68. Pharaoh’s dreams: the Lord is Sovereign (Gen 41:1-32)

Another set of two dreams! God’s interpretation came through Joseph. The Sovereign ruler over Egypt is not Pharaoh as people might think in chapter 40, but God. 

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read Gen 41:1-32

How long had the cupbearer forgotten Joseph?

[              ] was able to interpret dreams (8). When Joseph was brought to Pharaoh in his new (             ) (14), he said, ‘(             ) will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh’ (16).

The dreams foretold of (     ) years of good harvest and (      ) years of (                ).

Why did God show the dreams to Pharaoh? (28)

 

Answers and Meditation

Two

Joseph might have given up. Then, God’s time arrived. 

It was God's plan that Joseph had two more years in prison because it was not a coincidence that he had given Pharaoh a dream. If he had been released right after the officer's release, Joseph wouldn't have had a chance to become the prime minister of Egypt. Then, he would not be able to be reconciled with his brothers and bring his family down to Egypt.

 

No one, clothes, God

In Joseph’s story, clothes imply his status. He wore a special tunic that represented a loved son of his father. He was stripped of that tunic by his brothers. And then, he wore a slave garment in Potiphar’s house. As he ran away from Potiphar’s wife and left his garment behind, he became a prisoner. He was given new clothes as he came out of the dungeon, the long tunnel of darkness. And then, he will wear the fine linen clothes of the prime minister.

Joseph was able to interpret dreams. This shows God’s wisdom and sovereignty. God worked through Joseph His people and showed troubling Pharaoh the way of Shalom.

 

Seven, seven, famine

The ancient Egyptians thought of Pharaoh as a human presentation of a god who ruled the land of Egypt. But, this passage shows that it is God who blesses the harvest or brings famine to their land, not Pharaoh, who couldn’t interpret God’s plan.

Why God brings seven years of famine is not known. God decided it by His good purpose, His promise to Abraham. 

 

God wants to reveal what He is about to do

This is what distinguishes our God from foreign gods. He foretells about the future and accomplishes it so we can trust Him.

God wants to show through his people that God is the only sovereign in the world. Through his people who recognize God's sovereignty.

This Pharaoh was smart and humble. He listened to the word of God that had come through Joseph. And all Egyptians were saved from famine. But the Pharaoh of Moses’ days was stubborn and refused to listen to the word of God. Thus, destruction came to Egypt and its king.

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