Famine Dreaming
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MESSAGE – Rev. Dr. Dale Thiele
Genesis: Foundations for Life
Famine Dreaming
- Pharaoh and Human Ability
- Joseph and God’s Sovereignty
Questions for Further Study or Group Discussion:
- Read Genesis 41:1-37. What catches your attention from this passage? Why?
- Why is Pharaoh troubled after the dreams (v. 8)? To whom does he turn for help? In whom does he trust? What does this reveal about his worldview (i.e. his understanding of how the world works)?
- Why is Joseph’s response in verse 16 remarkable? Joseph has been a slave and in prison for thirteen years. Why/How does he still have faith in God?
- Joseph speaks of God before Pharaoh in four verses (v. 16, 25, 28, & 32). What do we learn of Joseph’s worldview from these references?
- In what ways is God being gracious to Pharaoh through these dreams?
- Does the sovereignty of God necessitate fatalism? Fatalism is the belief that everything is fixed and determined and that no human choice makes a difference. Take into consideration Joseph’s advice in verses 33-36. Cf. Jer. 18:7-10.
Memory Verse of the Week:
Psalm 115:3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (ESV)
