Old Testament - Genesis 40 & 41-March 11, 2022

 Genesis 41

Joseph remained imprisoned for another two years, and then the Pharaoh dreamed two odd dreams which he vividly remembered, and was very troubled by them. None of the magicians of Egypt nor any of the wise men could come up with an interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. 

That’s when the chief butler finally remembered the time when Joseph translated his dream. He told his story to the Pharoah who immediately called for Joseph to be brought to him. (v 14) They pulled him out of the dungeon and allowed him to shave himself and put on clean clothes, and then they brought him into the Pharaoh. 

V 15: “…Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.” Joseph’s humble and very true answer: “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (v16) Joseph listened to Pharaoh’s description of his dreams, and then answered: “The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (v 25) Joseph then went on to tell him the Lord would give them seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine, “and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land” (v 30)

Not only did Joseph interpret his dream, and tell him that it was from God, but he went on to advise Pharaoh: “Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifith part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.”(v34-35)

The Pharaoh’s response was very reasonable: “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (v 38) “Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou….And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.” (40 & 42)

Pharaoh changed Joseph’s name to Zaphnath-paaneah, and give him a wife. Joseph was now 30 years old. Joseph worked hard and well. He and his wife had two sons: Manasseh (“for God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house”) and Ephraim (“forGod hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”).

The famine did come after seven years of plenty, and the Egyptians ate from the storehouses Joseph had made, and “all the countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because the famine was so sore in all lands.”

If we decide we want to be as Joseph was, then we can be sure that if we follow the counsel of the prophets and inspired leaders, then we will be better prepared to face difficulties. Psalm 119:105: “They word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”