Joseph #4—God Remembers (Sermon)_transcript.md

[0.00 --> 13.12] So this morning we continue our study, our study, our series on the story of Joseph in the latter part of the book of Genesis. [13.12 --> 23.94] This is the fourth installment. I hope you've been following along with the first three, but even if you haven't been able to, I'm sure that today's message will still make sense to you. [23.94 --> 33.98] And the scripture reading this morning is from Genesis 40, and then also Genesis 41, but not the entire chapter. [33.98 --> 40.68] So it's a fairly long reading this morning, but we've got to get the whole story, right? [40.84 --> 43.78] So here goes, Genesis 40, beginning at verse 1. [43.86 --> 50.82] We read that sometime later, that is after Joseph had been in prison because of Potiphar's wife, [50.82 --> 57.64] Sometime later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. [58.34 --> 62.82] Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, [63.46 --> 70.76] and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard in the same prison where Joseph was confined. [71.76 --> 75.20] The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. [75.20 --> 82.20] After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, [82.32 --> 85.82] who were being held in prison, had a dream the same night. [86.52 --> 89.18] And each dream had a meaning of its own. [90.24 --> 93.78] When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. [94.34 --> 98.50] And so he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, [98.50 --> 100.62] Why do you look so sad today? [101.84 --> 105.66] We both had dreams, they answered, but there was no one to interpret them. [106.58 --> 110.60] Then Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? [111.36 --> 112.34] Tell me your dreams. [113.16 --> 115.42] So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. [115.50 --> 120.98] He said to him, In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches. [121.56 --> 126.40] As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. [126.40 --> 131.94] It says, Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, [132.06 --> 133.60] and put the cup in his hand. [135.72 --> 137.78] This is what it means, Joseph said to him. [138.44 --> 140.34] The three branches are three days. [141.80 --> 146.98] Within three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, [147.42 --> 153.58] and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. [153.58 --> 159.78] But when all goes well with you, remember me, and show me kindness. [160.34 --> 162.90] Mention me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison. [163.40 --> 167.20] I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here, [167.56 --> 171.10] I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon. [171.10 --> 178.26] When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, [179.04 --> 180.10] I too had a dream. [180.88 --> 183.28] On my head were three baskets of bread. [184.14 --> 187.18] In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, [187.46 --> 190.46] but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head. [190.46 --> 194.42] This is what it means, Joseph said. [195.28 --> 197.22] The three baskets are three days. [198.02 --> 204.50] Within three days, Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole, [204.88 --> 208.00] and the birds will eat away your flesh. [209.30 --> 213.28] Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. [213.64 --> 218.42] He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials. [218.42 --> 221.50] He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, [221.70 --> 224.64] so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand, [224.86 --> 230.66] but he impaled the chief baker just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. [231.74 --> 237.90] The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph. [238.90 --> 241.02] He forgot him. [243.88 --> 246.76] When two full years had passed, [246.76 --> 250.00] Pharaoh had a dream. [251.44 --> 252.66] He was standing by the Nile, [252.76 --> 254.92] and out of the river there came up seven cows, [255.08 --> 256.46] sleek and fat, [256.66 --> 258.52] and they grazed among the reeds. [259.16 --> 260.70] After them, seven other cows, [260.92 --> 261.94] ugly and gaunt, [262.04 --> 263.14] came up out of the Nile [263.14 --> 265.32] and stood beside those on the riverbank. [265.68 --> 268.24] And the cows that were ugly and gaunt [268.24 --> 270.66] ate up the sleek, fat cows. [271.66 --> 273.20] Then Pharaoh woke up. [273.20 --> 276.40] He fell asleep again and had a second dream. [276.76 --> 277.76] Seven heads of grain, [277.90 --> 278.70] healthy and good, [278.96 --> 280.44] were growing on a single stalk. [280.88 --> 281.42] After them, [281.56 --> 283.38] seven other heads of grain sprouted, [283.60 --> 285.56] thin and scorched by the east wind. [286.10 --> 288.78] The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, [289.02 --> 289.58] full heads. [290.28 --> 291.60] Then Pharaoh woke up. [292.28 --> 293.24] It had been a dream. [294.30 --> 295.06] In the morning, [295.46 --> 296.76] his mind was troubled. [297.14 --> 300.14] So he sent for all the magicians and the wise men of Egypt. [300.14 --> 301.86] Pharaoh told them his dreams, [301.98 --> 303.74] but no one could interpret them for him. [305.04 --> 306.86] Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, [307.58 --> 311.44] Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. [312.56 --> 314.56] Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, [314.68 --> 316.34] and he imprisoned me and the chief baker [316.34 --> 318.42] in the house of the captain of the guard. [318.86 --> 321.04] Each of us had a dream the same night, [321.26 --> 323.36] and each dream had a meaning of its own. [324.02 --> 326.02] Now a young Hebrew was there with us, [326.06 --> 327.74] a servant of the captain of the guard. [327.74 --> 329.44] We told him our dreams, [329.76 --> 331.30] and he interpreted them for us, [331.68 --> 334.26] giving each man the interpretation of his dream, [334.50 --> 338.02] and things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us. [338.78 --> 340.62] I was restored to my position, [341.12 --> 343.10] and the other man was impaled. [344.48 --> 346.38] So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, [346.66 --> 348.48] and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. [348.70 --> 350.60] When he had shaved and changed his clothes, [350.78 --> 352.08] he came before Pharaoh. [352.60 --> 353.92] Pharaoh said to Joseph, [353.92 --> 355.26] I had a dream, [355.78 --> 357.26] and no one can interpret it, [357.68 --> 359.04] but I have heard it said of you [359.04 --> 360.24] that when you hear a dream, [360.48 --> 361.64] you can interpret it. [362.58 --> 363.76] I cannot do it. [364.50 --> 365.84] Joseph replied to Pharaoh, [366.42 --> 368.08] I cannot do it, [368.60 --> 370.70] but God will give Pharaoh [370.70 --> 372.88] the answer he desires. [373.84 --> 376.08] We're now moving on to verse 25 in the chapter. [376.08 --> 377.78] Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, [378.24 --> 380.90] The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. [380.90 --> 382.88] God has revealed to Pharaoh [382.88 --> 384.24] what he is about to do. [385.04 --> 387.00] The seven good cows are seven years, [387.32 --> 389.94] and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. [390.32 --> 391.94] It is one and the same dream. [392.76 --> 394.24] The seven lean, ugly cows [394.24 --> 396.16] that came up afterward are seven years, [396.42 --> 398.52] and so are the seven worthless heads of grain [398.52 --> 399.80] scorched by the east wind. [400.16 --> 402.34] They are seven years of famine. [403.58 --> 405.50] It is just as I said to Pharaoh. [405.94 --> 407.32] God has shown Pharaoh [407.32 --> 408.88] what he is about to do. [408.88 --> 411.32] Seven years of great abundance [411.32 --> 413.26] are coming throughout the land of Egypt, [413.68 --> 415.46] but seven years of famine [415.46 --> 416.40] will follow them. [417.28 --> 418.98] Then all the abundance in Egypt [418.98 --> 420.18] will be forgotten, [420.54 --> 422.58] and the famine will ravage the land. [422.88 --> 423.98] The abundance in the land [423.98 --> 425.08] will not be remembered [425.08 --> 426.96] because the famine that follows it [426.96 --> 428.10] will be so severe. [429.02 --> 431.06] The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh [431.06 --> 432.08] in two forms [432.08 --> 432.94] is that the matter [432.94 --> 435.26] has been firmly decided by God, [435.52 --> 438.16] and God will do it soon. [438.88 --> 442.26] And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning [442.26 --> 443.28] and wise man [443.28 --> 445.52] and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. [445.78 --> 448.40] Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land [448.40 --> 450.58] to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt [450.58 --> 452.62] during the seven years of abundance. [453.16 --> 454.86] They should collect all the food [454.86 --> 456.36] of these good years that are coming, [456.78 --> 459.18] store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh [459.18 --> 461.58] to be kept in the cities for food. [462.06 --> 464.38] This food should be held in reserve [464.38 --> 465.12] for the country [465.12 --> 467.66] to be used during the seven years of famine [467.66 --> 469.26] that will come upon Egypt [469.26 --> 470.70] so that the country [470.70 --> 473.18] may not be ruined by the famine. [474.40 --> 476.46] The plan seemed good to Pharaoh [476.46 --> 478.12] and to all his officials. [478.84 --> 480.24] So Pharaoh asked him, [480.80 --> 483.24] Can we find anyone like this man, [483.72 --> 485.52] one in whom is the Spirit of God? [485.52 --> 488.26] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, [488.90 --> 491.04] Since God has made all this known to you, [491.28 --> 494.56] there is no one so discerning and wise as you. [494.70 --> 496.56] You shall be in charge of my palace, [496.72 --> 499.88] and all my people are to submit to your orders. [500.42 --> 502.26] Only with respect to the throne [502.26 --> 505.26] will I be greater than you. [505.84 --> 507.88] This is the word of the Lord. [507.88 --> 515.34] It is those devastating, [515.86 --> 518.56] crushing three words [518.56 --> 521.54] that come at the end of chapter 40. [522.94 --> 524.60] He forgot him. [525.60 --> 527.56] That remind me of a story [527.56 --> 529.34] about an experience which, [529.52 --> 531.00] if it has ever happened to you, [531.88 --> 534.24] you are not likely ever to forget. [534.24 --> 538.12] It happened to an older colleague of mine, [538.84 --> 540.34] Tony DeJager, now deceased, [540.88 --> 542.62] back in the 1960s [542.62 --> 545.42] while he was a pastor in Sarnia, Ontario, [546.06 --> 547.58] on a hot summer day. [548.38 --> 551.16] He decided to give his wife a break [551.16 --> 552.62] and take their six sons, [553.18 --> 555.72] ages 2 to 14, to the beach. [556.80 --> 558.52] Loading them in a station wagon [558.52 --> 560.06] together with some friends, [560.14 --> 561.38] they made lots of noise, [561.64 --> 562.82] they had lots of fun, [562.82 --> 564.18] and hours later, [564.50 --> 565.58] they drove home again, [565.88 --> 567.14] and they got about halfway [567.14 --> 568.64] when one of his boys [568.64 --> 570.42] shouted above all the noise, [570.82 --> 572.90] hey, dad, where's Ted? [575.70 --> 577.46] Instant panic. [578.44 --> 580.96] The youngest son had been forgotten. [581.78 --> 582.88] Left at the beach, [583.46 --> 585.34] dad made a screeching U-turn, [585.72 --> 587.62] ignored all posted speed limits [587.62 --> 589.44] and stop signs where possible, [589.82 --> 591.76] arrived breathless at the beach. [592.82 --> 593.86] And there was Ted, [594.96 --> 596.26] still sitting, playing, [596.46 --> 598.60] at the same spot they had left him. [599.28 --> 600.68] He'd never even noticed [600.68 --> 602.14] his family's absence. [605.02 --> 607.16] If that happened to you as a parent, [608.16 --> 611.00] I doubt that you would have reacted [611.00 --> 613.40] any differently than Ted's dad. [613.40 --> 619.18] But suppose that when he discovered Ted missing, [620.02 --> 621.56] he would have calmly said, [622.88 --> 623.40] oh well, [624.04 --> 625.38] no need to hurry. [626.14 --> 627.54] I have five other sons. [627.66 --> 628.92] What's one more or less? [631.54 --> 632.52] Can you imagine? [632.52 --> 637.50] And yet, I think there are times [637.50 --> 640.70] when we wonder if that is not [640.70 --> 644.02] how our Heavenly Father feels about us. [645.62 --> 646.56] Little Ted, [646.78 --> 648.02] one among six, [648.98 --> 650.92] did not realize he had been forgotten. [650.92 --> 653.56] But haven't you, [653.56 --> 656.20] one among seven billion plus [656.20 --> 658.08] currently living on earth, [658.46 --> 661.20] never mind the billions and billions more [661.20 --> 663.34] who have lived and died in history, [663.74 --> 665.26] each person unique, [665.66 --> 668.00] each person with his or her own story, [668.64 --> 671.40] haven't you ever felt forgotten [671.40 --> 673.30] by God? [673.30 --> 676.68] We tell each other [676.68 --> 677.58] and we tell our kids [677.58 --> 680.12] how important it is to know God. [680.92 --> 682.94] But in the final analysis, [683.22 --> 685.96] is it not this that really matters, [686.46 --> 688.92] that God knows my name, [689.96 --> 691.42] that God remembers, [691.88 --> 694.42] God cares about me? [697.30 --> 698.68] There is an old saying [698.68 --> 701.28] that everybody dies twice. [701.28 --> 704.62] First, we die physically [704.62 --> 706.40] and they bury us into the ground [706.40 --> 708.18] or they cremate our remains, [708.30 --> 708.52] whatever. [710.10 --> 711.68] We die a second time [711.68 --> 714.38] when the last relative or friend [714.38 --> 715.88] who can recall us [715.88 --> 717.20] passes away. [718.36 --> 720.46] And then the memory of us [720.46 --> 722.48] is buried too. [723.94 --> 726.58] Then in the words of Psalm 103, [727.12 --> 728.52] we become like grass, [728.82 --> 730.30] like a flower of the field, [730.30 --> 732.14] the wind blows over it [732.14 --> 733.28] and its place [733.28 --> 735.84] remembers it no more. [738.22 --> 739.34] And it's true. [741.48 --> 745.38] So, unless God remembers me, [746.34 --> 748.28] what hope do I have, [748.36 --> 749.88] do you have for the future? [751.14 --> 752.48] And without such hope, [752.64 --> 754.10] what meaning or purpose [754.10 --> 756.92] is there to your life? [756.92 --> 762.52] The gospel of Genesis 40 and 41, [762.74 --> 763.10] however, [763.46 --> 765.76] is that God does remember. [767.76 --> 770.18] God remembers his promise [770.18 --> 772.46] to bless Abraham and his descendants [772.46 --> 775.04] and thereby assures me [775.04 --> 777.10] that he knows my name. [778.70 --> 780.62] God remembers his promise [780.62 --> 782.28] to bless all people [782.28 --> 784.30] through Abraham and his descendants [784.30 --> 786.30] and thereby assures me [786.30 --> 787.84] that he knows and rules [787.84 --> 790.68] all peoples and events. [792.76 --> 794.84] He remembers first his promise [794.84 --> 797.16] to bless Abraham and his descendants [797.16 --> 798.54] and this in spite [798.54 --> 801.00] all evidence to the contrary. [801.72 --> 804.34] Joseph could tell you about that. [804.34 --> 808.42] When we left off his story last week, [808.68 --> 810.00] he'd been falsely accused [810.00 --> 811.10] of attempted rape [811.10 --> 812.58] and been thrown into prison. [813.66 --> 814.96] But just as Joseph [814.96 --> 816.00] had found himself [816.00 --> 817.10] stripped of his clothes [817.10 --> 818.24] for a second time, [818.54 --> 820.42] the victim of other people's spite, [820.86 --> 822.54] so for a second time, [822.80 --> 825.44] because the Lord was with Joseph, [826.44 --> 829.12] he prospered again [829.12 --> 831.22] in difficult circumstances. [831.22 --> 833.32] Before you know it, [833.38 --> 834.76] the warden entrusts Joseph [834.76 --> 836.22] with running the whole prison, [836.60 --> 839.08] just as Potiphar had entrusted Joseph [839.08 --> 841.04] with running his whole household. [841.82 --> 842.68] But of course, [843.22 --> 844.68] it is still prison. [846.18 --> 847.46] Then one day, [848.16 --> 849.28] it so happens. [850.34 --> 851.88] A ridiculous term I know [851.88 --> 854.02] in a story where nothing so happens. [854.72 --> 856.26] But it so happens [856.26 --> 857.76] that the pharaohs, [857.94 --> 858.96] butler and baker, [858.96 --> 860.40] for no reason given, [861.30 --> 862.40] join him in prison, [863.12 --> 864.52] and the captain of the guard, [865.18 --> 866.76] our old friend Potiphar, [868.06 --> 870.62] assigns their care to Joseph. [871.88 --> 873.30] And before you know it, [873.40 --> 874.46] Joseph finds himself [874.46 --> 876.22] in the dream business again. [877.36 --> 878.70] Both butler and baker [878.70 --> 879.94] have a similar dream [879.94 --> 881.34] at the same night, [881.70 --> 883.10] and Joseph, with God's help, [883.26 --> 883.98] interprets them. [884.78 --> 886.16] And it's almost funny, [886.16 --> 887.56] if it weren't so sad, [887.94 --> 889.06] because both dreams [889.06 --> 890.32] involve the expression [890.32 --> 891.72] lifting your head. [892.88 --> 893.46] Your head, [893.66 --> 895.40] Joseph says to the cupbearer, [895.56 --> 896.70] will be lifted up. [896.80 --> 897.30] That is, [897.52 --> 898.60] you will be restored [898.60 --> 899.52] to your position, [899.82 --> 900.70] but your head, [901.04 --> 902.26] says Joseph to the baker, [902.50 --> 904.42] will be lifted off. [905.42 --> 906.36] That is, [906.72 --> 908.68] you will be executed. [908.68 --> 911.28] Wow. [912.06 --> 913.42] You may wonder [913.42 --> 914.36] if Joseph [914.36 --> 916.06] could not have sugar-coated [916.06 --> 916.78] that message [916.78 --> 917.92] to the baker [917.92 --> 919.30] just a little bit. [921.70 --> 922.80] But remember [922.80 --> 924.02] that Joseph's hopes [924.02 --> 924.98] were now riding [924.98 --> 926.50] on the cupbearer. [926.80 --> 927.92] Had he lied, [928.28 --> 929.44] just to be kind, [929.76 --> 930.60] the cupbearer [930.60 --> 931.86] would not have been convinced [931.86 --> 932.72] of his ability [932.72 --> 933.94] to interpret dreams. [934.38 --> 935.98] He would have seen Joseph [935.98 --> 937.20] as a well-meaning guy [937.20 --> 938.20] who flipped the coin [938.20 --> 939.84] and got one right [939.84 --> 940.68] and one wrong. [942.20 --> 943.20] Honesty and integrity [943.76 --> 945.48] in revealing God's meaning, [945.76 --> 946.20] however painful, [947.06 --> 947.94] were required [947.94 --> 949.20] to convince the cupbearer [949.86 --> 950.62] that Joseph [950.62 --> 951.80] was the real deal [951.80 --> 953.42] and worth a recommendation [953.42 --> 954.16] to Pharaoh [954.16 --> 955.64] because you don't [955.64 --> 956.82] mess with Pharaoh, [956.98 --> 957.36] you know. [958.26 --> 959.28] Not when he's got [959.28 --> 960.98] your life in his hands. [960.98 --> 963.86] And he does [963.86 --> 965.80] because when Pharaoh [965.80 --> 967.14] celebrates his birthday [967.14 --> 967.98] three days later [967.98 --> 968.90] and throws a party [968.90 --> 970.20] for all of his officials, [970.76 --> 971.58] what happens? [971.72 --> 972.54] Both cupbearer [972.54 --> 973.04] and baker [973.04 --> 973.80] are invited [973.80 --> 974.86] and we read [974.86 --> 976.06] he lifted up [976.06 --> 976.50] the heads [976.50 --> 977.80] of the chief cupbearer [977.80 --> 979.12] and the chief baker. [979.46 --> 980.04] That is, [980.10 --> 981.44] he restored the butler [981.44 --> 983.04] but beheaded [983.04 --> 984.26] the baker. [984.26 --> 986.96] And surely [986.96 --> 987.88] the cupbearer [987.88 --> 988.82] in his relief [988.82 --> 989.46] and joy [989.46 --> 990.40] would remember [990.40 --> 991.40] Joseph's plea [991.40 --> 992.58] to remember him [992.58 --> 993.98] and tell Pharaoh [993.98 --> 995.40] about this amazing [995.40 --> 996.02] young man [996.02 --> 996.94] he had met [996.94 --> 997.54] in prison. [998.90 --> 999.86] But no. [1001.08 --> 1001.54] Instead, [1001.76 --> 1002.16] you read [1002.16 --> 1002.92] those last [1002.92 --> 1004.46] awful words [1004.46 --> 1005.70] of chapter 40. [1006.84 --> 1008.08] The chief cupbearer, [1008.14 --> 1008.54] however, [1009.14 --> 1010.16] did not remember [1010.16 --> 1010.56] Joseph. [1011.72 --> 1012.68] He forgot him. [1014.26 --> 1018.02] Think about the pain [1018.02 --> 1020.24] in those three words. [1021.34 --> 1022.50] He forgot him. [1024.72 --> 1026.70] Joseph was 17 years old [1026.70 --> 1028.06] when his brother [1028.06 --> 1029.40] sold him into slavery. [1030.50 --> 1031.18] 17. [1032.78 --> 1034.74] And most of the 11 years [1034.74 --> 1035.16] since, [1035.30 --> 1036.72] 11 years of his [1036.72 --> 1037.78] precious youth [1037.78 --> 1039.34] had been lost [1039.34 --> 1040.40] in prison. [1041.90 --> 1043.32] Imagine the crushing [1043.32 --> 1044.10] disappointment [1044.10 --> 1045.10] he must have felt [1045.10 --> 1045.84] most strongly [1045.84 --> 1047.36] after the cupbearer's [1047.36 --> 1047.80] release. [1048.18 --> 1048.50] Here, [1048.80 --> 1049.28] finally, [1049.60 --> 1050.22] was a ray [1050.22 --> 1050.98] of hope. [1052.54 --> 1054.04] But the cupbearer [1054.04 --> 1055.22] forgot him. [1056.20 --> 1057.20] Joseph hears [1057.20 --> 1058.34] nothing. [1058.92 --> 1059.84] Not a card. [1060.18 --> 1061.02] Not a visit [1061.02 --> 1061.98] for two [1061.98 --> 1063.18] whole years. [1063.18 --> 1066.60] is it hard [1066.60 --> 1067.24] to imagine [1067.24 --> 1068.34] that there were [1068.34 --> 1068.74] days, [1068.86 --> 1069.46] maybe weeks [1069.46 --> 1070.22] and months [1070.22 --> 1070.78] when Joseph [1070.78 --> 1071.30] wondered [1071.30 --> 1073.08] whether God [1073.08 --> 1074.28] had simply [1074.28 --> 1075.04] forgotten him. [1077.92 --> 1078.48] Forgotten. [1079.82 --> 1080.66] Haven't you ever [1080.66 --> 1081.08] been there? [1082.48 --> 1083.54] It can happen [1083.54 --> 1084.82] that there are [1084.82 --> 1085.68] times and seasons [1085.68 --> 1086.54] in your life [1086.54 --> 1087.24] when you feel [1087.24 --> 1088.10] as though the whole [1088.10 --> 1089.10] world is lined up [1089.10 --> 1089.78] against you, [1090.04 --> 1090.94] as though you are [1090.94 --> 1091.64] all alone [1091.64 --> 1092.84] where you call [1092.84 --> 1094.22] out and nobody [1094.22 --> 1095.06] answers. [1096.64 --> 1097.84] It can happen [1097.84 --> 1099.22] when you stand [1099.22 --> 1100.02] at a graveside [1100.02 --> 1100.52] of someone [1100.52 --> 1101.22] you loved [1101.22 --> 1103.08] or in the middle [1103.08 --> 1103.58] of the night [1103.58 --> 1104.66] while lying [1104.66 --> 1105.70] in a hospital bed [1105.70 --> 1107.00] or when you're [1107.00 --> 1107.42] struggling [1107.42 --> 1108.68] with depression. [1109.38 --> 1110.24] The world [1110.24 --> 1110.86] goes on [1110.86 --> 1111.76] but you are [1111.76 --> 1112.80] mired in pain. [1113.92 --> 1114.54] Other people's [1114.54 --> 1115.38] prayers are answered [1115.38 --> 1116.70] but heaven seems [1116.70 --> 1117.76] deaf to your pleading. [1117.76 --> 1119.30] Other people [1119.30 --> 1119.84] talk about [1119.84 --> 1120.96] wonderful experiences [1120.96 --> 1121.68] of God's [1121.68 --> 1122.16] blessing [1122.16 --> 1123.00] and God's [1123.00 --> 1123.44] care [1123.44 --> 1126.12] while you wonder [1126.12 --> 1126.86] what in the world [1126.86 --> 1127.84] God is doing [1127.84 --> 1129.16] in your life. [1130.46 --> 1131.44] It can happen [1131.44 --> 1132.34] in lots of ways [1132.34 --> 1133.88] and lots of times. [1134.96 --> 1136.24] I'm just [1136.24 --> 1137.68] forgotten. [1140.96 --> 1141.64] Forgotten. [1142.00 --> 1142.52] That's [1142.52 --> 1143.60] Joseph's story. [1143.60 --> 1145.24] for two [1145.24 --> 1146.00] whole [1146.00 --> 1146.90] silent [1146.90 --> 1147.76] years [1147.76 --> 1151.00] and then [1151.00 --> 1152.32] one day [1152.32 --> 1153.96] the silence [1153.96 --> 1155.36] is broken. [1156.64 --> 1157.18] Pharaoh's [1157.18 --> 1157.62] court [1157.62 --> 1158.46] is in a [1158.46 --> 1158.96] frenzy. [1160.08 --> 1160.64] Pharaoh has [1160.64 --> 1161.38] had dreams [1161.38 --> 1161.98] disturbing [1161.98 --> 1162.56] dreams [1162.56 --> 1163.74] like Joseph's [1163.74 --> 1164.04] dreams [1164.04 --> 1164.52] like those [1164.52 --> 1164.80] of the [1164.80 --> 1165.30] cup bearer [1165.30 --> 1165.58] and the [1165.58 --> 1165.84] baker [1165.84 --> 1166.58] not some [1166.58 --> 1166.90] hazy [1166.90 --> 1167.32] nonsense [1167.32 --> 1168.12] between sleep [1168.12 --> 1168.56] and waking [1168.56 --> 1169.22] who knows [1169.22 --> 1169.54] what it [1169.54 --> 1169.84] means. [1169.84 --> 1170.62] this [1170.62 --> 1171.06] Pharaoh [1171.06 --> 1171.98] instinctively [1171.98 --> 1172.28] knew [1172.28 --> 1172.90] was the [1172.90 --> 1173.48] real thing. [1173.60 --> 1173.90] This was [1173.90 --> 1174.20] something [1174.20 --> 1174.56] more [1174.56 --> 1175.22] something [1175.22 --> 1175.58] from [1175.58 --> 1176.10] beyond [1176.10 --> 1177.32] but none [1177.32 --> 1177.58] of his [1177.58 --> 1178.18] magicians [1178.18 --> 1178.76] none of [1178.76 --> 1179.22] his wise [1179.22 --> 1179.54] men [1179.54 --> 1180.38] had a [1180.38 --> 1180.64] clue. [1182.20 --> 1182.28] And [1182.28 --> 1182.72] then [1182.72 --> 1183.44] the [1183.44 --> 1183.72] chief [1183.72 --> 1184.10] cup [1184.10 --> 1184.92] bearer [1184.92 --> 1185.56] remembered [1185.56 --> 1187.42] and [1187.42 --> 1187.92] God [1187.92 --> 1189.02] remembered. [1189.98 --> 1190.46] Joseph [1190.46 --> 1191.00] is down [1191.00 --> 1191.48] 10-0 [1191.48 --> 1192.16] at the [1192.16 --> 1192.42] second [1192.42 --> 1193.02] intermission [1193.02 --> 1193.66] and it's [1193.66 --> 1193.96] comeback [1193.96 --> 1194.46] time. [1194.98 --> 1195.14] One [1195.14 --> 1195.44] little [1195.44 --> 1195.88] cog [1195.88 --> 1196.18] in the [1196.18 --> 1196.38] wheel [1196.38 --> 1196.56] of [1196.56 --> 1197.04] providence [1197.04 --> 1197.44] connects [1197.44 --> 1197.90] with [1197.90 --> 1198.22] another [1198.22 --> 1198.68] and the [1198.68 --> 1198.96] gears [1198.96 --> 1199.56] of God's [1199.56 --> 1199.94] purposes [1199.94 --> 1200.50] move [1200.50 --> 1200.96] forward. [1202.00 --> 1202.24] Joseph [1202.24 --> 1202.52] gets [1202.52 --> 1202.88] hauled [1202.88 --> 1203.00] out [1203.00 --> 1203.12] of [1203.12 --> 1203.36] prison [1203.36 --> 1203.58] to [1203.58 --> 1203.92] stand [1203.92 --> 1204.28] before [1204.28 --> 1204.48] the [1204.48 --> 1204.80] Pharaoh [1204.80 --> 1205.44] and he [1205.44 --> 1205.76] comes [1205.76 --> 1206.04] through [1206.04 --> 1206.42] again. [1207.42 --> 1207.52] He [1207.52 --> 1208.18] acknowledges [1208.18 --> 1208.56] God [1208.56 --> 1208.92] as the [1208.92 --> 1209.20] source [1209.20 --> 1209.50] of the [1209.50 --> 1209.94] dreams [1209.94 --> 1210.70] then he [1210.70 --> 1211.12] tells it [1211.12 --> 1211.46] like it [1211.46 --> 1211.70] is. [1212.02 --> 1212.30] Seven [1212.30 --> 1212.64] years [1212.64 --> 1212.84] of [1212.84 --> 1213.44] incredible [1213.44 --> 1214.04] abundance [1214.04 --> 1214.40] followed [1214.40 --> 1215.04] by seven [1215.04 --> 1215.50] years [1215.50 --> 1216.54] of equally [1216.54 --> 1217.22] incredible [1217.22 --> 1217.94] famine. [1218.82 --> 1218.92] And [1218.92 --> 1219.44] before you [1219.44 --> 1219.82] know it [1219.82 --> 1220.44] Joseph's [1220.44 --> 1220.66] head [1220.66 --> 1221.40] is lifted [1221.40 --> 1221.74] up. [1222.42 --> 1222.58] As [1222.58 --> 1222.86] quickly [1222.86 --> 1223.20] as he [1223.20 --> 1223.70] was buried [1223.70 --> 1224.24] in prison [1224.24 --> 1225.36] by Potiphar [1225.36 --> 1225.88] Joseph [1225.88 --> 1226.50] has raised [1226.50 --> 1226.80] a new [1226.80 --> 1227.10] life [1227.10 --> 1227.66] in the [1227.66 --> 1227.88] kingdom [1227.88 --> 1228.48] of Egypt [1228.48 --> 1229.58] second in [1229.58 --> 1229.96] power [1229.96 --> 1230.66] only to [1230.66 --> 1231.00] Pharaoh [1231.00 --> 1232.02] given a [1232.02 --> 1232.30] wife [1232.30 --> 1232.86] who bears [1232.86 --> 1233.06] him [1233.06 --> 1233.52] children [1233.52 --> 1234.28] blessed [1234.28 --> 1234.76] beyond [1234.76 --> 1235.26] measure [1235.26 --> 1236.16] because [1236.16 --> 1236.94] finally [1236.94 --> 1237.62] the cup [1237.62 --> 1238.02] bearer [1238.02 --> 1238.70] remembered [1238.70 --> 1239.08] him. [1240.08 --> 1240.96] No. [1241.96 --> 1242.80] No. [1243.80 --> 1244.20] Because [1244.20 --> 1244.76] God [1244.76 --> 1245.90] had never [1245.90 --> 1246.48] forgotten [1246.48 --> 1247.12] Joseph. [1248.12 --> 1248.68] God [1248.68 --> 1249.18] remembered [1249.18 --> 1249.64] Joseph [1249.64 --> 1250.32] even when [1250.32 --> 1251.16] all others [1251.16 --> 1252.26] had forgotten. [1252.26 --> 1253.64] God [1253.64 --> 1253.88] remembers [1253.88 --> 1254.64] God [1254.64 --> 1254.94] remembers [1254.94 --> 1255.80] God [1255.80 --> 1256.80] remembers [1256.80 --> 1257.72] God [1257.72 --> 1259.74] remembers [1259.74 --> 1261.70] us. [1261.70 --> 1263.88] God [1263.88 --> 1264.80] remembers [1264.80 --> 1266.52] and [1266.52 --> 1266.86] throughout [1266.86 --> 1267.42] the Old [1267.42 --> 1267.86] Testament [1267.86 --> 1268.70] this fact [1268.70 --> 1269.10] is a [1269.10 --> 1269.66] consistent [1269.66 --> 1270.24] source [1270.24 --> 1271.06] of deep [1271.06 --> 1271.56] comfort [1271.56 --> 1272.08] and [1272.08 --> 1272.74] thanksgiving. [1274.30 --> 1274.62] God [1274.62 --> 1275.20] remembers [1275.20 --> 1275.64] us. [1276.12 --> 1276.32] God [1276.32 --> 1276.86] remembers [1276.86 --> 1277.28] that we [1277.28 --> 1277.78] are but [1277.78 --> 1278.38] dust. [1278.94 --> 1279.14] God [1279.14 --> 1279.66] remembers [1279.66 --> 1280.32] his promise [1280.32 --> 1280.90] to Abraham [1280.90 --> 1281.42] and his [1281.42 --> 1281.94] descendants. [1282.56 --> 1282.84] Hundreds [1282.84 --> 1283.50] of years [1283.50 --> 1284.06] after [1284.06 --> 1284.54] Joseph [1284.54 --> 1285.00] when [1285.00 --> 1285.32] Egypt [1285.32 --> 1285.70] gets [1285.70 --> 1286.06] a new [1286.06 --> 1286.34] king [1286.34 --> 1286.70] who [1286.70 --> 1287.20] doesn't [1287.20 --> 1287.60] know [1287.60 --> 1288.08] Joseph [1288.08 --> 1288.62] and [1288.62 --> 1289.02] Israel [1289.02 --> 1289.50] finds [1289.50 --> 1289.86] herself [1289.86 --> 1290.06] in [1290.06 --> 1290.50] hopeless [1290.50 --> 1291.04] slavery [1291.04 --> 1291.48] in [1291.48 --> 1291.86] Egypt [1291.86 --> 1292.58] Moses [1292.58 --> 1293.04] writes [1293.04 --> 1293.38] these [1293.38 --> 1293.76] words [1293.76 --> 1294.44] God [1294.44 --> 1295.02] heard [1295.02 --> 1295.24] their [1295.24 --> 1295.74] groaning [1295.74 --> 1296.26] and [1296.26 --> 1296.46] he [1296.46 --> 1297.20] remembered [1297.20 --> 1297.60] his [1297.60 --> 1298.14] covenant [1298.14 --> 1298.98] with [1298.98 --> 1299.50] Abraham [1299.50 --> 1300.20] with [1300.20 --> 1300.78] Isaac [1300.78 --> 1301.32] and [1301.32 --> 1301.54] with [1301.54 --> 1301.94] Jacob [1301.94 --> 1303.42] and [1303.42 --> 1303.94] God's [1303.94 --> 1304.46] remembering [1304.46 --> 1304.94] gives [1304.94 --> 1305.26] new [1305.26 --> 1305.70] hope [1305.70 --> 1306.44] and [1306.44 --> 1306.64] new [1306.64 --> 1307.08] future. [1308.12 --> 1308.48] Later [1308.48 --> 1308.80] in the [1308.80 --> 1308.96] Old [1308.96 --> 1309.34] Testament [1309.34 --> 1309.62] when [1309.62 --> 1309.98] God's [1309.98 --> 1310.14] Old [1310.14 --> 1310.48] Testament [1310.48 --> 1310.92] people [1310.92 --> 1311.40] are [1311.40 --> 1311.62] in [1311.62 --> 1312.08] exile [1312.08 --> 1312.32] and [1312.32 --> 1312.70] slavery [1312.70 --> 1312.94] in [1312.94 --> 1313.22] another [1313.22 --> 1313.80] empire [1313.80 --> 1314.50] Babylon [1314.50 --> 1314.88] they [1314.88 --> 1315.24] said [1315.24 --> 1315.68] the [1315.68 --> 1315.98] Lord [1315.98 --> 1316.24] has [1316.24 --> 1316.80] forsaken [1316.80 --> 1317.08] me [1317.08 --> 1317.90] the [1317.90 --> 1318.18] Lord [1318.18 --> 1318.46] has [1318.46 --> 1319.02] forgotten [1319.02 --> 1319.48] me [1319.48 --> 1321.38] but [1321.38 --> 1321.56] the [1321.56 --> 1321.92] prophet [1321.92 --> 1322.36] Isaiah [1322.36 --> 1322.80] speaking [1322.80 --> 1323.04] on [1323.04 --> 1323.44] behalf [1323.44 --> 1323.64] of [1323.64 --> 1323.96] God [1323.96 --> 1324.48] asked [1324.48 --> 1324.68] the [1324.68 --> 1325.04] question [1325.04 --> 1325.56] can [1325.56 --> 1325.78] a [1325.78 --> 1326.00] mother [1326.00 --> 1326.44] forget [1326.44 --> 1326.68] the [1326.68 --> 1327.02] baby [1327.02 --> 1327.48] at [1327.48 --> 1327.66] her [1327.66 --> 1328.04] breast [1328.04 --> 1328.24] and [1328.24 --> 1328.48] have [1328.48 --> 1328.78] no [1328.78 --> 1329.48] compassion [1329.48 --> 1329.98] on [1329.98 --> 1330.14] the [1330.14 --> 1330.54] child [1330.54 --> 1330.72] she [1330.72 --> 1330.92] has [1330.92 --> 1331.28] born [1331.28 --> 1332.76] and [1332.76 --> 1332.96] of [1332.96 --> 1333.26] course [1333.26 --> 1333.46] a [1333.46 --> 1333.82] normal [1333.82 --> 1334.12] mother [1334.12 --> 1334.50] never [1334.50 --> 1334.80] would [1334.80 --> 1336.18] even [1336.18 --> 1336.42] though [1336.42 --> 1336.74] mothers [1336.74 --> 1337.18] are not [1337.18 --> 1337.60] perfect [1337.60 --> 1338.16] anymore [1338.16 --> 1338.76] than [1338.76 --> 1339.40] fathers who [1339.40 --> 1339.76] leave their [1339.76 --> 1340.04] youngest [1340.04 --> 1340.38] alone [1340.38 --> 1340.76] on a [1340.76 --> 1341.06] beach [1341.06 --> 1341.98] any more [1341.98 --> 1342.48] than our [1342.48 --> 1342.90] children [1342.90 --> 1344.08] it is impossible [1344.08 --> 1345.10] to imagine [1345.10 --> 1346.02] a normal [1346.02 --> 1346.42] mother [1346.42 --> 1347.40] forgetting the [1347.40 --> 1348.06] face of the [1348.06 --> 1348.46] one she [1348.46 --> 1348.96] carried [1348.96 --> 1350.12] and birthed [1350.12 --> 1350.98] and nursed [1350.98 --> 1351.76] forget [1351.76 --> 1352.74] never [1352.74 --> 1356.46] sadly [1356.46 --> 1356.48] sadly [1356.48 --> 1356.92] however [1356.92 --> 1357.30] as [1357.30 --> 1357.56] God [1357.56 --> 1358.04] admits [1358.04 --> 1359.12] though [1359.12 --> 1359.44] she [1359.44 --> 1359.70] may [1359.70 --> 1360.18] forget [1360.18 --> 1360.46] he [1360.46 --> 1360.92] says [1360.92 --> 1362.24] there [1362.24 --> 1362.58] are [1362.58 --> 1363.26] exceptions [1363.26 --> 1364.08] some [1364.08 --> 1364.38] thrown [1364.38 --> 1364.86] through [1364.86 --> 1365.40] no fault [1365.40 --> 1365.68] of their [1365.68 --> 1365.94] own [1365.94 --> 1366.36] such as [1366.36 --> 1366.64] mental [1366.64 --> 1367.22] disease [1367.22 --> 1367.92] others [1367.92 --> 1368.36] because [1368.36 --> 1368.56] of [1368.56 --> 1368.90] sinful [1368.90 --> 1369.42] neglect [1369.42 --> 1370.12] but [1370.12 --> 1370.86] though [1370.86 --> 1371.22] she [1371.22 --> 1371.54] may [1371.54 --> 1372.04] forget [1372.04 --> 1373.76] says [1373.76 --> 1373.96] the [1373.96 --> 1374.24] Lord [1374.24 --> 1375.50] I [1375.50 --> 1376.00] will [1376.00 --> 1376.44] not [1376.44 --> 1377.12] forget [1377.12 --> 1378.24] you [1378.24 --> 1381.60] see [1381.60 --> 1382.12] I have [1382.12 --> 1382.74] engraved [1382.74 --> 1383.00] you [1383.00 --> 1384.10] on the [1384.10 --> 1384.52] palms [1384.52 --> 1385.00] of my [1385.00 --> 1385.46] hands [1385.46 --> 1386.84] your [1386.84 --> 1387.32] names [1387.32 --> 1387.76] written [1387.76 --> 1388.56] on God's [1388.56 --> 1388.98] hands [1388.98 --> 1389.80] not just [1389.80 --> 1390.18] with a [1390.18 --> 1390.48] pen [1390.48 --> 1391.34] so that [1391.34 --> 1391.52] they're [1391.52 --> 1391.84] easily [1391.84 --> 1392.26] rubbed [1392.26 --> 1392.54] off [1392.54 --> 1393.08] or washed [1393.08 --> 1393.42] away [1393.42 --> 1393.82] the first [1393.82 --> 1394.16] time you [1394.16 --> 1394.42] wash [1394.42 --> 1394.96] your hands [1394.96 --> 1395.82] but [1395.82 --> 1396.70] engraved [1396.70 --> 1397.52] carved [1397.52 --> 1398.54] with a [1398.54 --> 1398.96] knife [1398.96 --> 1399.82] into [1399.82 --> 1400.12] his [1400.12 --> 1400.58] hand [1400.58 --> 1401.60] a [1401.60 --> 1402.22] permanent [1402.22 --> 1403.04] mark [1403.04 --> 1405.22] God [1405.22 --> 1405.76] remembers [1405.76 --> 1406.46] and it [1406.46 --> 1406.78] is what [1406.78 --> 1407.00] his [1407.00 --> 1407.32] son [1407.32 --> 1408.04] came to [1408.04 --> 1408.50] tell us [1408.50 --> 1408.72] too [1408.72 --> 1409.30] Jesus [1409.30 --> 1409.86] told us [1409.86 --> 1410.38] to address [1410.38 --> 1410.74] God [1410.74 --> 1411.02] as [1411.02 --> 1411.50] our [1411.50 --> 1411.98] father [1411.98 --> 1413.18] to [1413.18 --> 1413.68] teach us [1413.68 --> 1413.86] that [1413.86 --> 1414.18] God [1414.18 --> 1414.42] does [1414.42 --> 1414.62] not [1414.62 --> 1414.94] care [1414.94 --> 1415.18] about [1415.18 --> 1415.36] the [1415.36 --> 1415.62] world [1415.62 --> 1415.86] like [1415.86 --> 1416.04] a [1416.04 --> 1416.36] distant [1416.36 --> 1416.84] CEO [1416.84 --> 1417.26] might [1417.26 --> 1417.52] care [1417.52 --> 1417.74] about [1417.74 --> 1417.92] the [1417.92 --> 1418.44] company's [1418.44 --> 1418.70] bottom [1418.70 --> 1419.26] line [1419.26 --> 1420.68] are [1420.68 --> 1420.92] not [1420.92 --> 1421.12] two [1421.12 --> 1422.26] sparrows [1422.26 --> 1422.60] sold [1422.60 --> 1423.00] for a [1423.00 --> 1423.24] penny [1423.24 --> 1423.56] Jesus [1423.56 --> 1423.92] once [1423.92 --> 1424.32] asked [1424.32 --> 1425.40] yet [1425.40 --> 1425.60] not [1425.60 --> 1425.94] one [1425.94 --> 1426.04] of [1426.04 --> 1426.16] them [1426.16 --> 1426.34] will [1426.34 --> 1426.58] fall [1426.58 --> 1426.74] to [1426.74 --> 1426.90] the [1426.90 --> 1427.18] ground [1427.18 --> 1427.46] without [1427.46 --> 1427.78] your [1427.78 --> 1428.18] father [1428.18 --> 1428.78] or [1428.78 --> 1429.14] apart [1429.14 --> 1429.38] from [1429.38 --> 1429.56] your [1429.56 --> 1429.90] father [1429.90 --> 1430.28] and [1430.28 --> 1430.52] even [1430.52 --> 1430.74] the [1430.74 --> 1431.30] hairs [1431.30 --> 1431.54] of [1431.54 --> 1431.72] your [1431.72 --> 1432.12] head [1432.12 --> 1433.26] are [1433.26 --> 1433.50] all [1433.50 --> 1433.98] numbered [1433.98 --> 1436.82] yes [1436.82 --> 1437.28] sparrows [1437.28 --> 1437.46] do [1437.46 --> 1437.78] fall [1437.78 --> 1438.02] and [1438.02 --> 1438.56] sadly [1438.56 --> 1438.94] so [1438.94 --> 1439.12] do [1439.12 --> 1439.28] the [1439.28 --> 1439.50] hairs [1439.50 --> 1439.68] of [1439.68 --> 1439.82] our [1439.82 --> 1440.12] head [1440.12 --> 1441.14] some [1441.14 --> 1441.30] of [1441.30 --> 1441.50] ours [1441.50 --> 1441.76] a lot [1441.76 --> 1442.02] quicker [1442.02 --> 1442.20] than [1442.20 --> 1442.54] others [1442.54 --> 1443.76] but [1443.76 --> 1444.20] not [1444.20 --> 1444.80] apart [1444.80 --> 1445.20] from [1445.20 --> 1445.40] the [1445.40 --> 1445.78] father [1445.78 --> 1447.06] not [1447.06 --> 1447.46] apart [1447.46 --> 1447.70] from [1447.70 --> 1447.94] his [1447.94 --> 1448.54] knowledge [1448.54 --> 1449.42] says [1449.42 --> 1449.86] Jesus [1449.86 --> 1450.28] his [1450.28 --> 1450.76] love [1450.76 --> 1451.76] his [1451.76 --> 1452.18] care [1452.18 --> 1454.54] his [1454.54 --> 1454.90] eye [1454.90 --> 1455.08] is [1455.08 --> 1455.26] on [1455.26 --> 1455.44] the [1455.44 --> 1455.90] sparrow [1455.90 --> 1456.42] wrote [1456.42 --> 1457.04] Sevilla [1457.04 --> 1457.36] D. [1457.48 --> 1457.76] Martin [1457.76 --> 1458.06] in [1458.06 --> 1458.92] 1905 [1458.92 --> 1459.72] and [1459.72 --> 1459.96] I [1459.96 --> 1460.42] know [1460.42 --> 1461.08] he [1461.08 --> 1461.54] watches [1461.54 --> 1461.92] me [1461.92 --> 1463.52] she [1463.52 --> 1463.76] wrote [1463.76 --> 1463.96] those [1463.96 --> 1464.26] words [1464.26 --> 1464.56] after [1464.56 --> 1465.00] visiting [1465.00 --> 1465.52] friends [1465.52 --> 1465.70] the [1465.70 --> 1466.00] couple [1466.00 --> 1467.00] the [1467.00 --> 1467.24] wife [1467.24 --> 1467.40] had [1467.40 --> 1467.56] been [1467.56 --> 1467.80] bread [1467.80 --> 1468.04] ridden [1468.04 --> 1468.24] for [1468.24 --> 1468.56] 20 [1468.56 --> 1468.86] years [1468.86 --> 1469.04] the [1469.04 --> 1469.32] husband [1469.32 --> 1469.64] needed [1469.64 --> 1469.84] a [1469.84 --> 1470.14] wheelchair [1470.14 --> 1470.42] to [1470.42 --> 1470.62] get [1470.62 --> 1470.94] around [1470.94 --> 1471.26] both [1471.26 --> 1471.40] of [1471.40 --> 1471.56] them [1471.56 --> 1471.68] in [1471.68 --> 1471.84] a [1471.84 --> 1472.18] sense [1472.18 --> 1472.90] imprisoned [1472.90 --> 1474.78] forgotten [1474.78 --> 1476.90] but [1476.90 --> 1477.22] both [1477.22 --> 1477.46] lived [1477.46 --> 1477.88] lives [1477.88 --> 1478.10] of [1478.10 --> 1478.42] faith [1478.42 --> 1478.62] and [1478.62 --> 1479.00] courage [1479.00 --> 1479.20] that [1479.20 --> 1479.44] brought [1479.44 --> 1480.10] inspiration [1480.10 --> 1480.34] and [1480.34 --> 1480.66] comfort [1480.66 --> 1480.88] to [1480.88 --> 1481.16] all [1481.16 --> 1481.36] who [1481.36 --> 1481.56] knew [1481.56 --> 1481.86] them [1481.86 --> 1482.62] when [1482.62 --> 1482.88] asked [1482.88 --> 1483.04] the [1483.04 --> 1483.32] secret [1483.32 --> 1483.52] of [1483.52 --> 1483.66] their [1483.66 --> 1484.26] hopefulness [1484.26 --> 1484.44] and [1484.44 --> 1484.78] life [1484.78 --> 1484.98] the [1484.98 --> 1485.26] wife [1485.26 --> 1485.52] gave [1485.52 --> 1485.72] this [1485.72 --> 1486.08] answer [1486.08 --> 1486.30] that [1486.30 --> 1486.70] Sevilla [1486.70 --> 1487.12] turned [1487.12 --> 1487.62] into [1487.62 --> 1487.86] that [1491.08 --> 1496.60] God [1496.60 --> 1497.18] remembers [1497.18 --> 1498.80] God [1498.80 --> 1499.18] knows [1499.18 --> 1499.48] my [1499.48 --> 1499.80] name [1499.80 --> 1501.08] this [1501.08 --> 1501.24] is [1501.24 --> 1501.40] the [1501.40 --> 1501.64] good [1501.64 --> 1501.96] news [1501.96 --> 1502.16] of [1502.16 --> 1502.58] Genesis [1502.58 --> 1503.14] 40 [1503.14 --> 1503.52] and [1503.52 --> 1504.06] 41 [1504.06 --> 1505.36] he [1505.36 --> 1505.64] will [1505.64 --> 1505.96] not [1505.96 --> 1506.18] he [1506.18 --> 1506.52] cannot [1506.52 --> 1507.42] forget [1507.42 --> 1508.62] you [1508.62 --> 1510.30] and [1510.30 --> 1510.48] when [1510.48 --> 1510.64] you [1510.64 --> 1511.00] find [1511.00 --> 1511.16] it [1511.16 --> 1511.46] hard [1511.46 --> 1511.68] to [1511.68 --> 1512.04] believe [1512.04 --> 1512.30] that [1512.30 --> 1512.48] to [1512.48 --> 1512.74] keep [1512.74 --> 1513.20] trusting [1513.20 --> 1513.48] through [1513.48 --> 1513.80] days [1513.80 --> 1513.98] of [1513.98 --> 1514.26] your [1514.26 --> 1514.80] seeming [1514.80 --> 1515.26] forgotten [1515.26 --> 1516.18] let me [1516.18 --> 1516.70] suggest [1516.70 --> 1517.76] at least [1517.76 --> 1518.20] a couple [1518.20 --> 1518.42] of [1518.42 --> 1518.82] things [1518.82 --> 1519.54] we [1519.54 --> 1519.82] see [1519.82 --> 1520.10] in [1520.10 --> 1520.70] Joseph's [1520.70 --> 1521.28] seeming [1521.28 --> 1521.70] forgotten [1521.70 --> 1522.82] that [1522.82 --> 1523.10] might [1523.10 --> 1523.42] help [1523.42 --> 1523.68] you [1523.68 --> 1524.50] as [1524.50 --> 1524.62] you [1524.62 --> 1525.30] experience [1525.30 --> 1525.58] or [1525.58 --> 1525.80] when [1525.80 --> 1525.96] you [1525.96 --> 1526.66] experience [1526.66 --> 1527.52] yours [1527.52 --> 1529.28] one [1529.28 --> 1529.70] was [1529.70 --> 1529.88] his [1529.88 --> 1530.44] concern [1530.44 --> 1531.12] for [1531.12 --> 1531.52] others [1531.52 --> 1532.94] rather [1532.94 --> 1533.20] than [1533.20 --> 1533.36] be [1533.36 --> 1533.74] so [1533.74 --> 1534.44] consumed [1534.44 --> 1534.70] with [1534.70 --> 1534.88] the [1534.88 --> 1535.32] wrong [1535.32 --> 1535.94] that [1535.94 --> 1536.14] he [1536.14 --> 1536.66] suffered [1536.66 --> 1537.72] that [1537.72 --> 1537.86] he [1537.86 --> 1538.36] ignored [1538.36 --> 1538.62] the [1538.62 --> 1538.88] needs [1538.88 --> 1539.06] of [1539.06 --> 1539.54] everybody [1539.54 --> 1540.02] else [1540.02 --> 1541.24] his [1541.24 --> 1541.62] care [1541.62 --> 1541.86] for [1541.86 --> 1542.18] others [1542.18 --> 1542.36] and [1542.36 --> 1542.60] his [1542.60 --> 1543.08] willingness [1543.08 --> 1544.06] to [1544.06 --> 1544.28] get [1544.28 --> 1544.72] involved [1544.72 --> 1544.94] in [1544.94 --> 1545.20] their [1545.20 --> 1545.68] troubles [1545.68 --> 1546.92] become [1546.92 --> 1547.18] the [1547.18 --> 1547.42] means [1547.42 --> 1547.60] of [1547.60 --> 1547.74] his [1547.74 --> 1547.98] own [1547.98 --> 1548.44] freedom [1548.44 --> 1549.90] however [1549.90 --> 1550.28] slow [1550.28 --> 1550.46] in [1550.46 --> 1550.72] coming [1550.72 --> 1551.06] as [1551.06 --> 1551.46] you [1551.46 --> 1551.60] and [1551.60 --> 1551.76] I [1551.76 --> 1552.02] measure [1552.02 --> 1552.42] time [1552.42 --> 1554.16] it [1554.16 --> 1554.30] is [1554.30 --> 1554.48] at [1554.48 --> 1554.66] least [1554.66 --> 1555.36] possible [1555.36 --> 1556.72] that [1556.72 --> 1557.38] sometimes [1557.38 --> 1557.96] God [1557.96 --> 1558.24] may [1558.24 --> 1558.70] have [1558.70 --> 1558.96] you [1558.96 --> 1559.30] where [1559.30 --> 1559.54] he [1559.54 --> 1559.92] has [1559.92 --> 1560.06] you [1560.06 --> 1560.36] not [1560.36 --> 1560.76] only [1560.76 --> 1561.04] as [1561.04 --> 1561.36] part [1561.36 --> 1562.02] of [1562.02 --> 1562.20] what [1562.20 --> 1562.34] he [1562.34 --> 1562.54] is [1562.54 --> 1562.82] doing [1562.82 --> 1563.08] in [1563.08 --> 1563.38] your [1563.38 --> 1563.80] life [1563.80 --> 1566.06] but [1566.06 --> 1566.26] so [1566.26 --> 1566.52] that [1566.52 --> 1566.90] you [1566.90 --> 1567.30] can [1567.30 --> 1567.48] be [1567.48 --> 1567.90] part [1567.90 --> 1568.56] of [1568.56 --> 1568.74] what [1568.74 --> 1569.02] God [1569.02 --> 1569.18] is [1569.18 --> 1569.52] doing [1569.52 --> 1570.20] in [1570.20 --> 1570.50] someone [1570.50 --> 1570.94] else's [1570.94 --> 1571.24] life [1571.24 --> 1573.34] we [1573.34 --> 1573.52] can [1573.52 --> 1573.88] focus [1573.88 --> 1574.10] on [1574.10 --> 1574.24] the [1574.24 --> 1574.48] part [1574.48 --> 1574.58] of [1574.58 --> 1574.78] the [1574.78 --> 1575.42] promise [1575.42 --> 1575.70] that [1575.70 --> 1576.04] says [1576.04 --> 1576.36] we [1576.36 --> 1576.54] will [1576.54 --> 1576.70] be [1576.70 --> 1577.14] blessed [1577.14 --> 1578.80] and [1578.80 --> 1579.12] forget [1579.12 --> 1580.00] that [1580.00 --> 1580.14] we [1580.14 --> 1580.26] are [1580.26 --> 1580.58] also [1580.58 --> 1580.98] called [1580.98 --> 1581.42] to [1581.42 --> 1581.64] be [1581.64 --> 1581.78] a [1581.78 --> 1582.10] blessing [1582.10 --> 1582.54] to [1582.54 --> 1582.92] others [1582.92 --> 1584.54] in [1584.54 --> 1585.02] Joseph's [1585.02 --> 1585.30] case [1585.30 --> 1585.70] God [1585.70 --> 1586.12] worked [1586.12 --> 1586.86] on [1586.86 --> 1587.12] both [1587.12 --> 1587.54] others [1587.54 --> 1587.92] and [1587.92 --> 1588.36] Joseph [1588.36 --> 1589.40] at [1589.40 --> 1589.88] once [1589.88 --> 1590.32] at [1590.32 --> 1590.46] the [1590.46 --> 1590.62] same [1590.62 --> 1591.04] time [1591.04 --> 1593.24] another [1593.24 --> 1593.56] thing [1593.56 --> 1593.84] is to [1593.84 --> 1594.16] see [1594.16 --> 1594.48] that [1594.48 --> 1594.96] God's [1594.96 --> 1595.34] delay [1595.34 --> 1596.28] sometimes [1596.28 --> 1596.88] serves [1596.88 --> 1597.14] a [1597.14 --> 1597.68] necessary [1597.68 --> 1598.26] purpose [1598.26 --> 1599.74] what [1599.74 --> 1599.88] of [1599.88 --> 1600.02] the [1600.02 --> 1600.24] cub [1600.24 --> 1601.26] bearer [1601.26 --> 1602.58] had [1602.58 --> 1603.00] remembered [1603.00 --> 1603.42] Joseph [1603.42 --> 1603.76] the [1603.76 --> 1604.12] moment [1604.12 --> 1604.32] he [1604.32 --> 1604.74] himself [1604.74 --> 1604.96] was [1604.96 --> 1605.38] restored [1605.38 --> 1607.00] and [1607.00 --> 1607.44] somehow [1607.44 --> 1608.00] convinced [1608.00 --> 1608.44] Pharaoh [1608.44 --> 1609.46] to [1609.46 --> 1609.70] have [1609.70 --> 1610.06] Joseph [1610.06 --> 1610.60] released [1610.60 --> 1611.40] immediately [1611.40 --> 1612.26] I know [1612.26 --> 1612.58] this is [1612.58 --> 1612.78] all [1612.78 --> 1613.30] speculation [1613.30 --> 1613.72] but [1613.72 --> 1614.20] Joseph [1614.20 --> 1614.62] might [1614.62 --> 1614.72] have [1614.72 --> 1614.92] gone [1614.92 --> 1615.16] back [1615.16 --> 1615.48] home [1615.48 --> 1616.72] and [1616.72 --> 1617.08] God [1617.08 --> 1617.32] needs [1617.32 --> 1617.48] him [1617.48 --> 1617.62] in [1617.62 --> 1618.06] Egypt [1618.06 --> 1619.32] God [1619.32 --> 1619.52] has [1619.52 --> 1619.80] something [1619.80 --> 1620.22] bigger [1620.22 --> 1620.50] and [1620.50 --> 1620.76] better [1620.76 --> 1621.02] for [1621.02 --> 1621.26] him [1621.26 --> 1623.36] so [1623.36 --> 1623.68] if [1623.68 --> 1623.98] your [1623.98 --> 1624.68] deliverance [1624.68 --> 1625.00] is [1625.00 --> 1625.48] delayed [1625.48 --> 1626.26] just [1626.26 --> 1626.96] maybe [1626.96 --> 1627.44] it [1627.44 --> 1627.74] has [1627.74 --> 1627.92] to [1627.92 --> 1628.12] do [1628.12 --> 1628.56] with [1628.56 --> 1629.10] something [1629.10 --> 1629.50] God [1629.50 --> 1629.80] wants [1629.80 --> 1629.96] to [1629.96 --> 1630.22] do [1630.22 --> 1630.82] in [1630.82 --> 1631.20] you [1631.20 --> 1633.08] just [1633.08 --> 1634.02] maybe [1634.02 --> 1634.68] it's [1634.68 --> 1635.14] because [1635.14 --> 1635.46] there [1635.46 --> 1635.68] is [1635.68 --> 1636.02] more [1636.02 --> 1636.26] that [1636.26 --> 1636.56] God [1636.56 --> 1636.72] is [1636.72 --> 1637.02] dealing [1637.02 --> 1637.40] with [1637.40 --> 1638.44] than [1638.44 --> 1638.82] just [1638.82 --> 1639.10] you [1639.10 --> 1641.36] now [1641.36 --> 1641.68] I [1641.68 --> 1641.82] don't [1641.82 --> 1641.96] know [1641.96 --> 1642.16] for [1642.16 --> 1642.38] sure [1642.38 --> 1642.64] about [1642.64 --> 1642.92] that [1642.92 --> 1644.12] okay [1644.12 --> 1644.38] but [1644.38 --> 1644.52] I [1644.52 --> 1644.68] do [1644.68 --> 1644.88] know [1644.88 --> 1645.24] this [1645.24 --> 1646.62] God [1646.62 --> 1647.80] remembers [1647.80 --> 1649.40] God [1649.40 --> 1649.64] does [1649.64 --> 1649.94] not [1649.94 --> 1650.34] forget [1650.34 --> 1650.80] Joseph [1650.80 --> 1652.04] God [1652.04 --> 1652.56] knows [1652.56 --> 1653.54] your [1653.54 --> 1653.98] name [1653.98 --> 1655.40] and [1655.40 --> 1655.56] in [1655.56 --> 1655.80] that [1655.80 --> 1656.38] remembering [1656.38 --> 1656.78] we [1656.78 --> 1657.34] find a [1657.34 --> 1657.70] purpose [1657.70 --> 1658.20] and hope [1658.20 --> 1658.68] that [1658.68 --> 1659.14] nothing [1659.14 --> 1659.50] and [1659.50 --> 1659.76] no [1659.76 --> 1659.96] one [1659.96 --> 1660.42] not [1660.42 --> 1660.76] even [1660.76 --> 1661.14] death [1661.14 --> 1661.68] can [1661.68 --> 1662.18] destroy [1662.18 --> 1664.02] that's [1664.02 --> 1664.22] what [1664.22 --> 1664.54] Jesus [1664.54 --> 1664.98] taught [1664.98 --> 1665.18] us [1665.18 --> 1665.64] when [1665.64 --> 1665.80] he [1665.80 --> 1666.00] was [1666.00 --> 1666.16] on [1666.16 --> 1666.30] a [1666.30 --> 1666.66] cross [1666.66 --> 1668.12] that [1668.12 --> 1668.30] to [1668.30 --> 1668.48] be [1668.48 --> 1669.06] remembered [1669.06 --> 1669.32] by [1669.32 --> 1669.72] God [1669.72 --> 1670.92] and [1670.92 --> 1671.12] in [1671.12 --> 1671.34] turn [1671.34 --> 1671.54] to [1671.54 --> 1672.06] remember [1672.06 --> 1672.34] this [1672.34 --> 1672.62] God [1672.62 --> 1673.26] ourselves [1673.26 --> 1674.20] is [1674.20 --> 1674.36] to [1674.36 --> 1674.60] have [1674.60 --> 1674.76] a [1674.76 --> 1675.14] future [1675.14 --> 1676.12] a [1676.12 --> 1676.44] sure [1676.44 --> 1676.82] hope [1676.82 --> 1678.18] Jesus [1678.18 --> 1678.54] said [1678.54 --> 1678.70] the [1678.70 --> 1678.92] one [1678.92 --> 1679.38] criminal [1679.38 --> 1679.74] hanging [1679.74 --> 1680.18] beside [1680.18 --> 1680.36] him [1680.36 --> 1681.00] remember [1681.00 --> 1681.34] me [1681.34 --> 1681.60] when [1681.60 --> 1681.72] you [1681.72 --> 1682.00] come [1682.00 --> 1682.22] into [1682.22 --> 1682.42] your [1682.42 --> 1682.74] kingdom [1682.74 --> 1683.26] and [1683.26 --> 1683.40] he [1683.40 --> 1683.62] was [1683.62 --> 1683.94] not [1683.94 --> 1684.32] hoping [1684.32 --> 1684.54] that [1684.54 --> 1684.76] one [1684.76 --> 1684.94] day [1684.94 --> 1685.26] Jesus [1685.26 --> 1685.48] would [1685.48 --> 1685.60] be [1685.60 --> 1685.92] riding [1685.92 --> 1686.28] some [1686.28 --> 1686.58] white [1686.58 --> 1687.14] stallion [1687.14 --> 1687.58] into [1687.58 --> 1687.80] his [1687.80 --> 1688.14] heavenly [1688.14 --> 1688.54] kingdom [1688.54 --> 1688.84] only [1688.84 --> 1689.06] to [1689.06 --> 1689.22] say [1689.22 --> 1689.38] to [1689.38 --> 1689.80] somebody [1689.80 --> 1690.34] say [1690.34 --> 1690.64] do you [1690.64 --> 1691.08] remember [1691.08 --> 1691.48] that [1691.48 --> 1691.68] other [1691.68 --> 1691.96] fellow [1691.96 --> 1692.12] who [1692.12 --> 1692.38] died [1692.38 --> 1692.54] with [1692.54 --> 1692.66] me [1692.66 --> 1692.76] at [1692.76 --> 1693.14] Golgotha [1693.14 --> 1693.42] I [1693.42 --> 1694.04] remember [1694.04 --> 1694.42] him [1694.42 --> 1694.98] not [1694.98 --> 1695.14] a [1695.14 --> 1695.38] bad [1695.38 --> 1695.64] fellow [1695.64 --> 1695.80] in [1695.80 --> 1695.92] the [1695.92 --> 1696.12] end [1696.12 --> 1696.36] too [1696.36 --> 1696.74] bad [1696.74 --> 1697.16] he's [1697.16 --> 1697.42] gone [1697.42 --> 1697.76] now [1697.76 --> 1699.92] no [1699.92 --> 1700.42] God's [1700.42 --> 1700.86] remembering [1700.86 --> 1701.44] is not [1701.44 --> 1701.94] about [1701.94 --> 1703.24] recalling [1703.24 --> 1703.72] your [1703.72 --> 1704.14] CV [1704.14 --> 1705.64] but about [1705.64 --> 1706.22] remembering [1706.22 --> 1706.98] you [1706.98 --> 1707.74] loving [1707.74 --> 1708.68] you [1708.68 --> 1709.62] caring [1709.62 --> 1710.58] for you [1710.58 --> 1711.16] giving [1711.16 --> 1711.74] you [1711.74 --> 1712.54] a reason [1712.54 --> 1713.14] to live [1713.14 --> 1714.00] to be [1714.00 --> 1714.38] blessed [1714.38 --> 1714.82] and bless [1714.82 --> 1715.28] others [1715.28 --> 1716.56] and assure [1716.56 --> 1717.14] an eternal [1717.14 --> 1717.60] hope [1717.60 --> 1718.64] for the [1718.64 --> 1719.02] future [1719.02 --> 1721.32] God [1721.32 --> 1721.82] remembers [1721.82 --> 1722.54] his promise [1722.54 --> 1723.06] to bless [1723.06 --> 1723.50] Abraham [1723.50 --> 1724.74] and his [1724.74 --> 1725.24] descendants [1725.24 --> 1726.04] and thereby [1726.04 --> 1726.66] assures [1726.66 --> 1726.96] me [1726.96 --> 1728.18] he knows [1728.18 --> 1729.02] my name [1729.02 --> 1730.90] but he [1730.90 --> 1731.30] also [1731.30 --> 1731.88] remembers [1731.88 --> 1732.56] his promise [1732.56 --> 1733.08] to bless [1733.08 --> 1733.88] all peoples [1733.88 --> 1734.60] through [1734.60 --> 1735.02] Abraham [1735.02 --> 1735.62] and his [1735.62 --> 1736.12] descendants [1736.12 --> 1736.86] and thereby [1736.86 --> 1737.48] assures [1737.48 --> 1737.76] me [1737.76 --> 1738.54] that he [1738.54 --> 1738.96] knows [1738.96 --> 1739.40] and he [1739.40 --> 1739.80] rules [1739.80 --> 1740.54] all peoples [1740.54 --> 1741.10] and events [1741.10 --> 1742.02] today [1742.02 --> 1744.16] notice how [1744.16 --> 1744.80] Joseph tells [1744.80 --> 1745.14] Pharaoh [1745.14 --> 1745.66] like it [1745.66 --> 1746.00] is [1746.00 --> 1748.44] you see [1748.44 --> 1749.40] Pharaoh's [1749.40 --> 1750.08] authority [1750.08 --> 1751.04] and Pharaoh's [1751.04 --> 1751.52] power [1751.52 --> 1752.16] came from [1752.16 --> 1752.68] the fact [1752.68 --> 1754.28] that people [1754.28 --> 1754.84] believed [1754.84 --> 1755.54] Pharaoh [1755.54 --> 1756.50] was a [1756.50 --> 1756.80] god [1756.80 --> 1758.62] that Pharaoh [1758.62 --> 1759.20] could give [1759.20 --> 1760.06] them life [1760.06 --> 1760.86] and a [1760.86 --> 1761.18] future [1761.18 --> 1762.50] and that [1762.50 --> 1763.00] life and [1763.00 --> 1763.34] future [1763.34 --> 1763.86] were tied [1763.86 --> 1764.42] up with [1764.42 --> 1764.80] the Nile [1764.80 --> 1765.18] river [1765.18 --> 1766.30] Egyptian [1766.30 --> 1766.88] religion [1766.88 --> 1767.32] taught [1767.32 --> 1768.16] that Ra [1768.16 --> 1768.94] the sun [1768.94 --> 1769.36] god [1769.36 --> 1770.24] whose priests [1770.24 --> 1770.70] were on [1770.70 --> 1771.36] Pharaoh's [1771.36 --> 1771.88] payroll [1771.88 --> 1772.90] guaranteed [1772.90 --> 1773.64] the regular [1773.64 --> 1774.38] annual [1774.38 --> 1775.38] Nile floods [1775.38 --> 1776.12] that watered [1776.12 --> 1776.74] the crops [1776.74 --> 1777.36] of Egypt [1777.36 --> 1778.38] the regular [1778.38 --> 1779.16] ebb and [1779.16 --> 1779.72] flow of [1779.72 --> 1780.22] the Nile [1780.22 --> 1780.94] under the [1780.94 --> 1781.70] control of [1781.70 --> 1782.24] Ra and [1782.24 --> 1782.78] his agent [1782.78 --> 1783.26] Pharaoh [1783.26 --> 1784.22] allowed [1784.22 --> 1784.78] Pharaoh [1784.78 --> 1785.36] in the [1785.36 --> 1785.70] eyes [1785.70 --> 1785.98] of the [1785.98 --> 1786.34] people [1786.34 --> 1786.82] to [1786.82 --> 1787.50] generate [1787.50 --> 1787.98] and [1787.98 --> 1788.52] guarantee [1788.52 --> 1789.64] life [1789.64 --> 1792.26] now [1792.26 --> 1792.94] here [1792.94 --> 1793.78] is this [1793.78 --> 1794.26] Hebrew [1794.26 --> 1795.18] jailbird [1795.18 --> 1796.26] Joseph [1796.26 --> 1797.68] standing [1797.68 --> 1798.12] in front [1798.12 --> 1798.30] of [1798.30 --> 1798.64] Pharaoh [1798.64 --> 1799.64] with [1799.64 --> 1800.16] the gall [1800.16 --> 1800.86] to declare [1800.86 --> 1802.82] God [1802.82 --> 1803.54] has revealed [1803.54 --> 1804.16] to the [1804.16 --> 1804.48] Pharaoh [1804.48 --> 1805.26] what [1805.26 --> 1805.92] God [1805.92 --> 1806.88] is about [1806.88 --> 1807.36] to do [1807.36 --> 1809.34] in that [1809.34 --> 1810.22] one sentence [1810.22 --> 1810.74] there is [1810.74 --> 1811.54] a major [1811.54 --> 1812.40] shift [1812.40 --> 1812.82] in the [1812.82 --> 1813.14] whole [1813.14 --> 1813.70] balance [1813.70 --> 1814.36] of power [1814.36 --> 1814.98] in the [1814.98 --> 1815.56] throne room [1815.56 --> 1816.40] of Egypt [1816.40 --> 1818.02] Pharaoh's [1818.02 --> 1818.38] dreams [1818.38 --> 1819.16] reveal a [1819.16 --> 1819.56] future [1819.56 --> 1820.12] over which [1820.12 --> 1820.66] Pharaoh [1820.66 --> 1822.20] cannot cause [1822.20 --> 1823.44] rather [1823.44 --> 1824.14] over which [1824.14 --> 1824.52] Pharaoh [1824.52 --> 1824.90] and his [1824.90 --> 1825.14] priests [1825.14 --> 1825.38] have [1825.38 --> 1826.10] absolutely [1826.10 --> 1827.48] no control [1827.48 --> 1828.96] suddenly [1828.96 --> 1829.38] it is [1829.38 --> 1829.72] clear [1829.72 --> 1829.98] that [1829.98 --> 1830.42] Pharaoh [1830.42 --> 1831.02] cannot [1831.02 --> 1831.56] cause [1831.56 --> 1832.20] Pharaoh [1832.20 --> 1832.80] cannot [1832.80 --> 1833.28] guarantee [1833.28 --> 1834.28] the future [1834.28 --> 1835.90] it is [1835.90 --> 1836.30] the God [1836.30 --> 1836.84] of Israel [1836.84 --> 1838.80] not Ra [1838.80 --> 1840.56] not [1840.56 --> 1840.98] Pharaoh [1840.98 --> 1842.60] the God [1842.60 --> 1843.12] of Israel [1843.12 --> 1844.38] who controls [1844.38 --> 1845.20] plenty [1845.20 --> 1846.24] and famine [1846.24 --> 1847.52] the God [1847.52 --> 1848.06] of Israel [1848.06 --> 1849.02] who has [1849.02 --> 1849.60] the taps [1849.60 --> 1850.02] of the [1850.02 --> 1850.60] great Nile [1850.60 --> 1850.94] river [1850.94 --> 1852.04] in his [1852.04 --> 1852.42] hand [1852.42 --> 1855.34] Joseph [1855.34 --> 1856.00] declares [1856.00 --> 1856.52] that his [1856.52 --> 1856.94] God [1856.94 --> 1857.36] the God [1857.36 --> 1857.86] of Abraham [1857.86 --> 1858.68] Isaac [1858.68 --> 1859.36] and Jacob [1859.36 --> 1860.98] owns [1860.98 --> 1861.64] the future [1861.64 --> 1863.62] a claim [1863.62 --> 1864.08] that is at [1864.08 --> 1864.70] the very [1864.70 --> 1865.44] foundation [1865.44 --> 1866.38] of biblical [1866.38 --> 1867.36] faith [1867.36 --> 1868.62] we see it [1868.62 --> 1869.06] again [1869.06 --> 1870.04] and again [1870.04 --> 1870.94] we see it [1870.94 --> 1871.28] when a [1871.28 --> 1871.58] Pharaoh [1871.58 --> 1872.58] 400 years [1872.58 --> 1873.00] later [1873.00 --> 1873.90] responds [1873.90 --> 1874.38] to Moses [1874.38 --> 1874.88] demand [1874.88 --> 1875.18] that he [1875.18 --> 1875.84] let God's [1875.84 --> 1876.38] people go [1876.38 --> 1877.00] by saying [1877.00 --> 1877.74] who is the [1877.74 --> 1877.94] Lord [1877.94 --> 1878.32] that I [1878.32 --> 1878.50] should [1878.50 --> 1879.08] obey him [1879.08 --> 1880.14] and let [1880.14 --> 1880.46] Israel [1880.46 --> 1880.84] go [1880.84 --> 1883.00] and God [1883.00 --> 1883.86] destroys him [1883.86 --> 1884.14] and his [1884.14 --> 1884.52] army [1884.52 --> 1885.46] in the [1885.46 --> 1885.98] Red Sea [1885.98 --> 1888.12] we see it [1888.12 --> 1888.38] when the [1888.38 --> 1889.04] infant Jesus [1889.04 --> 1889.72] is threatened [1889.72 --> 1890.42] by the [1890.42 --> 1890.74] envious [1890.74 --> 1891.28] power [1891.28 --> 1892.02] of King [1892.02 --> 1892.42] Herod [1892.42 --> 1894.14] we see it [1894.14 --> 1894.50] when Jesus [1894.50 --> 1894.98] stands [1894.98 --> 1895.80] before Pilate [1895.80 --> 1896.36] and declares [1896.36 --> 1897.08] you would [1897.08 --> 1897.48] have no [1897.48 --> 1898.18] power over [1898.18 --> 1898.56] me [1898.56 --> 1899.24] if it [1899.24 --> 1899.54] were not [1899.54 --> 1900.06] given to [1900.06 --> 1900.42] you [1900.42 --> 1901.50] from above [1901.50 --> 1903.72] no matter [1903.72 --> 1904.18] what the [1904.18 --> 1904.80] history books [1904.80 --> 1905.12] say [1905.12 --> 1906.46] no matter [1906.46 --> 1907.54] whose hand [1907.54 --> 1908.36] seems to be [1908.36 --> 1908.72] on the [1908.72 --> 1909.06] levers [1909.06 --> 1910.14] of power [1910.14 --> 1910.62] in our [1910.62 --> 1911.30] world today [1911.30 --> 1912.42] you can name [1912.42 --> 1912.96] every name [1912.96 --> 1913.48] you care to [1913.48 --> 1913.74] name [1913.74 --> 1915.34] ultimately [1915.34 --> 1916.42] God [1916.42 --> 1917.00] is in [1917.00 --> 1917.38] charge [1917.38 --> 1919.06] this is [1919.06 --> 1920.06] Joseph's [1920.06 --> 1920.32] earth [1920.32 --> 1921.30] shaking [1921.30 --> 1922.20] claim [1922.20 --> 1923.94] Egypt [1923.94 --> 1924.56] shaking [1924.56 --> 1925.04] claim [1925.04 --> 1926.38] as [1926.38 --> 1926.54] he [1926.54 --> 1927.16] interprets [1927.16 --> 1927.74] Pharaoh's [1927.74 --> 1928.06] dream [1928.06 --> 1930.38] and God [1930.38 --> 1931.30] uses us [1931.30 --> 1931.92] to stake [1931.92 --> 1932.68] his claim [1932.68 --> 1933.80] to bless [1933.80 --> 1934.28] others [1934.28 --> 1935.48] God [1935.48 --> 1935.96] and Joseph [1935.96 --> 1936.82] work together [1936.82 --> 1937.56] toward the [1937.56 --> 1938.18] future of [1938.18 --> 1938.70] feeding a [1938.70 --> 1939.38] hungry world [1939.38 --> 1941.22] God's plan [1941.22 --> 1941.98] is implemented [1941.98 --> 1943.26] by Joseph's [1943.26 --> 1943.74] gifts of [1943.74 --> 1944.46] imagination [1944.46 --> 1945.54] and administration [1945.54 --> 1946.82] it is one [1946.82 --> 1947.38] thing that is [1947.38 --> 1948.04] to trust in [1948.04 --> 1948.50] the God [1948.50 --> 1949.16] who knows [1949.16 --> 1949.50] when the [1949.50 --> 1949.84] sparrow [1949.84 --> 1950.30] falls [1950.30 --> 1950.96] who numbers [1950.96 --> 1951.44] the very [1951.44 --> 1951.96] hairs on [1951.96 --> 1952.44] my head [1952.44 --> 1953.40] God also [1953.40 --> 1954.38] uses those [1954.38 --> 1954.78] heads [1954.78 --> 1955.74] of ours [1955.74 --> 1957.10] God's [1957.10 --> 1957.66] plans [1957.66 --> 1958.56] to bless [1958.56 --> 1959.36] all peoples [1959.36 --> 1959.78] do not [1959.78 --> 1960.44] override [1960.44 --> 1961.16] our human [1961.16 --> 1961.92] intelligence [1961.92 --> 1962.88] discernment [1962.88 --> 1963.46] care [1963.46 --> 1964.14] and planning [1964.14 --> 1964.94] but God [1964.94 --> 1965.54] invites [1965.54 --> 1966.22] commands [1966.22 --> 1966.92] our [1966.92 --> 1967.50] participation [1967.50 --> 1968.30] with him [1968.30 --> 1969.14] love the [1969.14 --> 1969.52] Lord your [1969.52 --> 1969.86] God [1969.86 --> 1970.34] it says [1970.34 --> 1970.62] in the [1970.62 --> 1971.16] New Testament [1971.16 --> 1971.70] with all [1971.70 --> 1972.38] your heart [1972.38 --> 1973.28] soul [1973.28 --> 1974.12] strength [1974.12 --> 1975.72] and mind [1975.72 --> 1977.70] yes [1977.70 --> 1978.32] Joseph's [1978.32 --> 1978.74] godliness [1978.74 --> 1979.54] shines through [1979.54 --> 1980.06] in his [1980.06 --> 1980.50] resistance [1980.50 --> 1980.88] to the [1980.88 --> 1981.46] temptations [1981.46 --> 1982.28] of Potiphar's [1982.28 --> 1982.62] wife [1982.62 --> 1983.62] in his [1983.62 --> 1984.02] faith [1984.02 --> 1984.30] while he [1984.30 --> 1984.92] is begotten [1984.92 --> 1985.42] in prison [1985.42 --> 1985.96] in his [1985.96 --> 1986.72] interpretation [1986.72 --> 1987.62] of the [1987.62 --> 1988.16] pharaoh's [1988.16 --> 1988.54] dream [1988.54 --> 1990.30] but it [1990.30 --> 1991.16] also comes [1991.16 --> 1991.52] through [1991.52 --> 1992.26] in a [1992.26 --> 1992.70] grand [1992.70 --> 1993.76] 14 year [1993.76 --> 1994.46] economic [1994.46 --> 1994.98] plan [1994.98 --> 1995.72] that will [1995.72 --> 1996.14] feed [1996.14 --> 1996.78] a hungry [1996.78 --> 1997.46] world [1997.46 --> 1999.42] God's [1999.42 --> 1999.86] work is [1999.86 --> 2000.40] not limited [2000.40 --> 2000.86] to what [2000.86 --> 2001.46] goes on [2001.46 --> 2001.92] in church [2001.92 --> 2002.26] or in [2002.26 --> 2002.76] our personal [2002.76 --> 2003.22] lives [2003.22 --> 2004.10] God works [2004.10 --> 2004.80] in politics [2004.80 --> 2005.54] and government [2005.54 --> 2006.40] and management [2006.40 --> 2007.30] of the economy [2007.30 --> 2008.28] God doesn't [2008.28 --> 2008.94] just feed [2008.94 --> 2009.36] the poor [2009.36 --> 2009.72] with an [2009.72 --> 2010.26] occasional [2010.26 --> 2011.16] miraculous [2011.16 --> 2011.86] multiplying [2011.86 --> 2012.32] of a few [2012.32 --> 2012.70] loaves [2012.70 --> 2013.20] and fish [2013.20 --> 2014.06] but also [2014.06 --> 2014.74] through spirit [2014.74 --> 2015.66] gifted people [2015.66 --> 2016.78] the policies [2016.78 --> 2017.36] of just [2017.36 --> 2017.84] and caring [2017.84 --> 2018.30] leaders [2018.30 --> 2019.16] of business [2019.16 --> 2019.56] people [2019.56 --> 2020.34] of relief [2020.34 --> 2020.72] planners [2020.72 --> 2021.34] and yes [2021.34 --> 2022.80] even ordinary [2022.80 --> 2023.70] people like [2023.70 --> 2024.08] us [2024.08 --> 2025.10] giving and [2025.10 --> 2025.52] sharing [2025.52 --> 2026.46] where we are [2026.46 --> 2026.88] able [2026.88 --> 2028.12] especially this [2028.12 --> 2028.58] Thanksgiving [2028.58 --> 2029.12] weekend [2029.12 --> 2031.44] but listen [2031.44 --> 2032.24] God [2032.24 --> 2033.34] is in [2033.34 --> 2033.80] control [2033.80 --> 2035.38] God [2035.38 --> 2036.38] ultimately [2036.38 --> 2037.12] rules [2037.12 --> 2037.78] world [2037.78 --> 2038.42] affairs [2038.42 --> 2039.42] this [2039.42 --> 2039.78] too [2039.78 --> 2040.08] is [2040.08 --> 2040.26] the [2040.26 --> 2040.68] gospel [2040.68 --> 2041.02] of [2041.02 --> 2041.40] Genesis [2041.40 --> 2041.90] 40 [2041.90 --> 2042.88] and 41 [2042.88 --> 2044.62] and ultimately [2044.62 --> 2045.38] that gospel [2045.38 --> 2045.94] of Joseph [2045.94 --> 2046.56] points to [2046.56 --> 2047.12] the person [2047.12 --> 2048.12] in the center [2048.12 --> 2048.76] of all [2048.76 --> 2049.32] of history [2049.32 --> 2050.66] Jesus Christ [2050.66 --> 2051.46] God [2051.46 --> 2052.68] with us [2052.68 --> 2053.74] who also [2053.74 --> 2054.38] challenged [2054.38 --> 2055.02] the powers [2055.02 --> 2055.68] of this world [2055.68 --> 2056.00] and they [2056.00 --> 2056.72] lifted him [2056.72 --> 2057.00] up [2057.00 --> 2058.64] on a cross [2058.64 --> 2059.62] and they [2059.62 --> 2060.24] killed him [2060.24 --> 2061.74] but on the [2061.74 --> 2062.24] third day [2062.24 --> 2062.80] he rose [2062.80 --> 2063.16] from the [2063.16 --> 2063.42] dead [2063.42 --> 2064.56] and just [2064.56 --> 2065.04] as all [2065.04 --> 2065.52] were once [2065.52 --> 2065.98] commanded [2065.98 --> 2066.58] to bow [2066.58 --> 2067.00] before [2067.00 --> 2067.50] Joseph [2067.50 --> 2068.48] so as [2068.48 --> 2069.22] Paul wrote [2069.22 --> 2069.84] to Christians [2069.84 --> 2070.60] in Philippi [2070.60 --> 2071.42] God [2071.42 --> 2072.06] exalted [2072.06 --> 2072.52] Jesus [2072.52 --> 2073.54] to the [2073.54 --> 2073.96] highest [2073.96 --> 2074.44] place [2074.44 --> 2075.44] and gave [2075.44 --> 2075.92] him the [2075.92 --> 2076.14] name [2076.14 --> 2076.52] that is [2076.52 --> 2076.84] above [2076.84 --> 2077.44] every [2077.44 --> 2077.82] name [2077.82 --> 2078.70] that at [2078.70 --> 2079.24] the name [2079.24 --> 2079.76] of Jesus [2079.76 --> 2080.74] every knee [2080.74 --> 2081.36] should bow [2081.36 --> 2082.34] in heaven [2082.34 --> 2083.00] and on earth [2083.00 --> 2083.46] and under [2083.46 --> 2083.98] the earth [2083.98 --> 2085.28] and every [2085.28 --> 2085.56] tongue [2085.56 --> 2086.18] confess [2086.18 --> 2087.40] that Jesus [2087.40 --> 2088.04] Christ [2088.04 --> 2088.76] is Lord [2088.76 --> 2090.10] to the glory [2090.10 --> 2091.08] of God [2091.08 --> 2091.64] the Father [2091.64 --> 2092.96] this [2092.96 --> 2094.88] this is [2094.88 --> 2095.52] God's [2095.52 --> 2096.34] ultimate [2096.34 --> 2097.26] dream [2097.26 --> 2098.94] the ultimate [2098.94 --> 2099.58] fulfillment [2099.58 --> 2100.02] of his [2100.02 --> 2100.52] promise [2100.52 --> 2101.72] to Abraham [2101.72 --> 2103.32] in that [2103.32 --> 2103.72] dream [2103.72 --> 2104.44] lies the [2104.44 --> 2104.82] hope [2104.82 --> 2105.52] and the [2105.52 --> 2105.90] future [2105.90 --> 2106.66] and the [2106.66 --> 2107.04] blessing [2107.04 --> 2107.96] of the [2107.96 --> 2108.40] world [2108.40 --> 2110.02] this [2110.02 --> 2110.54] faithful [2110.54 --> 2111.02] covenant [2111.02 --> 2111.56] God [2111.56 --> 2112.66] always [2112.66 --> 2113.24] remembers [2113.24 --> 2114.64] he knows [2114.64 --> 2115.82] my name [2115.82 --> 2117.74] which [2117.74 --> 2118.24] leaves us [2118.24 --> 2118.76] to answer [2118.76 --> 2119.44] just one [2119.44 --> 2120.58] very simple [2120.58 --> 2121.34] but important [2121.34 --> 2121.88] question [2121.88 --> 2123.72] what will [2123.72 --> 2124.16] you do [2124.16 --> 2124.64] even [2124.64 --> 2125.54] this week [2125.54 --> 2126.86] so that [2126.86 --> 2127.40] others in [2127.40 --> 2128.10] your circle [2128.10 --> 2128.90] of influence [2128.90 --> 2130.12] and in the [2130.12 --> 2130.48] world [2130.48 --> 2131.62] will come [2131.62 --> 2132.16] to know [2132.16 --> 2133.64] his name [2133.64 --> 2135.64] in the name [2135.64 --> 2135.92] of the [2135.92 --> 2136.38] Father and [2136.38 --> 2136.78] the Son [2136.78 --> 2138.04] and the Holy [2138.04 --> 2138.42] Spirit [2138.42 --> 2139.82] let's pray [2139.82 --> 2142.52] gracious God [2142.52 --> 2143.26] we thank you [2143.26 --> 2144.80] especially on [2144.80 --> 2145.08] this [2145.08 --> 2146.38] Thanksgiving [2146.38 --> 2146.98] weekend [2146.98 --> 2148.46] for the [2148.46 --> 2148.86] gospel [2148.86 --> 2149.70] that we [2149.70 --> 2150.12] have heard [2150.12 --> 2150.52] today [2150.52 --> 2152.28] that you [2152.28 --> 2152.76] remember [2152.76 --> 2153.02] your [2153.02 --> 2153.38] covenant [2153.38 --> 2155.10] and you [2155.10 --> 2155.56] know our [2155.56 --> 2155.86] name [2155.86 --> 2157.46] that you [2157.46 --> 2157.92] remember [2157.92 --> 2158.56] your covenant [2158.56 --> 2159.22] with Abraham [2159.22 --> 2161.18] and you [2161.18 --> 2161.46] are the [2161.46 --> 2161.74] one [2161.74 --> 2162.88] who rules [2162.88 --> 2163.98] all things [2163.98 --> 2165.58] may that [2165.58 --> 2166.02] give us [2166.02 --> 2166.56] Lord in [2166.56 --> 2167.32] these chaotic [2167.32 --> 2167.92] times [2167.92 --> 2169.60] a sense [2169.60 --> 2170.16] of peace [2170.16 --> 2171.68] a sense [2171.68 --> 2172.54] of confidence [2172.54 --> 2173.60] a sense [2173.60 --> 2174.22] of trust [2174.22 --> 2175.84] and a [2175.84 --> 2176.32] strong [2176.32 --> 2177.02] and firm [2177.02 --> 2177.48] hope [2177.48 --> 2179.06] for this [2179.06 --> 2179.38] day [2179.38 --> 2180.30] and for [2180.30 --> 2180.80] the future [2180.80 --> 2182.58] we pray [2182.58 --> 2183.10] in Jesus [2183.10 --> 2183.54] name [2183.54 --> 2184.34] amen