Genesis 41

Genesis 41:1

5. Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh’s Dreams (Chap. 41)41:1-13 When none of the magicians of Egypt could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams of the seven fat and seven ugly and gaunt cows, of the seven plump and good ears and seven thin heads of grain, then the chief butler remembered Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams. The two full years mentioned in verse 1 may refer either to the time of Joseph’s imprisonment or the time since the chief butler’s release. 41:14-32 Called before Pharaoh, Joseph explained that there would be seven years of great plenty in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine which would devastate the land. The repetition or duplication of Pharaoh’s dream meant that it was established by God and that He would shortly bring it to pass. We see this also in Joseph’s two dreams concerning his future (Gen_37:6-9) and in the similar visions of Daniel 2 and 7. In the Bible, two is the number of witness. Joseph gave the same reply to Pharaoh in the royal hall as he gave to his servants in the prison house. “It is not in me; God will give . . . an answer of peace” (v. 16; cf. Gen_40:8). It is this humility that made it possible for the Lord to entrust Joseph with tremendous responsibility without fear that it would corrupt him. 41:33-36 Joseph counseled Pharaoh to set aside reserves of grain during the years of plenty so that there would be sufficient during the famine years. His plan was what has since been called “the ever-normal granaries.” 41:37-46 Pharaoh was so pleased that he made Joseph second in command, appointed him to administer the program (v. 40), assured him that without his consent no one would do anything (v. 44), and gave him a new name, Zaphnath-Paaneah (v. 45a. The meaning of the name is uncertain. Some suggest Savior of the world; others say it probably means God speaks and He lives. He also gave Asenath, a Gentile, to be Joseph’s wife (v. 45). How could Pharaoh set a Hebrew prisoner over the land of Egypt on the basis of a dream’s interpretation without waiting to see if it was true? The answer is in Pro_21:1 : “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.” Cream rises to the surface.

Joseph was the first of many godly Jews to rise to prominence in Gentile governments. He was thirty years old when he began this ministry (v. 46); it was thirteen years since he was sold by his brothers (cf. Gen_37:2). 41:47-52 The abundance of the first seven years was so great that it was impossible to keep an accurate record. It was during those years that two sons were born to JosephManasseh (making to forget) and Ephraim (fruitful). Forgetting the wrongs committed against him, Joseph became fruitful. 41:53-57 When the seven years of famine came, the starving people of Egypt and of all the countries came to Joseph . . . to buy grain. Here Joseph is a type (symbol) of Christ, through whom all the blessings of God are dispensed to the hungering people of this earth. It was the providence of God that brought Joseph to Egypt to save his people from famine, but it was also to isolate them from the moral pollution of the land of Canaan. Chapter 38 illustrates what was happening to the children of Israel in Canaan. God’s remedy was to remove them to Egypt, where they would be virtually cut off from the heathen (Gen_43:32).