Verse 1
2 years passes after Joseph gives interpretation to the baker and butler. What must Joseph had thought. After it looked like God was making a way for him to get out of prison – the days were followed by weeks which were followed by months and years – and nothing. You’d think God had given up on you. But for God – a thousand years is like a day. In that timescale it’d been less than 5 minutes since Joseph interpreted the dreams.
Lesson? Don’t judge God’s intentions by our impatience.
Verses 2 – 7
We don’t really know which Pharaoh we’re talking about here – and the first name isn’t mentioned.
Dreams that come in twos in the Bible are often used as a way to indicate that the matter was certain – it was going to happen. In verse 32 – Joseph as much as says this.
Verse 8
Pharaoh knew this dream wasn’t just an ordinary one – but significant. The Pharaohs considered themselves divine – so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to have his dreams interpreted.
The magicians and wise men are the same kind that try to mimic the plagues found in Egypt. They were either professional dream interpreters or sorcerers who interpreted dreams along with other duties. This is very similar to what we see in Daniel. They couldn’t interpret it – we don’t know if they threw up their hands or somehow God kept them from forming an opinion because he wanted to jostle the memory of the chief cupbearer.
Verses 9 – 14
So you’re Joseph. You feel abandoned – maybe a little sorry for yourself – rotting in prison. And one day these guys come rushing in – “get up, you’re going to meet Pharaoh!” And they hand him some clothes and a razor and point him to the showers.
What do you suppose he was thinking – either this is good or very very bad.
It reminds me of what Jesus said:
Luke 12:11-12 "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
“in season or out of season” means “when its convenient and when its not.” God doesn’t often give us a “heads up” that we need to testify of Him.
Go with God’s flow!
Verses 15 – 16
Like Daniel – Joseph tells the king that he cannot interpret dreams – but God can.
“the answer he desires” doesn’t mean it’s the answer Pharaoh wants but like saying “Pharaoh wants an answer and an answer he is going to get.”
Verses 17 – 24
A retelling of the dreams for Joseph’s benefit.
Verses 25 – 32
This would have seemed strange to Pharaoh. Joseph does not name Yahweh as the source of the interpretation – but generic “God.” In Pharaoh’s world view it would have to be a powerful god to hold back the river flood – which was very dependable. Egypt didn’t often suffer from famine. But normally a god would have had to be offended in some way to bring about some negative circumstance.
No offense is given – and even stranger, the famine is proceeded by 7 years of plenty. So Pharaoh has got to be shaking his head.
Okay – so we’ve seen Joseph be ready to jump in there in an unusual situation and allow God to speak through him. But this next part was Joseph’s native and God-given abilities coming out – a lesson for us as well.
Verses 33 – 36
This was, of course, God’s plan all along – it was why He had Joseph go to Egypt – in order to protect this infant nation during a terrible famine – then also rescue them later from Egypt to show them His power and introduce Himself formally to them – all this to protect the line of the Messiah, the ultimate rescuer.
But notice that Joseph understands the political and social implications of the dream and instantly has a solution to propose to Pharaoh. I think this was Joseph – his innate administrative abilities – introduced in chapter 37 – honed by his experiences as a slave and as a prisoner – coming out in full force.
It’s really quite a brilliant strategy. He could have suggested that the people be forced to save crops themselves – but by creating a central administration and control he secures the kingdom for Pharaoh politically – plus equally provides for the sustaining of the people by a central storage then reselling of the crops to the people.
He comes up with the idea then without saying it – proposes himself for the position. Now that’s chutzpah! Joseph not only gives a concrete proposal but tells him to look someone that has insight and sound judgment to carry it out. It is so convincing that Pharaoh gives the okay on the spot and hires Joseph for the task!
Verses 37 – 45
This is the same sort of position that he had with Potiphar and in jail.
Pharaoh recognized the divine nature of the insight into the dreams – and somehow it resonated with him that this was true. So trust was established, which carried Joseph also into a place of prominence.
The ring was used by the prime minister to give his edicts royal authority. The gold chain was a mark of distinction. Then Pharaoh makes a procession through town to proclaim Joseph as the new administrator.
Notice that Pharaoh does this knowing that Joseph is a Hebrew. Like Daniel – when you are excellent at what you do, those in charge, though non-believers, can put you in places of leadership.
He have Joseph an Egyptian name which could mean: sustainer of life – called to this purpose by God.
Verses 46 – 49
Zaphnath Paaneah probably means “revealer of secrets.”
Joseph had been a slave for 13 years in Egypt – and spent three years in prison.
Joseph created granaries in each city and stored so much grain that they simply stopped counting it.
Verses 50 – 52
Manasseh means “causing to forget.” Ephraim means: “double fruitfulness.”
Verses 53 – 57
You gotta wonder if Joseph was getting nervous as the end of the sixth year approached – “what is I was wrong and the famine doesn’t happen?”
But it comes about exactly how Joseph predicted. And we’ll see next time just how bad the famine gets and how Joseph deals with it.
Conclusions
1. Use the AAA approach:
Able – study the Word, have an active relationship with God, pursue your interests and gain skills in areas that interest you.
Available – when God calls, don’t shy away from witnessing or working for Him
Actively Seeking – When an opportunity presents itself, seek ways to allow your interests and talents to be used. When Joseph actively sought to lead back at home – he practically got himself killed – but that didn’t stop him.
2. Don’t let lack of action suggest lack of support from God
Sometimes we just need to carry on until we are told otherwise.
Hebrews 10:32-37 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
3. Its okay to be good at something
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
“From the soul” is the Greek “with all your heart.” Put yourself into it – as long as what you do brings glory to God, it’s okay to be good!
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
