Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page
In the last couple of articles we learned that Joseph had told the cupbearer through a dream interpretation that he was going to be restored to his original royal position within three days. He would then ask the cupbearer to remember him and to speak a good word to Pharaoh after he was restored back to his position within the Egyptian royal courts. The Sacred Record reveals that Joseph's dream interpretation did come to pass for the cupbearer. But after the cupbearer had been released from his prison sentence, the Sacred Record also points out that he had forgotten about Joseph. Two full years would pass before the cupbearer would remember Joseph again. But this would be at the doing of the Almighty God, for He had caused Pharaoh to have a pair of disturbing dreams. Pharaoh would be troubled by what he saw when it came to these dreams and because of this, he would summon all the magicians and sages from throughout the land. Once assembled, Pharaoh would tell these men about his dreams, but none of them would be able to interpret them. It would be at this point that the cupbearer would be reminded about Joseph, who was a certain dream interpreter who once interpreted his dream correctly as he sat in prison. The cupbearer would quickly tell Pharaoh about Joseph and his gift of interpreting dreams, perhaps thinking that this would solidify a more favorable position with Pharaoh. Needless-to-say with Pharaoh being bother by these dreams, he immediately sent for this so-called "dream interpreter". After Joseph had received word that he had been summoned by the Egyptian ruler, another side of Joseph would be revealed. We will now see how he would show great respect when it came to the Egyptian culture, and the high office that Pharaoh held, in spite of the harsh treatment he had experienced thus far from within the land. This respect was shown by Joseph when he shaved his face and changed into more appropriate clothing. Finally, Joseph would be brought before Pharaoh and it's at this moment that the Egyptian ruler asked him a question: "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it?" You know often times we get so caught up in what's before us, we might tend to forget how to be a true representative for the Almighty God. But make no mistake, no matter where Joseph went, regardless if he wanted to, or was forced to be there -- he never forgot that he was a representative to the Almighty God. And this is displayed by Joseph when we find him standing in front of the most powerful man in that region (perhaps the world at the time), and this Egyptian ruler knows about Joseph and his great reputation when it came to dream interpretations. And yet, Joseph remembers to stay humble and give God all the glory: "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." After Pharaoh had heard Joseph's reply, he began to tell him about his dreams: "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up -- scrawny and very ugly and lean. "I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they had ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; so they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. "In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted, withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me." -- (Genesis 41:17-24) After Joseph had heard about the dreams, he gives his interpretation: "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 good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. "The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward 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 do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them." -- (Genesis 41:25-30) Joseph continues on: "Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him charge of the land of Egypt. "Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine." -- (Genesis 41:31-36) Perhaps one of the most interesting things about this interpretation, is that Joseph actually follows it with divine wisdom. Understand that the reason why I state that this is divine wisdom and not just good counsel -- is for the simple fact that we must understand that when it came to Joseph, he tries to operate within a way that will be pleasing to the Lord. This is why we find that Joseph only speaks the words that are given to him by the Almighty God. Make no mistake, God has a reason for helping and saving Egypt during this ordeal that they are about to face. I'd like to point something else out real quick... Notice how Joseph's dream interpretation is pretty much straight forward, but there is one part that I would like to make a clarification on: "Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance." Although Joseph did a great job in his explanation to Pharaoh, I just wanted to point out, in regards to the fifth of the harvest that was to be taken up for each year that Egypt was to have an abundance. This fifth of the harvest basically represented what a normal harvest would have been during that year without the added increase. And if these instructions are followed correctly, the Egyptian Empire should be able to stored up enough grain surpluses that would supply them with enough food that would last throughout the severe seven year famine that was to follow. Will Pharaoh humble himself and take heed to the advice that was given by Joseph? And if Pharaoh does act upon this advice, who will be put in charge -- when it comes to this very important project? Could Joseph finally be released from prison, being that he was able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams?
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 69) Joseph the Interpreter of Dreams 71) Joseph & The Pit of Darkness 72) Jacob the Father of Sorrow 73) The Importance of Judah's History 75) The Reaping Season of Judah 76) Tamar's Revenge 78) Joseph the Servant of Favor 79) Potiphar's Wife Lies on Joseph 82) The Dreaming Cupbearer & Baker 84) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt  |
|
|
