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Key Verse: “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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.” Selected Scripture: |
PHARAOH HAD TWO dreams, which, in the morning, troubled his spirit. He called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, and Pharaoh told them of his dreams. Nevertheless, he became much more greatly distressed because no one could interpret them for him. The ruler finally summoned Joseph to come before him, having heard that he was an interpreter of dreams.
Joseph quickly denied any special ability of his own but, as on former occasions, he gave all the credit to the Lord. He said, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Gen. 41:16) Pharaoh related his dreams, after which Joseph explained that they foreshadowed a period of fourteen years—seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of famine over the land of Egypt.
Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams for him but added some excellent, timely advice. He offered his wise counsel suggesting the appointment of a food administrator who would see to it that during the seven years of plenty, surpluses would be preserved to feed the nation throughout the seven years of famine. The ruler was impressed with Joseph’s advice. “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.”—vss. 39-41
Pharaoh dressed Joseph in royal robes and put a gold chain about his neck. He then took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph’s hand. Pharaoh made him to ride in the second chariot, and the people “cried before him, Bow the knee.” He also gave Joseph an Egyptian name: Zaphnath-paaneah, which means, “The man to whom secrets are revealed.” And, he gave him a wife—Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, priest of On.—vss. 42-45
During the seven years of plenty “the earth brought forth by handfuls” (vs. 47), and Joseph gathered corn “as the sand of the sea.” He laid up the food in the cities (vss. 48,49), then seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. In all the land of Egypt there was bread.
But, finally, when the Egyptians grew hungry, they “cried to Pharaoh for bread.” He said to them, “Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses.” All the surrounding “countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.”—vss. 55-57
Joseph was thirty years old when he had a mission to preserve the life of his own people as well as the Egyptians. Jesus, also, was thirty years of age when he entered upon his ministry to ensure life in his kingdom to God’s people and to the whole world. If we are faithful, God will also grant us a part in blessing the world.