Genesis
chapter 41 is a story of redemption. The chapter begins, “When
two full years had passed…“.
Joseph had helped the cupbearer, but still languished in prison for
two more years. How many of us would have given up on God by then?
We tend to question God the first instant we are “forsaken”.
We need to remember maturity and character take time to develop and
God looks at time from eternity’s perspective. We learn that Pharaoh
has a dream and his magicians and wise men cannot interpret it for
him. Finally the cupbearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh about
his abilities; “So
Pharaoh sent for Joseph“.
After a quick shave and change of clothes Joseph is brought before
Pharaoh. The inward change in Joseph’s character happens first, then
the outward changes are seen. Pharaoh, says, “I
heard when you hear a dream you can interpret it“.
Joseph replies, “I
cannot do it…but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires“.
2 Corinthians 3:5, reminds us, “Our
adequacy is from God“.
Pharaoh
tells Joseph his dream in which seven cows come up out of the Nile
fat and happy, then seven skinny, ugly cows come up and eat the first
ones, yet they still look skinny. Then Pharaoh tells him about his
second dream in which seven full and healthy heads of grain are eaten
by seven scorched heads of grain. Joseph tells Pharaoh, “The
dreams are one and the same… God has revealed what He is about to
do“.
Joseph explains, :”Seven
years of great abundance are coming… but then seven years of famine
will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be
forgotten“.
But Joseph boldly continues and offers a solution and a plan to
implement it! “Look
for a discerning and wise man…take a fifth of the harvest during
the… good years and store up the grain under the authority of
Pharaoh… so the country may not be ruined during the famine“.
Pharaoh then asks, “Can
we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?“.
He continues, “You
shall be in charge of my palace, and all the people are to submit to
your orders“.
He gives Joseph his signet ring and royal robes and makes him his
second in command. He gives Joseph a new name, “God
speaks and He lives”
and a new wife; “Joseph
was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh“.
We are also told that Joseph has two sons, the first is named
Manasseh which means “God
has made me forget my troubles“,
and Ephraim meaning “fruitful“.
Joseph does exactly what he promised and when the famine hit,
“Joseph
opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians… and all the
countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine
was severe in all the world“.
What
an amazing picture of Christ we see in Joseph. He was loved by his
father and rejected by his brothers. He endures undeserved
punishment and is sold for pieces of silver. He was made a servant,
tempted by sin and made no defense when unjustly convicted. He is
recognized as having the Spirit of God and finally becomes the only
source for the bread of life. Notice the names of his children also
speak to us, after we forget about our troubles, we can become
fruitful. If you are spiritually in a famine, listen to the words of
Jesus in John 10:10, “I
have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly“.
May you know the joy of God’s overflowing grace.