Lesson 5
Read Genesis 41:33-47 - https://www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.41.esv
- Creativity – the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems
- Decisiveness – able to make choices quickly and confidently
- Efficiency – able to accomplish something with the least waste of time and effort
- Resourcefulness - able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations

Joseph continued speaking to Pharaoh after God revealed the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. “Pharaoh should put a wise, experienced man in charge of Egypt, and appoint managers throughout the country to collect food during the years of plenty and store it. That way Egypt will have grain during the seven years of famine.”

Pharaoh and his officials thought this was a good idea, and Pharaoh suggested Joseph be made the person in charge. “You’re our man, Joseph. Your God has favored you with unusual experience and wisdom. From this time forward, you’re in charge; everyone will report to you. I will be the only one in Egypt higher in rank than you.”

To show Joseph had been placed over the whole country of Egypt, Pharaoh put his signet ring on Joseph’s finger. He called for the finest robes and a heavy gold chain for him to wear around his neck. The second-in-command chariot was now Joseph’s, and the people would cheer as he rode by. Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name which meant “God Speaks and He Lives.” He also gave him a wife who was an Egyptian priest’s daughter.

Joseph was thirty years old when he began to work for Pharaoh. During the next seven years, the land produced an amazing amount of crops. Joseph stored the extra food in the cities. He collected so much grain he didn’t even keep records of how much was stored – it was like the sand of the ocean.

Joseph’s Egyptian wife bore two sons during the years of plenty. Joseph named the first son Manasseh, which means “Forget,” because God had enabled him to forget all his hardships. The second son was named Ephraim, which means “Double Prosperity,” because God has prospered him in the land of his sorrow.

Egypt’s seven bountiful years came to an end and the seven years of famine began, just as God had revealed to Joseph. All the countries around Egypt also experienced the famine, but Egypt was the only country with grain.

When the Egyptian people came to Pharaoh complaining they had no bread, he told them to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them to do. As the famine got worse, Joseph sold emergency supplies to the Egyptians from the store-houses. The famine touched the whole known world, so everyone was coming to Egypt to buy supplies.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*What character traits did Pharaoh see in Joseph which caused him to elevate Joseph?
*What character traits will you ask God to develop in your life so you will be prepared for future opportunities He has for you?
*What character traits do you see God developing in members of your family?