14Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when Joseph shaved himself and changed his clothes [making himself presentable], he came to Pharaoh. 15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you that you can understand a dream and interpret it.” 16Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me [to interpret the dream]; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a favorable answer [through me].” 17So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile; 18and seven fat, sleek and handsome cows came up out of the river, and they grazed in the reed grass [of a marshy pasture]. 19Lo, seven other cows came up after them, very ugly and gaunt [just skin and bones]; such emaciated animals as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20And the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows. 21Yet when they had devoured them, it could not be detected that they had eaten them, because they were still as thin and emaciated as before. Then I awoke [but again I fell asleep and dreamed]. 22I saw in my [second] dream, seven ears [of grain], plump and good, growing on a single stalk; 23and lo, seven [other] ears, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted after them; 24and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears. Now I told this to the magicians and soothsayers, but there was no one who could explain it [to me].” 25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The [two] dreams are one [and the same and have one interpretation]; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41:14-25 AMP
We have been taking a look at the story of Joseph from a different angle/perspectives in the first 3 parts where we have focused on what God was saying/revealing to Joseph at various stages in his life through dreams/visions. We saw that Joseph was 17 when we were introduced to him and God first gave him a glimpse of the calling/assignment that he had over his life. From this point forward a series of events were initiated that would facilitate Joseph’s journey to saving his family, and the early stages of God defeating the “gods of Egypt” in the future. Let’s quickly recap the 1st 3 parts of Joseph’s journey that we have discussed to get where we are in the verses above
- Joseph dreams that his brothers sheaves of wheat bow to his
- Joseph dreams that the sun (Israel/Jacob), moon (Rachel or Leah), and 11 stars (his brothers) bow to his star
- Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief baker and cupbearer
What is surprising is that the 3 events in Joseph’s life that we looked at were all necessary in the preparation of Joseph to to fulfill God’s plan through him. Joseph had to go from a 17 year old sheltered AND spoiled teenager, to a focused, and clear man of God who could carry out his plan without faltering. God had to take Joseph through some situations to teach him about God’s faithfulness and commitment to see his plan through regardless of the circumstances. The dreams that Joseph had as a youth, the injustices he experienced, and the favors he performed in prison for the chief baker and cupbearer all culminated and led to this moment before Pharaoh. Can God depend on you to complete his assignment/calling for your life when the moment comes? Joseph could have attempted to use this moment to argue his case about how he had been wronged by his family, Potiphar, and the Pharaoh’s assistants who had been imprisoned by him, instead he chose to carry out his God-given assignment to fore-tell Pharaoh what lie ahead for Egypt, and the plan that God had to save his people Israel. Joseph could have never known that the dreams he had as a 17 year old would come true 13 years later as the “Second” in command of Egypt. What’s unique about the story of Joseph is that his original dreams only had his family bowing to him, not anyone else. When you understand the hierarchy and customs of Egypt and the way that they viewed shepherds which the family of Israel were at the time, then you’d know that they didn’t value or respect Joseph and his people. Can you handle God elevating you to a position of influence/authority, and the people you are called to save/lead don’t even respect you, though they serve you? When Pharaoh told his dream to Joseph, he did so with the expectation that his dream would be interpreted because of what had been told to him about Joseph; where Joseph understood correctly, that many of us would do well to remember and understand is that we are not the gift, rather it is the gift of God that is at work in us and is revealed through us.
15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you that you can understand a dream and interpret it.” 16Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me [to interpret the dream]; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a favorable answer [through me].”
Genesis 41:15-16 AMP
God had taken Joseph through enough and revealed to him that he was merely a vessel through which God’s gift and power was manifested. The 17 year Joseph interpreted his family bowing to him, the 30 year Joseph understood that his family AND the people of Israel would bow before the power of God when he brought about the 7 year famine. I believe it took Joseph these 13 years to truly and fully realize the power of God, and how he fit into God’s plan. When Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he did so as a representative for God to man, not as a representative of self. There is NO place for self or bias and opinion when it comes to doing the work of God. That is an area where I also have much work to do, but like Joseph we all must arrive at a place where we solely speak for God, and omit self interests…..even when/if the opportunity presents itself. What God had planned for Joseph was greater than anything that he could have ever imagined for himself, he was able to save his family, be reconciled and restored to his family, and above all demonstrate and communicate the power/love of God before a nation of unbelievers. The story of Joseph is important because it shows that God is still working on our behalf during the silent seasons, and losing seasons when it seems like he has abandoned us. Who knew that God allowed Joseph’s brothers hate to consume them to the point that they would sell him into slavery, allow Potiphar to believe the lie of his wife to throw him into prison, and even allow the chief cupbearer to regain his position without advocating for Joseph’s release, just so that Joseph would gain this opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream at this vital moment.
As we see in the story of Joseph which is different from Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), this is the 1st instance where don’t see/hear God speak verbally. Instead God uses dreams/imagery solely to convey his message and plan to Joseph without a destination, or pre-determined route to get there. Can you remain faithful and strong during the silent and difficult journey when God has already shown you the glory of the end?
Reflection Time
What has God shown you at any point in your life? Has it manifested? If it hasn’t, do you still believe that God will do it for you? Given the opportunity to do God’s work, would you be obedient, or would you use it for self-promotion, or glory? What has God shown you, and what have you learned during your journey with God? Has your scars along the way caused you to doubt God’s original promise, or are they reminders that is capable of saving your and fulfilling his promise?
