Joseph - From Inmate To Governor Series

January 18, 2025

Joseph had proven an excellent interpreter of dreams – the Chief Cupbearer had, indeed, been restored to his former position.

I can imagine that Joseph experienced a moment of excitement as he anticipated his release from prison, but alas, no word came from the palace and the gates of the prison remained decidedly shut. The Chief Cupbearer had completely forgotten about Joseph.

2 full years went by…..

One night Pharaoh had a dream (Genesis 41:1b-7):

• He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river came 7 sleek and fat cows. After them, 7 ugly and gaunt cows came up out of the Nile and stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank. Suddenly, the gaunt cows ate the fat cows --- with a start, Pharaoh woke up.

• He fell asleep again and had a second dream: 7 healthy heads of grain were growing on a single stalk. After them, 7 thin and scorched heads of grain sprouted. Suddenly, the thin heads of grain ate the healthy heads of grain --- Again Pharaoh woke with a start. Whew!! Only a dream.

In that culture, dreams were very important – especially if you were Pharaoh. It was a way for the “gods to communicate” an important message – Well, Pharaoh was clueless and it troubled him. The dreams were important, he was sure of it, but he just didn’t understand, so he did what all good kings do – he sent for all the magicians and wisemen in the land. They were of no help – and as they struggled to give Pharaoh an interpretation, the Chief Cupbearer had a Homer Simpson moment ---- “Doh!” He said as he smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand.

Casually he approached Pharaoh and dropped a bombshell: “Your majesty, I am reminded of a promise I failed to keep. Remember, a couple of years back, when you threw me and the Chief Baker into prison? While we were there, each of us had a dream. A young Hebrew inmate interpreted our dreams - correctly! Things turned out exactly as he said they would – how about that!”

Alarms sounded! Buzzers buzzed! Gongs gonged! “Send for him immediately!” ordered Pharaoh.

After a quick shave and change of clothes Joseph was ushered into the presence of the most powerful man in his world. Pharaoh jumped right in:

"I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. I have been told that you can interpret dreams."

"I cannot interpret your dream, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Pharaoh wasted no time telling Joseph his dream. Joseph wasted no time telling Pharaoh what it meant: 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine – famine so bad the good years would be forgotten.

“I would suggest” Joseph concluded “that you look for a discerning and wise man to put in charge of Egypt. Appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest during the 7 years of plenty. All the grain should be stored under the authority of Pharaoh. This food should be held in reserve to be used during the 7 years of famine, so that the country may not be brought to ruin."

Pharaoh looked around at his advisors…… “Good plan,” he said. “I don’t think we will be able to find anyone like this man – clearly he has the spirit of God.”

Turning to Joseph: "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you…. I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."

Pharaoh put his signet ring on Joseph’s finger, dressed him in fine linen, put a gold chain around his neck, took him around the city in a chariot, changed his name – and deep breath – gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife.

Joseph was 30 years old.

For the next 7 years the grain in Egypt flowed like the sand of the sea and Joseph stored as much as he could. So much grain came into the storehouses, that the scribes stopped keeping records.

Meanwhile, Joseph and Asenath had 2 sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.

Then came the 8th year……….

There was no food. As the famine intensified, Pharaoh sent the people to Joseph and he opened the storehouses and sold the people grain.

The famine was not confined to Egypt – the surrounding countries began to come to buy food – including Canaan.

When Jacob learned there was grain available in Egypt, he called for his sons. When they heard the news, they looked at each other uncertainly. “Why are you just staring at each other?” Jacob asked. “Go to Egypt and buy grain so that we don’t die!”