 55 years plus, who could plant a church, and could play golf… that not only would I be that guy; but 6 years after I heard the NO, God had done the work in me and in this place to answer a prayer from 10 years previous. Yeah, God’s timing is not our timing.
So take heart from Joseph’s story. God might answer your prayers tomorrow, but then again, it may take 5, 10 or even 13 years. You may have given up on some of your requests. But know this: God hears your prayers. And sometimes He needs to work in you or your surroundings before He’s ready to answer. You see, God had to do His work in Joseph, and He had to do His work in Pharaoh, and when the time was right, Pharaoh was ready to hear from God through Joseph. God works in mysterious ways. His timing is not like ours. That’s what see that in Joseph’s story. But we also see this:
God’s Ways are Not Our Ways So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Genesis 41:14-15
As soon as Pharaoh hears Joseph can interpret dreams, he has him rushed into his presence. Joseph now has the full attention of Pharaoh. What an opportunity… But listen to the first words that come out of his mouth: “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16 Wow! Joseph shows both humility and faith, and literally says to Pharaoh, “God will answer the well-being of Pharaoh.” In other words, Joseph comes to Pharaoh as a messenger from God. This is a bold statement. And Pharaoh accepts. I mean, as soon as Joseph brought God into the picture, Pharaoh could have turned Joseph away. “You are just a Hebrew slave, I am god of Egypt. Don’t bring your God into this!” But what we see here is that Pharaoh is clearly open to hear from God. For he immediately tells Joseph his dream: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.” Genesis 41:19-21
“In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.” Genesis 41:17-24
Now in this retelling of the dream, Pharaoh reveals something about the troubling nature of his heart, by adding the phrase: I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. This personal remark reveals not only his fear, but his powerlessness. Pharaoh, who is considered to be a god is repulsed and rendered powerless by what he’s seen. He is now eager to hear God’s interpretation. So Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.” Genesis 41:25-27
“It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.” Genesis 41:28-32
And then Joseph does something quite remarkable. He gives Pharaoh advice in light of God’s foreboding prediction. “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.” Genes 41:33-34
“And now let Pharaoh” With these wise words Joseph appeals to Pharaoh’s authority and does not promote himself. But at the same time Joseph risks everything by offering this unsolicited advice. He has revealed God’s will: A famine will surely come. And it will be devastating. It has the potential to ruin Egypt. But here’s how you can prepare for it. What audacity. What faith. Joseph has no fear of Pharaoh. He’s standing before the most intimidating leader of the world at that time, and he’s not intimidated. He’s my hero! He is so confident of God’s interpretation that he speaks to Pharaoh with a God-fueled authority. And Pharaoh is listening. As soon as he started offering this advice, Pharaoh could have put it to a halt. But he didn’t. He believes Joseph speaks for God. And so Joseph continues: They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” Genesis 41:35-36
The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39-40
God’s ways are not our ways. Joseph, a foreigner comes to Egypt as a slave. He’s nothing, a no body. But then he rises to prominence in the house of Potiphar, and God’s hand is on everything Joseph does. But then he is falsely accused and thrown in the Pharaoh’s prison. Then because God’s favor is still on him in prison, he’s given responsibility over all the other prisoners. One of those prisoners was Pharaoh’s cupbearer. While in prison he interprets the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer. Now two years later, Joseph, this Hebrew slave and convicted sex-offender stands before Pharaoh and speaks God’s Word to Pharaoh and gives him God’s way to avert disaster with the coming famine. God’s ways are not our ways. God works in mysterious ways.
You see, we can forget that God rules the nations. We can forget that no man or no country is greater than God. Sure, nations may act as if there is no God. G8 Summits can take place every year as if the fate of the world is in the hands of politicians. But at the end of the day, the fate of the world is in the hands of a Sovereign God. He is the one who lifts men to positions of power. He is the one who makes nations rise and fall. Therefore, he can take a slave prisoner and exalt him to the highest office in one of the most powerful nations in the world! God’s ways are not our ways.
And finally, God’s Plans are Not Our Plans verse 41… 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 people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:44-45
Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. Genesis 41:46-49
Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:50-52
How cool is this! Not in his wildest dreams could Joseph had imagined all this! He is now second in command of all Egypt. He gets a new wardrobe, the keys to a new Escalade, an entourage, a new name that means “God speaks and lives.” Pharaoh gives him carte-blanch to call the shots, he gives him a new wife from the nobility of Egypt. And then two sons are born to him, Manasseh and Ephraim. And what I love about all of this, in naming his Ephraim Joseph recognizes the source of all his good fortune. “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
God has been faithful to Joseph. He never left him. And when the time was right, he gifted Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams, supernatural wisdom, statesmanship and discernment. All so God could put Joseph in the place where is now able to help not only Egypt, but Israel. God’s plans are not our plans. He works in mysterious ways.
And that’s good news to us. The circumstances of your life may not make sense to you right now. You may feel like the forgotten man or woman, like Joseph. But if we can glean anything from his story today, it’s this: God is not done with what He wants to do with you. In fact, if we are starting to get the hint behind the story of God, it’s this: God is still writing His story, and He has a part for you to play in it. Sometimes, we just can’t see the part we play. Sometimes, we can’t tell where the story is going. But imagine what He may have yet in store for you! So be encouraged. Trust God. He works in mysterious ways .But the good news is that He is still at work. And His story… His plan includes you!
MIKE and Gi Hall says
I always love to hear about Joseph story . Thank you . We hope to meet and worship together with you soon .We are building the house now at N Bryce Canyon Drive ,it will be closed in October, so we see you soon .
MIKE and Gi Hall .
Larry says
Thanks so much! We are thrilled you were blessed at Rock Springs on Sunday. It was good to meet you briefly as well. When you come back in October you will get an even better feel for our congregation as so many are away in the summer months. I’ve added you to our mailing list so you can get our summer email updates. I look forward to seeing you in October!
Pastor Larry
Layne Jones says
Thanks for this great message. Jeff and I have been enjoying our Sunday mornings listening to your past sermons. This one brings to mind how God’s plan for Courtney and Austin were made possible with your 10 year old prayer…leading you and Becky to Robson and then Courtney to AZ after graduation. And your extended family grows.