Genesis 41:1-57

Genesis Study 123

PHARAOH'S DREAMS

Genesis 41:1-57
Key verse 41:32
"The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon."

Last week we studied that Joseph interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The things turned out exactly as he had interpreted. The cupbearer was restored to his position and the baker was hanged. Since then two full years had passed. Today's passage is one of the most dramatic events in the Bible: In one day a slave prisoner became the Prime Minister of ancient Egypt. May God grant us his messages into our hearts.

Look at verses 1 to 7. In his dream Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was standing by the Nile. In those days Pharaoh was considered as the god of gods and the Nile the mother of all gods. So the scene of Pharaoh standing by the Nile was the sign of great prosperity. In his dream the king saw seven cows, sleek and fat, coming out of the river, and they grazed among the reeds. It was so pleasing to see them. After them, seven other cows, very ugly and skinny, came up out of the Nile and ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. But even after they ate them, they looked just as ugly as before. Then Pharaoh woke up in a cold sweat.
He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up again and could not sleep anymore.

Look at verses 8 to 16. In the morning Pharaoh's mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. These were the people who developed technologies that built pyramids and made mummies. Such technologies are amazing in our time. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. If he tells his dreams to our modern scientists and psychologists, will they be able to interpret the dreams for him? Here is the limitation of worldly knowledge. The dream given by God can be interpreted only by God.
Then the chief cupbearer recommended Joseph to Pharaoh. So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." This was Joseph's only chance. So he could have told Pharaoh, "Your Majesty. I have two years experience in the field of dream interpretation. My accuracy rate is 100%. Please tell me your dreams I will interpret them." But he said, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Hearing such reply Pharaoh could have been angry with Joseph, "God? What God? Am I not the God of gods?" But Joseph was not afraid of Pharaoh. He believed even Pharaoh must know the only true God and obey him.

Look at verses 17 to 24. God moved Pharaoh's heart to be humble before the God of Joseph. So he narrated his dreams to Joseph. Who was Pharaoh? He was the king of Egypt, the most powerful nation in ancient world. Who was Joseph? He was nothing but a slave prisoner. But now the most powerful person was relying on the most powerless person. It was because the Lord was with Joseph. In speaking Egyptian language Joseph was not as fluent as the native Egyptians. In scientific knowledge he was far inferior to Egyptian scientists. But he knew how to rely on God for every matter. While others were busy in building up their worldly knowledge, Joseph devoted himself in learning the true God. He grew to be a man of prayer and man of faith. Then at the most crucial time he could help even the most powerful one in the world.

Look at verses 25 to 32. Here Joseph gives his interpretation. He said to Pharaoh, "God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain are seven years of abundance. The seven lean, ugly cows and the seven worthless heads of grain are seven years of famine. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then the abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon." In his interpretation Joseph repeatedly testified about God, "God has revealed…God has shown…firmly decided by God…God will do it soon." This was the secret why God used Joseph. God is happy to use a man whose only concern is to reveal God.
Why did God firmly decide to bring such great abundance and terrible famine to Egypt? God's purpose was not to destroy the nation. If so, he would not have revealed his plan to Pharaoh in dreams. God saw how the Egyptians were worshiping Pharaoh, the Nile and many other gods. He saw how much they were proud of their wealth and achievement. They all should perish and be thrown into hell. But in his mercy God made a fourteen years plan to teach them that the God of Joseph is the only true God. When Joseph's interpretation came true people would know that the God of Joseph rules the world. God wanted to turn their hearts to him so that they might be saved from his eternal judgment. Do we see any abundance or famine in our personal lives? It is to teach us that God rules our lives. When we see any abundance, let us turn to God in praise. When we see any famine, let us turn to God in prayer. God will show us a way to life.

Look at verses 33 to 36. Joseph advised Pharaoh, "Now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine." As for Joseph, Egypt was the land of suffering and Egyptians were cruel slave masters. But he loved them. He cared for them. He never wanted anyone to perish by the famine. He had God's heart.
If the Egyptians in Joseph's time should prepare themselves for the seven years of famine, what should we prepare for? We should prepare for the eternal judgment of God. Some people enjoy seventy years of wealth while living on earth. Some enjoy seventy years of human recognition and some seventy years of power. But one day everyone should die and face God's judgment that will last forever. Just one second in hell will make us forget all the pleasures and glories of our present lives. Whether Pharaoh had believed Joseph's interpretation or not, the seven years of famine would surely follow the seven years of abundance. In the same way whether we believe it or not, eternal judgment of God will surely come after our earthly lives. God granted seven years of abundance to the Egyptians so that they might store up enough grain to survive through the seven years of famine. Now why did God give us seventy years of life? It is to store up his truth in our hearts before his judgment begins. But even after hearing Joseph's interpretation if the Egyptians squandered away their grains and time, what would happen to them? They would surely perish by the famine. Listening to Sunday message is as important as listening to Joseph's interpretation. But until and unless we store up God's truth in our hearts it is of no use. In order to store up grains the Egyptians should work hard and bring a fifth of harvest to their storerooms. In the same way in order to store up God's truth we need to personally meditate on his word and obey it. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." May God have mercy on us to spend our time and energy to store up his truth in our hearts.

Look at verses 37 to 44. Joseph's plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt." By appointing Joseph as the Prime Minister of Egypt, Pharaoh humbly entrusted himself and his kingdom into the hands of God. He did not trust in the Nile anymore. Since then he could enjoy sweet sleep every night. Many people hear the message of God. But very few people let God rule over their lives. Instead even after hearing the message of God, they let their pride and ego rule over themselves. So there is no change in their lives. They remain same all the time or even become worse day by day. Pharaoh could have despised Joseph. But he made Joseph his own shepherd and the shepherd of his nation. So God saved and blessed him and his nation. By humbly listening to our shepherds' spiritual advice we can be under God's ruling and care.

Look at verses 45 to 57. Joseph could have enjoyed his wealth and power. Or he could have revenged himself on his brothers and Mrs. Potiphar. But he forgave all people. He accepted others as his own sheep and worked hard to save their lives from the coming famine. He accepted his Prime Minister post as God-given mission. God blessed him with two sons and Joseph praised God for his blessings.
After the seven years of abundance, the seven years of famine began. But there was enough food in Egypt for all nations. It was because there in Egypt was one God-fearing man Joseph. Just one man of faith was more than enough to save all nations in his time. May God bless us to store up his truth in our hearts everyday so that we may save this generation. May God grow us to be like Joseph in our time.