Powerpoint Pictures: Find sound effects for the following – Fire Alarm; Car Alarm; Snow Weather Forecast; Air Raid Siren

Listen to the following sounds and tell me what they are warning you about? [Fire alarm, car alarm, snow warning weather forecast, air raid siren].

The two dreams that Pharaoh had were a warning from God.  The problem Pharaoh had was that no-one could tell him what the warning was, because no-one could tell him what the dreams meant.

It was just then that the cupbearer remembered Joseph.  Pharaoh sent for him right away.  When Joseph appeared before Pharaoh, he said that only God could explain Pharaoh’s dream.  “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16)

Joseph then told Pharaoh what the dreams meant.  He said that there was going to be plenty of food for 7 years before 7 years of famine where there won’t be enough food to eat.  God is definitely going to do this so you’re going to need to put a wise man in charge of the land to make sure that enough food is collected for the years of famine.

Pharaoh’s response was to say 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)

So Joseph went from being a prisoner to being the prime minister, and during the next 7 years collected loads of food  which he stored in the cities of Egypt.

Then after 7 years the famine began.  The Egyptians had plenty to eat.  But the famine wasn’t just in Egypt, it was everywhere including Canaan where Joseph’s family lived, and soon they ran out of food.

What would they do?  If they did nothing they would surely starve and die, and if that happened what would happen to God’s promise to Abraham that they would be a great nation?  And what would happen to the promise of Saviour?