Pharaoh's Dreams
Gen 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
Joseph had been in prison for two years, now God would open a door for him. It would come because Pharaoh was troubled by dreams. Another persons trouble may be our opportunity for service.
Gen 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
Gen 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
Seven fat cows, followed by seven lean cows.
Gen 41:4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
The lean cows ate up the fat cows.
Gen 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
Gen 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
Seven good ears of corn and seven thin ears of corn.
Gen 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
Again, the thin corn ate up the fat corn, and he awakened from his dream.
Gen 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
The dreams troubled him, so he consulted his psychics. This is still going on today, people dream then go to psychics, instead of to God.
Gen 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
Gen 41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
Gen 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
Gen 41:12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
Gen 41:13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
Pharaoh's butler remembers Joseph to the king. Why not earlier? Because the king would not care about Joseph and his troubles. It was when he himself was troubled that he sought help from Joseph. Sometimes that is how God gets us to care for others, by giving us cares and concerns.
2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2 Cor 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Cor 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2 Cor 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2 Cor 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
They cleaned up Joseph. We also must be cleaned up to meet the king. Jesus is our cleanser of sins and filth. He himself cleans us up to rule and reign with him. But no man can come to the Father, until Jesus has cleansed him.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
John 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
Gen 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
While in prison Joseph revealed the meanings of the dreams of the accused Baker and the accused Head Butler. As predicted the Baker lost his life, but the Butler was set free. The Butler had promised to remember Joseph. I'm sure that it seemed like a long time to wait, but finally the Butler has remembered Joseph.
Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Joseph did not speak of himself, like Jesus he heard from God.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
Joseph needed the butler to witness of him as Jesus needed John the Baptist to prepare hearts to receive him. A witness is needed before someone is received. We are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Gen 41:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
Gen 41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
Gen 41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
Gen 41:20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
Gen 41:21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
Gen 41:22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
Gen 41:23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
Gen 41:24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
God often will warn us of things that are to come.
Gen 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
Gen 41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
Gen 41:28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh.
Gen 41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
Gen 41:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
Gen 41:31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
Gen 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
In the Bible when verses are repeated they are important to God for our understanding. In the law, two witnesses were required to establish a truth.
Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
This dream being repeated in detail was Gods way of showing its importance. Can we use this principle for dreams? Perhaps, but first we need to be sure the dream is of God.
Prov 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Here is where a multitude of counsellors is important. Share the dream with trusted Spirit filled Christians and pray about the interpretation.
Gen 41:33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
No time to waste, this is serious.
Gen 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
God is showing Joseph the plan.
Gen 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
Gen 41:36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
Gen 41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Everywhere Joseph goes, God gives him favor, as he submitted to God's will. Life has not been easy, but God has been shaping and perfecting Joseph through all of this. God has a perfect plan. We often get impatient and wonder why things do not go our way. Here Gods plan for Joseph was coming to light.
Lord we trust you with our lives. Lead us LORD into your perfect plan for us. Not my will but yours LORD. We want to obey you. In this we will be perfected and formed into your image. Keep us strong LORD, be our strength and forgive us when we are impatient. The purpose of your plan comes about when it is your appointed time. Praise God we are in your good will!
Joseph Exalted
Gen 41:40 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.
Joseph was a slave made head of Potiphars house, then prison, now he is lifted up to the ruler of Pharaohs palace, second only to pharaoh. God had rewarded his faithfulness. There are many similarities to Joseph life and the coming Christ.
Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
The king's ring with the royal seal. This was the authority of the king given unto Joseph. Our seal is the Holy Spirit, by the Spirit we are given power and authority from Jesus, through faith and grace. The fine linen is symbolic of our being clothed in righteousness, from Jesus. The gold chain could be a parable for the unbroken promises of God for us.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Gen 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Joseph was given the Kings authority and honor, all bowed to him, as all will bow to Jesus the second in the Godhead.
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
As the name must have been Egyptian, it has been explained from the Coptic, Egyptian language, as meaning the preserver of the age. So Joseph received a nice Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife. He was to be the savior of the people, symbolic of Jesus the savior, who is coming for his bride, the church.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
LORD you are God. You reward the faithfulness of your people. Lord may we be faithful, not to be bowed to but to bring others to your feet for healing and grace. You are LORD, we are your servants and children. Thank you for this honor father.
The Harvest
Gen 41:46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
Joseph became second highest ruler of Egypt at age 30. He was sold into slavery at age 17, so was in Egypt for 13 years before being elevated to his title of authority.
Thirty was the lawful age for a priest in Israel, so Jesus began his ministry at age 30. Jesus was the messiah, the saviour, the great high priest, prophet, Son of God, King, and so much more.
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
Gen 41:47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
Gen 41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
Seven in scriptures refers to perfection and completeness. The harvest was bountiful. We have bountiful blessings of God, especially his word. We are to gather as much as we can and store it in our hearts. It is food for our spiritual lives. In time of want or affliction it is there to draw from, to give us nourishment.
Gen 41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Gen 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Gen 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
Manasseh means forgetfulness; he that is forgotten. We forget the pain and suffering of slavery and remember the good things. Joseph had a new beginning, a new family to love and a calling to bless.
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Gen 41:52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Ephraim and Manasseh would be two of the 12 tribes of Israel. God richly honored Joseph. Ephraim means fruitful; increasing. He was fruitful. We are to be fruitful in our work for the Lord and obedience is the way, as Joseph so much has shown us. We have been given another commission, to share Jesus with a lost and dying world. This is where our fruit may increase. Joseph was connected to God, so he was blessed with good fruit.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Gen 41:53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
Gen 41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Joseph obeyed God, and was honored. As a nation listens to the word from God it is blessed and will suffer no want. The blight had come but Egypt was prepared. The blight will come to America. Our nation has turned from God. Are we preparing now in times of abundance? If our Bibles are taken from us will we have the word stored in our hearts to share with those in need? If we can't make it in a time of abundance, relying on drugs or the worlds remedies, what will happen when the famine strikes. Dear people of God, prepare the harvest. Be filled with Gods word and spirit so that you may be perfect lacking nothing. Thank You Lord for giving us your word to bless and keep for the feeding of the hungry souls.
FAMINE
Many are those who oppose God. They are arrogant and rude and yet in time of great want they must humble themselves. If true humility comes, God will answer the need. In times of prosperity not many seek God. But what if a famine? As in the time of Joseph and perhaps in our future people will need to bow their knees for help.
Gen 41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Gen 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
Pharaoh said to the people to go to Joseph, he was in charge of life or death. God the father has put his son in charge of life or death, we must go to him.
1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Gen 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
There was no free lunch. They had to buy the grain. In this way all the nations prospered Egypt through Joseph. Through Jesus, shall all the shall be blessed.
Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
We need to be wise servants of the Lord, hiding his word in our hearts and being good stewards of what he has blessed us with.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
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