PHARAOH HAS TWO DREAMS
41 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. 2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. 8 And 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 the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
vs 1 Joseph has been in prison for two years since the chief butlers release. Joseph is now 30 years old. How often do we not attribute God the credit for the miracle. Now Pharaoh dreams two dreams. This is the final pair of dreams that God will give in the story of Joseph. The second dream is given as an explanation point that this will come to be.
vs 2 The cows are well fed and grass is abundant.
vs 3 These cows are starved and are next to the fat cows. A very stark contrast.
vs 4 In a violent act of cannibalism the seven starved cows eat the seven fat cow. This part of the dream was so scary, Pharaoh awoke from his dream.
vs 5-7 Pharaoh went back to sleep only to have another dream. This time it was corn that came up and mirrored the first dream.
vs 8 These dreams were not regular dreams. These seemed very real, and troubled Pharaoh so much he consulted all the experts of the day.
vs 2 The cows are well fed and grass is abundant.
vs 3 These cows are starved and are next to the fat cows. A very stark contrast.
vs 4 In a violent act of cannibalism the seven starved cows eat the seven fat cow. This part of the dream was so scary, Pharaoh awoke from his dream.
vs 5-7 Pharaoh went back to sleep only to have another dream. This time it was corn that came up and mirrored the first dream.
vs 8 These dreams were not regular dreams. These seemed very real, and troubled Pharaoh so much he consulted all the experts of the day.
THE CHIEF BUTLER KNOWS A GUY
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker: 11 and we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. 13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
vs 9 God uses the most unlikely people to fulfill His will. The chief butler has the words to not only deliver Joseph from prison, but to save all the people of the region and Egypt. This will allow the Egyptian government to buy all the land for the price of the food which Joseph will store up.
vs 10-11 The chief butler remembers a time, two years ago when he and the baker had dreams.
vs 12-13 How often do unbeliever's attribute a miracle of God to the man that God used. This diminishes the source to a man. Had the chief butler truly understood the source of the interpretation, Joseph may have been free for two years. Instead the chief butler did not remember Joseph until now. I believe that the chief thinks of Joseph the way he thinks of the wise men and magicians of Egypt.
vs 10-11 The chief butler remembers a time, two years ago when he and the baker had dreams.
vs 12-13 How often do unbeliever's attribute a miracle of God to the man that God used. This diminishes the source to a man. Had the chief butler truly understood the source of the interpretation, Joseph may have been free for two years. Instead the chief butler did not remember Joseph until now. I believe that the chief thinks of Joseph the way he thinks of the wise men and magicians of Egypt.
GOD INTERPRETS, JOSEPH EXPLAINS
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 15 And 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. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: 18 and, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: 19 and, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: 20 and the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: 21 and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: 23 and, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: 24 and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
vs 14 Hebrews in general did not shave or bathe like the Egyptians. This is one of the main reasons his brothers will not recognize Joseph. When presented to Pharaoh Joseph will be clean shaven and have a new suit. Joseph may be seen as an immigrant, but he must have cleaned up well. The ruler of the greatest nation on Earth, the one that had built the pyramids, and has the most advanced civilization will now be asking the representative of a foreign God for counsel. All the wisdom of Egypt was confounded. Clothing plays an important symbolic role in this story. It is an outward sign of status. From the giving of the coat of many colors to the taking away. Now from prison raiment to clothing suitable to come before, Pharaoh. When elevated to prime minister he will again receive clothing suitable for his status.
vs 15 Pharaoh doesn't realize it yet, but he is acknowledging that he needs God. All attempts to figure this out from a human perspective have failed. On my own I cannot do this, but with God all things are possible.
vs 16 Joseph is unlike his father in the sense that God is his God. Joseph does not wrestle with God, but walks with Him. He does not blame God for his circumstances, rather he accepts them and when God opens the door he gives Him the credit. One of the most important things we will ever do is to recognize and glorify God. Joseph uses Elohim instead of Yahweh. Yahweh is the covenant name of God and emphasizes his accessibility, Yahweh emphasizes His sovereignty over creation.
vs 17 -24 Pharaoh tells Joseph of his dreams.
vs 15 Pharaoh doesn't realize it yet, but he is acknowledging that he needs God. All attempts to figure this out from a human perspective have failed. On my own I cannot do this, but with God all things are possible.
vs 16 Joseph is unlike his father in the sense that God is his God. Joseph does not wrestle with God, but walks with Him. He does not blame God for his circumstances, rather he accepts them and when God opens the door he gives Him the credit. One of the most important things we will ever do is to recognize and glorify God. Joseph uses Elohim instead of Yahweh. Yahweh is the covenant name of God and emphasizes his accessibility, Yahweh emphasizes His sovereignty over creation.
vs 17 -24 Pharaoh tells Joseph of his dreams.
THE INTERPRETATION
25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. 27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 31 and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 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. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
vs 25-27 Joseph in plain words gives Pharaoh the interpretation.
vs 28 God showed Pharaoh what he is about to do. Joseph is God's representative at this time and place.
vs 29-32 Joseph explains to Pharaoh what is to come and not only has God revealed the future He has a representative that has a plan to get through all that is to come. This is an understated miracle that God does, and is critical to all the events that will lead up to Moses and the exodus.
vs 33 The action that will deliver Egypt through the famine will require a special kind of person. Government is the only authority that complete certain jobs, however government officials can easily become corrupt. Whoever is to oversee this program must not be corruptible.
vs 34 He must also have strong HR skills. He will appoint those overseeing this massive agricultural and infrastructure project.
vs 35 Store the excess food and the government will provide storehouses and protection for the resources until they are needed. Centralize the distribution centers in the cities. This will ease the transportation needed for collection and distribution.
vs 36 Conclusion and outcome of action plan.
vs 28 God showed Pharaoh what he is about to do. Joseph is God's representative at this time and place.
vs 29-32 Joseph explains to Pharaoh what is to come and not only has God revealed the future He has a representative that has a plan to get through all that is to come. This is an understated miracle that God does, and is critical to all the events that will lead up to Moses and the exodus.
vs 33 The action that will deliver Egypt through the famine will require a special kind of person. Government is the only authority that complete certain jobs, however government officials can easily become corrupt. Whoever is to oversee this program must not be corruptible.
vs 34 He must also have strong HR skills. He will appoint those overseeing this massive agricultural and infrastructure project.
vs 35 Store the excess food and the government will provide storehouses and protection for the resources until they are needed. Centralize the distribution centers in the cities. This will ease the transportation needed for collection and distribution.
vs 36 Conclusion and outcome of action plan.
PHARAOH MAKES JOSEPH SECOND ONLY TO HIMSELF
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 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. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 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; 43 and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
vs 37 Joseph gets the job.
JOSEPH IMPLEMENTS GODS PLAN
46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
JOSEPH'S CHILDREN
50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
FAMINE COMES
53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. 56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. 57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.