Genesis 41:1-57
Joseph had gone from the pit to Potipher's house to prison. He was twenty-eight years old, when two prisoners shared their dreams with him. The first man had been the butler of the king of Egypt. His dream is recorded in Genesis 40:9-13. Joseph interpreted his dream favorably, informing the butler that he would be restored to the king's service. The other man had been the chief baker of the king. His dream is found in Genesis 40:16-18. He was told by Joseph that he was going to be hanged. Both interpretations came true.
Two years later Pharoah had two dreams. In the first dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come out of the river followed by seven ugly, gaunt cows, which ate up the healthy ones. Seven plump heads of grain were devoured by seven thin heads in the second dream. Pharoah was troubled by the dreams, so he called for all the magicians and wise men in the land to come to him, and interpret his dreams. "But there was no one who could interpret them for Pharoah." Genesis 41:8.
The butler remembered Joseph. He told the king how the young Hebrew man had interpreted his dream and the dream of the chief baker. Pharoah had Joseph brought to him, and said, "I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." Joseph responded, "It is not in me; God will give Pharoah an answer of peace." Genesis 41:16. Two years earlier he had said to the butler and baker, "Do not interpretations belong to God?" Genesis 40:8. Joseph understood his place.
The king told Joseph his dreams. Joseph answered, "The dreams of Pharoah are one; God has shown Pharoah what He is about to do." Genesis 41:25. He went on to interpret the dreams. Seven years of bountiful harvest was to be followed by seven years of famine. He said, "Let Pharoah do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce...in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years..., and store up grain...." Genesis 41:34, 35.
Pharoah promoted Joseph from the prison to the palace, saying, "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." Joseph also received a new name from the king---Zaphnath-Paaneah, which means God Speaks and He Lives. After all, Pharoah recognized Joseph as a man who was indwelt by the Spirit of God.
King David wrote Psalm 27:13, 14 as an expression of his faith: "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Joseph would share the same message with us today.
Lord, speak and live through us. May others see Your Spirit fulfilling Your purposes in our lives. Thank You for Your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name. Amen!
