1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
It’s been another two years that Joseph has remained in prison.
One day Pharaoh has these two crazy dreams. Seven fat cows are eaten by seven scrawny cows and seven plump ears of corn are eaten by seven thin and scorched ears that sprouted after them. None of the magicians or wise men of Pharaoh’s court could interpret the dreams for him.
Then the cupbearer realises he completely forgot about Joseph who had correctly interpreted his dream. He tells Pharaoh about Joseph and the fact that he correctly interpreted both his and the baker’s dreams.
Joseph is called for, made presentable, and appears before Pharaoh. Pharaoh tells Joseph that he has had these dreams that no one can interpret but that he has heard that Joseph is able to interpret the dreams. Joseph answers that it is not him who is able to interpret dreams, but God, the dream giver, who will also provide the interpretation.
Can you imagine being completely forgotten for two years? Imagine our Covid-19 lockdown continued for another two years. Long periods of time like that may seem completely pointless to us. But God uses those times we might consider a waste to work in us, to prepare us for a time when He will work through us. Think back to Joseph’s brothers. They were so hasty to get what they wanted that they were prepared to kill Joseph. Joseph, on the other hand, patiently submitted to God and remained faithful. Now He is ready to serve God in God’s time. Are you patiently waiting, submitting to God’s working in your life? Or are you too hasty to get things done that you are planning your own life rather than living according to God’s plan?
It struck me that Joseph could have easily taken the credit for being someone who could interpret dreams, Pharaoh was ready to give it to him. Instead Joseph points back to God.
I like the way that Joseph answers Pharaoh in vs 16, giving the glory to God and not himself.
This reminded me of the fact that sometimes I may want to be proud and take credit for something I’ve done but I need to realise that everything I do is made possible with God because he gave me those talents or gifts and so I must glorify Him instead no matter how tempted I may be to take the glory for myself.
Again what I got from the passage was the fact that this was all God’s plan and even thought it took quite a long time it was all the plan that God had for Joseph
So what caught my attention was verse 16 when Joseph answered to the pharaoh said this “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”
That what caught my attention