Genesis 41:1 – 13 “After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river. And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows.
Then Pharaoh woke up, but he fell back asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, came up on one stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted, thin and scorched by the east wind. And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, ripe ones. Then Pharaoh awoke and realized it was a dream.
In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I recall my failures. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard. One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us individually. And it happened to us just as he had interpreted: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”
Better late than never! Two years after the chief cup bearer has gotten his job back, Pharaoh has profoundly troubling dreams. When none of the court magicians can come up with an interpretation, the cup bearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh how accurately Joseph interpreted his dream and that of the chief baker. Quickly, Pharaoh sends for Joseph, who comes and interprets the dreams.
v. 25 – 36 “At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine.
It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten and the famine will devastate the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe. Moreover, because the dream was given to Pharaoh in two versions, the matter has been decreed by God, and He will carry it out shortly.
Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. Under the authority of Pharaoh, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities. This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”
God has prepared Joseph for this hour! Joseph’s years of imprisonment have helped humble him and eliminate any sign of presumption. At the same time, Joseph has occupied several managerial positions, first in Potiphar’s house and then in the prison. Joseph glorifies God before giving any interpretation. After the interpretation, Joseph gives the best advice to Pharaoh that he can. Notice that Joseph does NOT waste any time blaming the chief cup bearer for not mentioning him sooner. Joseph has truly forgiven the chief cup bearer. This act of forgiveness on Joseph’s part means that Joseph is not dragging any unforgiveness around.
APPLICATION: Sometimes people surprise you! Joseph probably viewed the chief cup bearer as a lost cause and forgave him on that basis. But at the right time, God reminded this man and he recommended Joseph to Pharaoh. Delays are not denials. Forgive people and continue to be faithful. Your forgiveness frees you up for whatever God wants to do in your life.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for forgiving us. Help us to forgive others and to bless them as we do so. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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