From Prison to Palace  “So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.’” -Genesis 41:16
Two long years had passed since Pharaoh’s butler had been released from prison – a prison where by a divine appointment this butler had been helped and blessed by Joseph. All Joseph asked in return was to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf (ch. 40). But this butler of Pharaoh forgot all about Joseph. It would not be until Pharaoh had this strange dream that the butler would remember how Joseph had graciously sought God for an interpretation of the prophetic dream the butler had been given. God could have begun these events to deliver Joseph out of the prison the day the butler left the prison. But God waited. Two more years of testing and trial to further shape Joseph’s character. This process will in some way be duplicated in all of our lives. We will be brought into events that test us and force us to seek God in a way that transforms the people we are. The purpose is to prepare us for the unique life God has ordained we are to live for Him. For Joseph it was to become second only to the Pharaoh in power over Egypt. From the pit he was thrown into by his brothers to this moment in prison God was making him a man of God. A man who would not be corrupted by the power and prestige he would be given. This custom craftsmanship of our lives by God will be as unique as the lives we are called to live. These trials and tests are stepping stones to our God-given destiny. It is our place to submit to them rather than rebel against this crucible of affliction or be overcome by bitterness and hopelessness. Patience under the transforming work in the furnace of affliction will in the end produce the fine gold God is making our lives to be. |
Genesis 41:1-16  Pharaoh's Dreams
1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. 2 Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. 4 And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 7 And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. 8 Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. 9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, 11 we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12 Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.” 14 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. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” 16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” |
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream (Verses 1-45) v. 1 Two Full Years – Joseph was again faced with the realization that he could not place any confidence in man. He had hoped that the kindness he showed to the butler would be returned (Gen. 40:12-15,23) but it had not been, even after two long years in prison. Had a Dream – In this we see God’s sovereignty. It is God who ultimately set things in motion for Joseph’s release. v. 2 Out of the River – The Nile river was believed by Egyptians to be the source of fertility. Cows would often be seen nearly submerged in the Nile as a way to be relieved of the heat and flies as they ate the reed grass or papyrus beds along the river. Cows – They were a symbol of the goddess Isis, who was believed to be the sustainer of the earth. In hieroglyphics she represented the earth, agriculture, and food. | v. 6 East Wind – This was a term referring to the wind from the Arabian desert that could be devastating to crops. v. 8 Magicians of Egypt – This is an Egyptian word, “hartummin,” and refers to those skilled in the occult, sorcery, and incantations. Wise Men – “Chakham” (Heb.) Refers to those who were considered to be intelligent, prudent, and philosophic. v. 14 He Shaved – This would have been in line with the required acceptable appearance for Egyptians. Hebrew men did not generally shave. v. 16 God Will Give – As Joseph had done with the two servants of Pharaoh (Gen. 40:8), so he does here. He points him beyond himself to God. |
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