Studies In Genesis: Chapter 41 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

What happened in Chapter 40? At the end of chapter 40 where do we leave Joseph?

Romans 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Do you think that Joseph understands this verse?

Genesis 41

1. And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

So it has been two full years. Two years Joseph has been in prison. For what reason? He was innocent. Just think about this for a moment. Think about two years of your life. Now think about two full years in prison. Joseph thinking as we would think, what good could come out of this?

2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 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. 4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

Kine are cattle. Seven well favored cattle that came out of the river. Probably known as the Nile river the most popular of Egypt. Then we see seven more cattle that came out. These were all skinny and frail. Surprisingly the skinny ate the fat cows.

Now probably the Pharaoh did not think much of this dream. All people have dreams. He probably planned to forget it. But God would not let him.

5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream. 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.

So the Pharaoh again had another dream. Another puzzling dream. Does anyone know what the corn is here? Corn is an old word that has changed meaning and actually means grain. Head of grain. And we see that the rank or fat grain was eaten by the thin ears.

Now this happening twice the Pharaoh was really troubled. He was distressed. So what should he do. He should call the magicians to come.

Remember what Joseph said earlier in chapter 40 verse

Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

So far the Pharaoh did not know this but as we will see before the end of this chapter he will know who the true God is. Here we see one of the purposes for Joseph being brought into this picture and we will see it in Joseph's life.

I want to make a note here. This is forbidden for us to do in the Old Testament and the New Testament. We should avoid all contact with divination. All contact with anything remotely similar.

Deuteronomy 18:9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].

Acts 19: 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling; Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus as magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.