Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「約瑟回答法老說：這不在乎我，神必將平安的話回答法老。」——創世記41:16
創世記41章一開始說：「過了兩年，法老作夢。」這一句連接著上一章最後一句：「酒政卻不記念約瑟，竟忘了他。」（創40:23）
約瑟曾在監牢裡幫助酒政解夢，也請他在法老面前記念自己，救他出監牢。可是酒政出監後，竟然忘記了約瑟，而且不是幾日、幾個月，而是整整兩年。
對約瑟來說，這兩年不是容易的日子。他被哥哥出賣，被賣到埃及；在波提乏家中忠心，卻被誣告下監；在監牢裡幫助人，卻又被人忘記。
但創世記41章讓我們看見，人可以忘記，神沒有忘記。人的記念會遲延，神的時間卻不會錯過。到了神所定的時候，神讓法老作夢，讓埃及所有術士和智慧人都不能解釋，然後酒政才想起約瑟。
這一次，約瑟不是靠自己爭取機會，而是在神的安排中被帶出監牢，站在法老面前。神不只是要救約瑟離開監牢，更是要預備約瑟承接一個更大的祝福和託付。
所以創世記41章不是單單講約瑟從監牢升高成為埃及宰相，而是讓我們看見，神怎樣在等候中塑造一個生命，使他在機會來到時高舉神，最後能承接祝福，成為祝福別人的器皿。
一、在被忘記中，學會等候神
創世記40章最後說：「酒政卻不記念約瑟，竟忘了他。」到了41章一開始，聖經說：「過了兩年，法老作夢。」
這兩節經文放在一起，讓我們感受到約瑟裡面的等候。酒政忘記他，但約瑟仍然在監牢裡。人沒有記念他，環境沒有改變，出路好像仍然沒有打開。
可是，神沒有忘記約瑟。那兩年的等候，不是神離開了他，也不是神失信了，而是神仍然在背後掌權。
如果酒政一出監就立刻記起約瑟，也許約瑟只是被釋放出監；但神讓他等到法老作夢的時候才被記起，因為神不是只要約瑟得自由，神是要把他帶到一個可以治理埃及、保存許多人生命的位置。
人看為延遲，神看為預備；人看為被忘記，神卻仍然在安排。約瑟在監牢裡的兩年，不是浪費，而是神繼續塑造他生命的時間。
神要預備我們承接祝福，往往先帶我們學會等候祂。因為一個不能等候神的人，當祝福來到時，很容易用自己的方法抓住；但一個在等候中被神塑造的人，才會知道祝福不是靠自己爭回來，而是從神手中領受的。
二、在機會面前，學會高舉神
到了神的時候，約瑟突然被帶出監牢。聖經說：「法老遂即差人去召約瑟，他們便急忙帶他出監，他就剃頭、刮臉、換衣裳，進到法老面前。」（創41:14）
這是一個很大的轉變。約瑟從監牢裡被帶出來，站在埃及最高權柄法老面前。法老對他說：「我聽見人說，你聽了夢就能解。」這是一個可以表現自己的機會，也是一個可以為自己爭取出路的機會。
但約瑟說：「這不在乎我，神必將平安的話回答法老。」（創41:16）
這句話顯出約瑟的生命已經被神塑造。他沒有急著說自己有能力，也沒有急著為自己申冤，更沒有趁這個機會高舉自己。他第一時間把焦點轉向神。
約瑟不是沒有恩賜，他確實能解夢；約瑟不是沒有智慧，他後來也提出治理埃及的方案。但他知道，真正的啟示和答案是從神而來。
他說：「神必將平安的話回答法老。」法老心裡不安，埃及的術士和智慧人都不能給答案，但約瑟知道神能夠說出平安的話。
這不是因為約瑟的人生一直平安順利。相反，他經歷過出賣、冤屈、監牢和被忘記。但正是在這些經歷中，約瑟更深認識神。他知道神不是混亂的神，也不是羞辱人的神；神是在黑暗中仍然掌權，在困境中仍然帶領，在人不明白的日子仍然預備出路的神。
一個預備承接祝福的人，不只是等到機會來到，更是在機會來到時仍然高舉神。若生命沒有被塑造，機會來到時，人會急著證明自己，急著抓住好處，急著為自己出頭。但約瑟讓我們看見，真正成熟的生命，是在機會面前仍然謙卑，知道「這不在乎我」。
三、在託付之中，成為祝福出口
約瑟不單為法老解夢，指出七個豐年和七個荒年，他也提出一個很清楚的治理方案。
他說：「所以法老當揀選一個有聰明有智慧的人，派他治理埃及地。」（創41:33）
約瑟沒有只是解釋問題，他也幫助法老明白怎樣承接神所顯明的事。神讓法老作夢，不只是讓他知道將來會發生什麼，更是要他在豐年時預備，在荒年時保存生命。
這裡讓我們看見，約瑟的眼光已經不只是停在自己身上。他沒有只想著自己怎樣離開監牢，怎樣得回自由，怎樣為自己伸冤。他站在一個服事和治理的位置，看見埃及的需要，看見將來饑荒的危機，也看見神給人的提醒是要人預備。
正因如此，法老和臣僕都看出約瑟身上的不一樣。法老說：「像這樣的人，有神的靈在他裡頭，我們豈能找得著呢？」（創41:38）於是法老立約瑟治理埃及全地，使他成為一人之下、萬人之上。
約瑟沒有為自己抓住好處，但神把祝福交在他手中。他得著權柄，得著新的衣服、戒指、金鍊和車輛，也得著家庭和兒女。更重要的是，他被放在一個能夠保存許多人生命的位置。
約瑟後來給兩個兒子起名，也顯出他對神工作的認識。長子名叫瑪拿西，因為他說：「神使我忘了一切的困苦和我父的全家。」次子名叫以法蓮，因為他說：「神使我在受苦的地方昌盛。」（創41:51–52）
約瑟不是否認過去的痛苦，也不是假裝自己沒有受傷。他是真知道神在他的生命中作了醫治和恢復的工作。神使他不再被過去的痛苦捆綁，也使他在受苦之地昌盛。
在人看來，埃及是約瑟被賣去的地方，監牢是他被冤屈的地方。但在神手中，受苦之地也可以成為昌盛之地，羞辱之地也可以成為預備之地，黑暗之地也可以成為神塑造生命的地方。
神給約瑟的祝福，不只是讓他個人翻身，而是讓他成為祝福的出口。當荒年來到時，不只是埃及人得保存，連迦南地雅各一家也因著約瑟得保存。神在約瑟身上的祝福，最後成為許多人生命的供應。
總結：
創世記41章讓我們看見，一個能承接祝福的生命，是經過神預備的生命。
約瑟在被忘記中學會等候神；在機會面前學會高舉神；在託付之中成為祝福的出口。
這章不是單單告訴我們，約瑟終於成功了；這章更深告訴我們，神怎樣藉著漫長的等候、人的遺忘、監牢的日子，塑造約瑟成為一個能承接祝福的人。
神的祝福不只是給人享受，神的祝福也帶著託付。若生命沒有被塑造，祝福可能會變成人的驕傲；若心沒有被神調整，機會可能會變成自我高舉的舞台。但當一個人願意在等候中讓神塑造，在機會中高舉神，在託付中服事人，神就能把祝福交在他手中，使他成為祝福別人的器皿。
今天我們也要相信，人可以忘記我們，神沒有忘記我們。環境可以延遲，神的時間不會錯過。只要我們願意在神手中被預備，祂能在合適的時候，把我們帶進祂所預備的祝福和託付裡。
生命省察：
我是否因為被人忘記、事情延遲，就以為神也忘記了我？當機會來到時，我是否仍然記得高舉神，而不是高舉自己？我是否願意讓神使用我的生命，使我不只是得祝福，也成為祝福別人的出口？
禱告回應：主啊，求祢幫助我在等候中仍然相信祢。當人忘記我，求祢提醒我，祢從來沒有忘記我。求祢塑造我的生命，使我在機會來到時不高舉自己，乃是高舉祢。也求祢使我預備好承接祢的祝福，成為祝福別人的器皿。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 41
1 兩年後，法老做了個夢，夢見自己站在尼羅河邊， 2 有七頭肥美、健壯的母牛從河裡上來，在蘆葦叢中吃草。 3 隨後又有七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛從河裡上來，與那七頭母牛一同站在河邊。 4 後來，七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉了七頭肥美、健壯的母牛。這時，法老醒了過來。
5 之後，他又睡著了，又做了個夢。他夢見一株麥子上長了七個飽滿的穗子。 6 後來這株麥子上面又長了七個乾癟的穗子，它們被東風吹乾了。 7 七個乾癟的穗子吞食了七個飽滿的穗子。法老醒過來，原來是一場夢。
8 早上法老心中不安，就派人召來埃及所有的術士和博學之士，把夢告訴他們，可是沒有一個人能為他解夢。
9 後來，侍酒總管對法老說：「我今天才想起我的罪過。 10 我從前和膳食總管惹王生氣，被王囚禁在護衛長府內的牢裡。 11 一天晚上，我倆都做了夢。 12 當時有一個希伯來青年跟我們一起被囚在牢裡，他是護衛長的僕人。我們把夢告訴他，他就分別為我們解夢。 13 後來，他為我們解的夢都應驗了，我恢復了原職，膳食總管被掛在木頭上處死了。」
14 於是，法老派人去召約瑟，他們急忙釋放約瑟。約瑟剃頭刮臉，更換衣服，去見法老。 15 法老對約瑟說：「我做了一個夢，沒有人能為我解夢。我聽說你能解夢。」 16 約瑟回答說：「我自己不會解夢，但上帝卻能給王圓滿的解釋。」
17 法老對約瑟說：「我夢見自己站在尼羅河邊， 18 有七頭肥美、健壯的母牛從河裡上來，在蘆葦叢中吃草。 19 隨後又有七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛從河裡上來，我在埃及從來沒有見過有這麼醜陋的牛。 20 這些醜陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉先前的七頭肥母牛。 21 可是，牠們吃了以後卻仍然像以前那麼醜陋。這時，我就醒了。 22 後來我又夢見一株麥子，上面長了七個飽滿的穗子， 23 接著又長出七個乾癟的穗子， 24 這些乾癟的穗子吞了那七個飽滿的穗子。我把夢告訴了術士，卻沒有人能為我解夢。」
25 約瑟對法老說：「王的夢都是同一個意思，上帝已經藉著夢把祂將要做的事指示王了。 26 七頭肥美的母牛和七個飽滿的穗子都代表七年，是同樣的意思。 27 七頭瘦弱、醜陋的母牛和七個乾癟、被東風吹乾的穗子也代表七年，是七年饑荒。 28 正如我剛才說的，上帝已經把祂將要做的事向王顯明了。 29 埃及全境很快會有七年大豐收， 30 隨後是七年饑荒肆虐全國，之前的豐收將被忘記。 31 饑荒將非常嚴重，之前的豐收將蕩然無存。 32 王的夢出現了兩次，表示上帝的心意已定，上帝必很快成就這事。 33 王應該選一個精明的人，派他治理埃及。 34 王也應該在各地委派官員，在七年豐收期內徵收全國出產的五分之一， 35 把在豐年收集的糧食儲存在各城，歸王管理。 36 這些糧食要留到七年饑荒時用，免得這片土地被饑荒毀滅。」
37 法老和他所有的臣僕都贊同約瑟的建議。 38 法老對臣僕說：「我們哪裡找像這樣有上帝的靈同在的人呢？」 39 法老對約瑟說：「上帝既然把夢的意思指示給你，可見沒人有你這樣的見識和智慧。 40 我要派你管理我家，我的人民都要遵從你的命令，只有我權力比你大。」 41 法老又說：「我現在派你治理埃及全國。」 42 於是，法老摘下手上用來蓋印的戒指，戴在約瑟的手上，給他穿上細麻袍，把金鏈戴在他頸上， 43 讓他坐在自己的第二輛御車上，並有人在御車前高呼：「跪下！」這樣，法老派約瑟治理整個埃及。 44 法老對約瑟說：「我是法老，但沒有你的命令，埃及的任何人都不得擅自行事。」 45 法老賜給約瑟一個名字叫撒發那忒·巴內亞，又把安城祭司波提非拉的女兒亞西納賜給他為妻。約瑟巡視了整個埃及。
46 約瑟三十歲開始為法老效勞，他離開法老去巡視埃及各地。 47 七個豐年之內，埃及糧食大豐收， 48 約瑟收集七個豐年出產的所有糧食，儲藏進各城，每一座城附近出產的糧食都存放在本城。 49 約瑟積存了大量五穀，多如海沙，不可勝數。
50 荒年到來前，安城祭司波提非拉的女兒亞西納給約瑟生了兩個兒子。 51 約瑟給長子取名叫瑪拿西，因為他說：「上帝使我忘記一切的困苦和我父親家。」 52 約瑟給次子取名叫以法蓮，因為他說：「上帝使我在受苦之地昌盛。」
53 七個豐年結束後， 54 七個荒年接踵而至，正如約瑟所言。各地都有饑荒，只有埃及全國有糧食。 55 後來，埃及全國也鬧饑荒，百姓就向法老求糧，法老對他們說：「你們去找約瑟吧，要照他的吩咐做。」
56 饑荒蔓延到整個埃及時，約瑟便開倉賣糧給埃及人。那時，埃及的饑荒非常嚴重。 57 各國的人都到埃及來向約瑟買糧，因為天下到處都是大饑荒。
Key Verse: “And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” — Genesis 41:16
Genesis 41 begins with these words: “Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream.”
This verse is connected to the last verse of Genesis 40: “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:23)
Joseph had helped the chief butler interpret his dream in prison. He also asked the chief butler to remember him before Pharaoh and help him get out of prison. But after the chief butler was restored, he forgot Joseph.
And he did not forget Joseph for just a few days or a few months. He forgot him for two full years.
For Joseph, these two years were not easy. He had been betrayed by his brothers and sold into Egypt. He had served faithfully in Potiphar’s house, yet he was falsely accused and put into prison. Even in prison, he helped others, but he was forgotten again.
But Genesis 41 shows us this truth: people may forget, but God does not forget. Human remembrance may be delayed, but God’s timing will never be late.
At the appointed time, God gave Pharaoh a dream. All the magicians and wise men of Egypt could not interpret it. Then the chief butler finally remembered Joseph.
This time, Joseph did not create the opportunity by his own effort. God arranged the moment. Joseph was brought out of prison and stood before Pharaoh.
God was not only rescuing Joseph from prison. God was preparing Joseph to carry a greater blessing and a greater responsibility.
Genesis 41 is not only about Joseph being promoted from prison to become ruler over Egypt. It shows us how God shapes a life in the waiting, so that when the opportunity comes, that person will exalt God and become a vessel of blessing to others.
- In Being Forgotten, Learn to Wait for God
Genesis 40 ends by saying, “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” Then Genesis 41 begins by saying, “At the end of two full years, Pharaoh had a dream.”
When we put these two verses together, we can feel the waiting in Joseph’s life. The chief butler forgot him, but Joseph was still in prison. People did not remember him. His situation did not change. The door still seemed closed.
But God had not forgotten Joseph.
Those two years were not proof that God had left him. They were not proof that God had failed. God was still in control behind the scenes.
If the chief butler had remembered Joseph immediately, Joseph might only have been released from prison. But God allowed Joseph to wait until Pharaoh had a dream, because God was not only giving Joseph freedom. God was bringing Joseph into a place where he would govern Egypt and preserve many lives.
What people see as delay, God may be using as preparation. What people see as being forgotten, God may still be arranging.
Joseph’s two years in prison were not wasted. They were part of God’s work in shaping his life.
Many times, we may also feel forgotten, overlooked, delayed, or stuck. We may feel that nothing is moving and no door is opening. But Genesis 41 reminds us: people may forget us, but God does not forget us.
When the situation has not changed, it does not mean God is not working. When the door has not opened, it does not mean God is not in control.
If God wants to prepare us to carry His blessing, He will often first teach us to wait for Him.
A person who cannot wait for God may try to grab the blessing with his own hands. But a person who is shaped in the waiting will understand that blessing is not something we fight to take. It is something we receive from the hand of God.
- In the Opportunity, Learn to Exalt God
When God’s time came, Joseph was suddenly brought out of prison.
The Bible says, “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:14)
This was a major turning point. Joseph came out of prison and stood before Pharaoh, the highest authority in Egypt.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”
This was a great opportunity for Joseph to show his ability. It was also a chance for him to fight for his own future.
But Joseph answered, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Genesis 41:16)
This answer shows that Joseph’s life had been shaped by God.
He did not quickly say, “Yes, I can do it.”
He did not use this moment to defend himself.
He did not use this opportunity to exalt himself.
Instead, he immediately turned the focus to God.
Joseph did have a gift. He could interpret dreams. Joseph also had wisdom. Later, he gave Pharaoh a clear plan to govern Egypt. But Joseph knew that the true answer and revelation came from God.
He said, “God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Pharaoh was troubled. The magicians and wise men of Egypt had no answer. But Joseph knew that God could speak a word of peace.
Joseph did not say this because his life had always been peaceful and easy. In fact, he had experienced betrayal, injustice, prison, and being forgotten.
But through all these experiences, Joseph came to know God more deeply. He knew that God is not a God of confusion. He knew that God is still in control in the darkness. God still leads in hardship. God still prepares a way when people do not understand.
A person prepared to carry the blessing is not only someone who waits for the opportunity. He is someone who still exalts God when the opportunity comes.
If a life has not been shaped by God, opportunity can easily become a stage for self-promotion. People may rush to prove themselves, grab the benefit, or fight for themselves.
But Joseph shows us a mature life. When he stood before Pharaoh, he remained humble and said, “It is not in me.”
- In the Assignment, Become an Outlet of Blessing
Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams about seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. He also gave Pharaoh a clear plan.
He said, “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:33)
Joseph did not only explain the problem. He helped Pharaoh understand how to respond to what God had revealed.
God gave Pharaoh the dream not only so he would know what was coming, but so he could prepare during the years of plenty and preserve lives during the years of famine.
Here we see that Joseph’s eyes were no longer only on himself.
He was not only thinking about how to leave prison.
He was not only thinking about how to regain his freedom.
He was not only thinking about how to clear his own name.
He stood in a place of service and leadership. He saw the need of Egypt. He saw the danger of the coming famine. He understood that when God gives revelation, people must respond with preparation.
Because of this, Pharaoh and his servants saw something different in Joseph.
Pharaoh said, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38)
Then Pharaoh placed Joseph over all the land of Egypt. Joseph became second only to Pharaoh.
Joseph did not grab the benefit for himself, but God placed the blessing in his hands.
He received authority, new garments, a ring, a gold chain, and a chariot. He also received a family and children. More importantly, he was placed in a position where he could preserve many lives.
Later, Joseph named his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim.
He named the firstborn Manasseh, because he said, “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”
He named the second Ephraim, because he said, “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
(Genesis 41:51–52)
Joseph was not denying his past pain. He was not pretending that he had never been hurt. He truly knew that God had brought healing and restoration into his life.
God made him no longer bound by the pain of the past. God also made him fruitful in the land of his affliction.
In people’s eyes, Egypt was the place where Joseph had been sold. Prison was the place where Joseph had suffered injustice. But in God’s hands, the place of suffering could become the place of fruitfulness. The place of shame could become the place of preparation. The place of darkness could become the place where God shaped his life.
The blessing God gave Joseph was not only for Joseph’s personal success. God made Joseph an outlet of blessing.
When the famine came, not only were the Egyptians preserved, but Jacob’s family in Canaan would also be preserved through Joseph. The blessing on Joseph’s life became provision for many lives.
Conclusion:
Genesis 41 shows us that a life that can carry blessing must first be prepared by God.
Joseph learned to wait for God when he was forgotten.
He learned to exalt God when the opportunity came.
He became an outlet of blessing in the assignment given to him.
This chapter is not only telling us that Joseph finally became successful. It shows us how God used a long season of waiting, human forgetfulness, and prison life to shape Joseph into a person who could carry blessing.
God’s blessing is not only for our enjoyment. God’s blessing also carries responsibility.
If our life has not been shaped, blessing can become pride.
If our heart has not been adjusted by God, opportunity can become a stage for self-exaltation.
But when a person is willing to be shaped by God in the waiting, to exalt God in the opportunity, and to serve others in the assignment, God can place blessing in that person’s hands and make that person a vessel of blessing to others.
Today, let us believe again: people may forget us, but God has not forgotten us. Situations may be delayed, but God’s timing will never be late.
If we are willing to be prepared in God’s hands, He can bring us into the blessing and assignment He has prepared for us at the right time.
Life Reflection:
Have I felt that God has forgotten me because people forgot me or things were delayed?
When opportunity comes, do I still remember to exalt God instead of exalting myself?
Am I willing to let God use my life, so that I will not only receive blessing, but also become an outlet of blessing to others?
Prayer Response:
Lord, help me to trust You in the waiting.
When people forget me, remind me that You have never forgotten me.
Shape my life, so that when opportunity comes, I will not exalt myself, but exalt You.
Prepare me to carry Your blessing and become a vessel of blessing to others.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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