JOSEPH S RISE TO POWER GENESIS 41:1-57

1 JOSEPH S RISE TO POWER GENESIS 41:1-57

2 Text: Genesis 41:1-57, JOSEPH S RISE TO POWER 1. At the end of two full years Pharaoh had a dream. As he was standing by the Nile, 2. seven fine-looking, fat cows were coming up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the reeds. 3. Then seven bad-looking, thin cows were coming up after them from the Nile, and they stood beside the other cows at the edge of the river. 4. The bad-looking, thin cows ate the seven fine-looking, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5. Then he fell asleep again and had a second dream: There were seven heads of grain growing on one stalk, healthy and good. 6. Then seven heads of grain, thin and burned by the east wind, were sprouting up after them. 7. The thin heads swallowed up the seven healthy and full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized it was a dream. 8. In the morning he was troubled, so he called for all the diviner-priests of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. 9. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, Today I recall my failures. 10. Pharaoh was enraged with his servants, and he put me in prison in the house of the captain of the guards me and the chief baker. 11. We each had a dream one night; each of us had a dream with its own meaning. 12. Now a young man, a Hebrew, a servant of the captain of the guards, was with us there. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted the meaning of each of our respective dreams for us.

3 13. It happened just as he had said to us Pharaoh restored me to my office, but he impaled the baker. 14. Then Pharaoh summoned Joseph. So they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; he shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came before Pharaoh. 15. Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams. 16. Joseph replied to Pharaoh, It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh. 17. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, In my dream I was standing by the edge of the Nile. 18. Then seven fat and fine-looking cows were coming up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the reeds. 19. Then seven other cows came up after them; they were scrawny, very bad-looking, and lean. I had never seen such bad-looking cows as these in all the land of Egypt! 20. The lean, bad-looking cows ate up the seven fat cows. 21. When they had eaten them, no one would have known that they had done so, for they were just as bad-looking as before. Then I woke up. 22. I also saw in my dream seven heads of grain growing on one stalk, full and good. 23. Then seven heads of grain, withered and thin and burned with the east wind, were sprouting up after them. 24. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. So I told all this to the diviner-priests, but no one could tell me its meaning. 25. Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, Both dreams of Pharaoh have the same meaning. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26. The seven good cows represent seven years, and the seven good heads of grain represent seven years. Both dreams have the same meaning. 27. The seven lean, bad-looking cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain burned with the east

4 wind. They represent seven years of famine. 28. This is just what I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the whole land of Egypt. 30. But seven years of famine will occur after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will devastate the land. 31. The previous abundance of the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows, for the famine will be very severe. 32. The dream was repeated to Pharaoh because the matter has been decreed by God, and God will make it happen soon. 33. So now Pharaoh should look for a wise and discerning man and give him authority over all the land of Egypt. 34. Pharaoh should do this he should appoint officials throughout the land to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35. They should gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. By Pharaoh s authority they should store up grain so the cities will have food, and they should preserve it. 36. This food should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt. In this way the land will survive the famine. 37. This advice made sense to Pharaoh and all his officials. 38. So Pharaoh asked his officials, Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present? 39. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning as you are! 40. You will oversee my household, and all my people will submit to your commands. Only I, the king, will be greater than you. 41. See here, Pharaoh said to Joseph, I place you in authority over all the land of Egypt.

5 42. Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his own hand and put it on Joseph s. He clothed him with fine linen clothes and put a gold chain around his neck. 43. Pharaoh had him ride in the chariot used by his second-in-command, and they cried out before him, Kneel down! So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. 44. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, but without your permission no one will move his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt. 45. Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah. He also gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. So Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt. 46. Now Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph was commissioned by Pharaoh and was in charge of all the land of Egypt. 47. During the seven years of abundance the land produced large, bountiful harvests. 48. Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt during the seven years and stored it in the cities. In every city he put the food gathered from the fields around it. 49. Joseph stored up a vast amount of grain, like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it because it was impossible to measure. 50. Two sons were born to Joseph before the famine came. Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, was their mother. 51. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, Certainly God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father s house. 52. He named the second child Ephraim, saying, Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. 53. The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end. 54. Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. There was famine in all the other lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food.

6 55. When all the land of Egypt experienced the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the people of Egypt, Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you. 56. While the famine was over all the earth, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. 57. People from every country came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain because the famine was severe throughout the earth. (NET) Commentary: Two years after the time Joseph interpreted the baker s dream Pharaoh had two dreams. None of the magicians or wise men of Egypt could give interpretation of the dreams. This caused Pharaoh s butler to remember Joseph in prison. Pharaoh called for Joseph to interpret his dreams. He was told that the dreams predicted 7 years of plenty followed by a seven year long famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt to prepare for the coming blessings and famine. Joseph rises to such a powerful position in the government of Egypt could only be accomplished by the working of God. Joseph is elevated to a position of second in command only to Pharaoh. He was able to prevent total disaster for his family as the nation was being built through whom Jesus would be born. These events took place when Joseph was 30 years old. (Genesis 41:46) Joseph was seventeen when he was taken into slavery. (Genesis 37:2) He had now spent 13 years in Egypt as a slave or in prison. Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean cows and seven full heads of grain being eaten by seven lean ears. Joseph wanted Pharaoh to know that only God could give interpretation to his dreams. (Genesis 41:16) Joseph told Pharaoh to find a wise man who would lead in preparing for the coming famine by making preparation during the seven good years. Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name and an Egyptian wife. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah

7 priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:45) Joseph had 2 sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, by his Egyptian wife. (Genesis 41:50-52) During the seven prosperous years Joseph stored up grain in all of Egypt for the famine. When the famine came, all the countries went to Egypt to buy grain. Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams -- Genesis 41:1-8: Two full years after Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh s butler and baker the king of Egypt dreamed two unusual dreams. He dreamed that he was standing beside the Nile River. Pharaoh dreamed that he saw seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed come up out of the Nile River. These fat kine went into the meadow and ate. There also came up out of the river seven ill favoured and leanfleshed kine that stood by the others. These seven ugly, skinny kine that came up out of the river ate the fat, healthy kine. When this happened the king woke up. The king slept again and in a second dream he saw seven full heads of grain were growing on a single stalk. Then there appeared seven other heads of grain. These were thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven full heads. Again when Pharaoh awoke it had only been a dream. He was so disturbed by the dreams that he sent for his wise men and magicians, but they could not tell him what his dreams meant. Now we are better able to understand the delay of Joseph being left in prison. God moved in His perfect timing so now it is time for Joseph to meet the Pharaoh and over a period of 14 years save his own people and much of the population in that area. Pharaoh s butler remembered Joseph -- Genesis 41:9-24: When he awoke Pharaoh told his dreams. None of the wise men or magicians could interpret them. I am sure they gave explanations, but this did not satisfy Pharaoh. At this point the butler remembered Joseph and confessed the wrong he did against him. He recommended Joseph, a young Hebrew, to Pharaoh as a man who could interpret dreams. He recalled how he and the baker were in jail. Joseph interpreted their dreams and carefully explained what each dream

8 meant. The butler said, Everything happened just as he said it would. I got my job back, and the baker was put to death. When, according to God, it was time for Joseph to get out of prison it happened quickly. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon. God s timing is right every time and it can come together in a moment. From our view point we may think God is doing nothing; He may be transforming our life and building our character and spiritual strength. When Pharaoh brought Joseph out of the prison he shaved himself, changed his clothes and went to the king. Pharaoh gave Joseph an opportunity to exalt himself, instead he exalted God. The King said, I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it. Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Joseph now seems much wiser and more humble than when he revealed his own dreams to his brothers. When Pharaoh revealed his dreams to Joseph he revealed a few facts that he did not reveal at first. He gave a little more insight into how bad the poor cows looked. 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. (Genesis 41:19) He also said, And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. In very simple and easy terms Joseph gave God s interpretation of the dreams. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh s dreams -- Genesis 41:25-36: Joseph explained to Pharaoh that both of his dreams had the same meaning. It was, in fact, one dream. In this dream God was showing the King what was about to happen in his land. The seven fat cows and seven full heads of grain each represent seven years. This meant that there would be seven years of plenty and abundance in the Land of Egypt. These years would be followed by seven years of want and famine. The seven, thin, ugly cows and the seven shriveled, blasted ears of grain pictured those seven years. Joseph said, For seven years Egypt will have more than enough grain, but that will be followed by seven years

9 when there will not be enough. The good years of plenty will be forgotten, and everywhere in Egypt people will be starving. The famine will be so bad that no one will remember that once there had been plenty. Joseph told Pharaoh that the dream was doubled because the thing is established by God and God will shortly bring it to pass. Joseph wanted the king to understand the urgency of the matter. There was a purpose for the famine that neither Pharaoh nor Joseph knew. God s purpose was that He was building a nation in order to bring the Messiah to earth. Pharaoh might not have asked but Joseph also gave his advice on what to do. He advised him to select a discreet and wise man to set over the task of gathering grain during the seven good years. There should be officers appointed over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. The people would be taxed twenty percent of their grain each year of the seven good years to prepare for the seven year long famine. This was an urgent call to action. This plan would keep the country from being destroyed because of the lack of food. Joseph was made governor over Egypt -- Genesis 41:37-57: The advice seemed good to Pharaoh so he promoted Joseph to this position of great authority. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:39-41) The King gave Joseph, (1) His ring, (2) Fine linen cloths, (3) A gold chain around his neck, (4) A ride in the second chariot, (5) People to cry out and bow before him, (6) An Egyptian name, (7) An Egyptian wife, and (8) Authority over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh believed that the Spirit of God dwelt in Joseph. (Genesis 41:38) This is the first reference in the Bible to the Spirit of God dwelling in a man. (Genesis 41:38) Joseph was thirty years old at this time. He worked hard for seven years as the land brought forth in abundance. Joseph gathered very much grain and stored it in each city. The grain was as the sand of the sea. They

10 stopped counting the amount they had gathered because the amount was immeasurable. Joseph and his wife had two sons before the famine began. Their first son was named Manasseh. His second son was named Ephraim. God made Joseph a success in the land where he had suffered. When the famine finally struck Egypt, the people asked the king for food. He told them to go to Joseph and ask him. The famine was terrible so Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grain to the Egyptians. Then people from all over the world came to Egypt. The famine was severe in their countries also. Let us never forget that we serve a God who both expects and deserves our obedience. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) There are great blessings that come when we are faithful to God! By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037

11 Questions on Genesis 41:1-57 1. How much time had elapsed since Pharaoh released the cup bearer from prison? 2. In Pharaoh s first dream he was standing beside the Nile River. What is the importance of the Nile River? 3. Describe the meaning of Pharaoh s first dream. 4. Describe the second dream.

12 5. The dreams foretold two (2) aspects of the coming famine. What are they?_ 6. Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams and wanted them interpreted. Why were Pharaoh s wise men unable to decipher their meaning? Why did the cup bearer suddenly remember Joseph, the interpreter of his dreams? 7. Why had Pharaoh s dream been repeated? 8. What was Joseph s response when Pharaoh asked him to interpret his dreams?

13 9. What action did Joseph suggest Pharaoh take in preparation for the years of feast and famine? 10. Pharaoh gave Joseph the authority to prepare Egypt for the upcoming famine. Why did he select Joseph? 11. List the symbols Pharaoh gave to Joseph to authenticate his new authority._ 12. What was the Egyptian name given to Joseph? What was the name of his Egyptian wife?

14 13. Who was Joseph s father-in-law? What position did he hold? 14. Amidst all this Egyptian pagan influence, did Joseph ever forget God? 15. Joseph had two (2) sons by Asenath his Egyptian wife. Name them. Whom did the sons worship? Whom did Asenath worship? 16. The seven (7) years of plenty ended and then there was famine just as Joseph predicted. How widespread was the famine? Did other countries learn of the food supply in Egypt?

15 17. How did this widespread famine fit into God s plan for the Israelites? 18. What is the lesson you take away from this chapter?