Pharaoh Dreams
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.
Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
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. 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. 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 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 simnilarities to Joseph life and thatof 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;
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,
Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
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.
The rabbins interpreted Zaphnath-paaneah as Hebrew in the sense revealer of a secret . As the name must have been Egyptian, it has been explained from the Coptic as meaning the preserver of the age. So Joseph received a nice Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife.
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. In Jesus time, 30 was the age that it was lawful to become a priest. He fulfilled all the law. Jesus was the messiah, the saviour, the great high priest, prophet, King...the titles are infinite.
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 keep us with all we need for life.
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. As a father I know the joy and hope when a new child is born. It is like a new beginning a new relationship with a close person to bless and share your life and the LORD with.
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 Isreal. God richly honored Joseph. Ephraim means fruitful; increasing. I knew one Ephraim, a mexican cabinet maker in a Mobile home factory. His specialty was making the kitchen sink cabinets. He took great pride in his work. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Gen 42:1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
Gen 42:2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
Gen 42:3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
Gen 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
Benjamin was the only brother left from Jacobs (Isreals) beloved Rachel. He had grieved so at the lost of his favored Joseph, now he takes special care of him.
Gen 42:5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
Gen 42:6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
Here then is the fulfillment of Josephs young dream from the Lord. His brothers are bowing before him, yet they did not know it was Joseph. They did not get the picture, at least not yet. What we see is Gods purposes coming to pass. Our purpose should be his purpose for our lives. We should not oppose anothers vision. We are not to mock or hinder Gods plans, they will come about with or without our help. In time of need there will be many seeking help from the Church. This will be our opportuinity to share with them materially and spiritually. The message of Jesus forgiveness of sins, the gospel will be the salvation of those who seek. LORD draw people to you by any means. May they find new life and new hope in your son Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen
Accused as Spies
Josephs brothers had shown no remorse or repentance concerning their treatment of Joseph. Now Joseph is going to cause the brothers some remorse. They will have to search their souls.
Gen 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
Joseph being a ruler of Egypt, probably spoke through an interpreter. He was giving the brothers a bit of a scare.
Gen 42:8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
Gen 42:9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Joseph remembering the dreams and the way they were not received now plays on their brothers consciences, if they have any. He accuses them of being something they were not. Now what is their reaction, will they justify themselves?
Gen 42:10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
Gen 42:11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
Gen 42:12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Gen 42:13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
We are true, we are honest men. Surely this made them search their conscience, and in there was the past treachery to their brother Joseph. Can any of us before we were saved say that we were honest and true people?
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Gen 42:14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
Gen 42:15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
Gen 42:16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
If you are honest show me the younger brother. They would have to take the last brother of Jacobs choice from him. They must go through his mourning one more time. They have hurt their father before, surely this would bring all of them sorrow.
Gen 42:17 And he put them all together into ward three days.
Like a jury they are left together to decide anothers fate, and their own. Is this not like Jesus in the grave three days, or like Jonah in the fish, not his choice but it had to be endured. Sometimes we are put in bad places, but it is a chance to think. What have I done in the past and what is my future. This was a time to make plans and seek Gods face.
Gary
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