Shrewd Plan

Shrewd Plan

Genesis 42: ¹⁰ And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. ¹¹ We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”

¹² But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

¹³ And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”

 

¹⁴ But Joseph said to them, “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ ¹⁵ In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. ¹⁶ Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!” ¹⁷ So he ^[d]put them all together in prison three days.

 

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Joseph was put in an awkward position. He was surprised to see his brothers and he was being watched by the Egyptians. Joseph devised a plan to bring Benjamin to Egypt without letting either side know what he was doing.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was not acting petty by placing them in jail for three days, rather he needed to position his brothers as spies with the Egyptians so he could pretend to interrogate them without blatantly showing favor.
• Whoever was the spokesperson for the brothers was being honest at that moment, but knew the brothers had a secret.
• Joseph did not ask them about their family, but they volunteered the information about the size and makeup of the family.

 

Being thrown in jail looks like poetic justice, but it was probably wise positioning on Joseph’s part. Why would he show a specific group of people favor that he did not show anyone else? He had to think of a plan that would give him access to his brothers in front of the Egyptians while showing them favor.

 

But sitting in jail was a consequence of their attempted murder and treachery. GOD was orchestrating a reunion that would ultimately move the Israelites into the promised land. “Three” days was used as their sentence, probably not by coincidence. This number was connected o the butler’s and the baker’s dreams. GOD may have given this number to Joseph as the symbolic time JESUS would spend being raised from the dead.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s accusation of his brothers?
• Have you ever been placed in a difficult situation that seemed like punishment, but was really a blessing?
• Can you look at your current situation differently, knowing GOD is working it out for you to fit in HIS plan?

Remembered Dreams

 

Remembered Dreams

Genesis 42: ⁶ Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. ⁷ Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?”

And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

 

⁸ So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. ⁹ Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

 

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Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They were sent to Joseph who they had not seen in thirteen years or so. He was dressed as an Egyptian so they did not recognize him. They bowed down to him. When Joseph saw his brother and saw them bowing down to him, he remembered the dream GOD gave him.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph did not know how the dream would play out when GOD gave it to him.
• Joseph treated his brothers harshly, knowing the answer to the questions he asked.
• Joseph may have had many mixed feelings about seeing the brothers who sold him into slavery versus GOD being with him, teaching him grace.

 

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. This gave Joseph an advantage that he never would have dreamt of. The brothers were forced to bow down to Joseph. They never would have done this on their own because of the hatred they harbored in their heart. BUT GOD knew this when HE gave Joseph the dream.

 

GOD gave Joseph a prophetic dream that came to fruition after HE created a famine that would make the brothers do anything to survive. This sometimes happens to you and me. Things, people and places are taken away from us, forcing us to rid ourselves of pride, fear and self-doubt. Joseph’s faith increased exponentially when seeing the dream come true/.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s “rough” handling of his brothers during their reunion?
• Has GOD caused a famine around you that is so great, that you have to change?
• Is GOD guiding you to let go of something you are holding onto by placing you in an uncomfortable circumstance?

Protective

Protective

Genesis 42: ³ So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” ⁵ And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

 

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Ten of Joseph’s half-brothers were sent to Egypt to buy grain. But “Jacob” did not send Benjamin with his half-brothers. So the sons of “Israel” went to buy grain.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob may have suspected his sons were not telling him the truth about what happened to Joseph.
• Rachel was the woman Jacob loved, so he treated Joseph and Benjamin, her sons, differently.
• Jacob sent ten of his sons to buy enough food that each could carry.

 

Jacob had hundreds of servants who tended his animals, so they would need to be fed as well. But Jacob sent only his sons to Egypt. He clearly showed a difference between Benjamin and his other sons by saying “Lest some calamity befall him.”  Jacob may have seen something in his sons that he could not quite put his finger on. All he knew in his mind was Joseph was dead.

 

The sons of “Israel” went to Egypt. I believe this distinction was given to Moses on purpose. As Moses writes this book, he flows between Jacob and Israel. I believe GOD is showing how the tribes of Israel ended up in Egypt. The importance of the tribes would become known later. GOD chose a very complex family.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s protective statement to his other sons about Benjamin?
• Has something ever happened in your life that made you more protective of people around you?
• Is GOD moving you to a place where HIS new work will begin?

Do Something!

Do Something!

Genesis 42: When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” ² And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”

 

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GOD made the famine so severe, that there was no place to go to get food. Jacob heard there was food in Egypt. He told his sons to do something!

 

My Observations:

• Jacob’s sons were willing to perish because they had no vision.
• Jacob had to step in and tell his sons to do something!
• Jacob saw that his sons did not have vision and they would perish.

 

GOD turned HIS attention to Jacob and his sons as they faced the seven years of famine. Jacob was a survivor and would not let his family just tit and die. His sons had plotted against Joseph and wound up selling him into slavery. But their plan only went as far as the harm they caused. They did not know where to turn.

 

GOD may have had many reasons for causing the famine, but the one that is revealed is the famine forced the sons of Israel to go to Joseph, just as the dream of Joseph said. This difficult time was being used by GOD to bring HIS people to Egypt.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Jacob’s statement to his sons?
• Have you ever felt hopeless?
• Do you realize GOD’s plan is greater than your circumstance and HE will move you to where HE needs you someday?

Deliverer

Deliverer

Genesis 41: ⁵³ Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. ⁵⁵ So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” ⁵⁶ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

 

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After the seven years of plenty ended, seven years of famine began, just as Joseph prophesied. First the Egyptians came to Pharaoh, asking him to fix their problem. But he sent them to “Joseph.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Joseph the interpretation of the dream HE gave Pharaoh.
• Joseph used his gift of administration to store up food all over the providence of Egypt.
• Pharaoh called Joseph “Joseph” versus using the name he gave him.

 

Maybe it was a good guess that the land would provide abundance, Pharaoh may have thought. If  abundance happened for eight or nine or ten years, Pharaoh would still look good. But it happened just as Joseph predicted. How can this be, Pharaoh may hove thought. Then he realized, GOD was speaking through Joseph.

 

Pharaoh sent everyone who asked to Joseph. Even Pharaoh recognized this was no coincidence. GOD positioned Joseph to deliver the Egyptians and all the countries from the famine. GOD provided the abundance and positioned Joseph as HIS deliverer.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Pharaoh’s reaction to the cries of the people regarding the seven years of famine?
• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Is GOD positioning you to be HIS deliverer by using the gifts HE has given you?

Significant Revival

 

Significant Revival

Genesis 41: ⁵⁰ And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. ⁵¹ Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” ⁵² And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

 

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Sometime during the years of plenty, Joseph had two sons Manasseh and Ephriam. Asenath, an Egyptian daughter of a priest who worshipped Ra the sun god, is mentioned for the second time.

 

My Observations:

• Asenath influenced her sons to live as Egyptians.
• Manasseh would later struggle with GOD
• Ephriam would become a huge tribe, yet would also struggle with GOD.

 

The birth of these two sons was so significant to GOD, that one of the tribes, Dan, was replaced in the book of Revelation with Manasseh. My guess is Manasseh was born somewhere around year three of the famine and Ephriam was born around year five. I have no factual basis for the numbers other than Joseph was extremely busy storing up food for Egypt.

 

Joseph struggled with being separated from his father. He may have thought of Jacob every day. Joseph may have learned how to manage people from Jacob. Naming Manasseh “Making me forget my sorrow” indicates He missed his father. Naming Ephriam “Double fruitfulness” was done after collecting so much food that the amount could not be counted.

 

Joseph recognized that he was in a land that afflicted him. He had been taken from his father, enslaved  and imprisoned. This land started off as a place of doom. BUT GOD healed the situation and made Joseph fruitful in all he did.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the birth of Joseph’s son in such detail?
• Have you ever come out of a trial and remembered what you went through?
• Does GOD’s revival of you have to come in the way you think?

Obedience During Abundance

Obedience During Abundance

Genesis 41: ⁴⁶ 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. ⁴⁷ Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. ⁴⁸ So 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; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. ⁴⁹ Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.

 

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Joseph was seventeen when GOD gave him the dreams of his family bowing down to him. But now he was thirty. Thirteen years had passed since he had the dreams. Joseph went out into various parts of Egypt and made guarded storehouses for grain to make bread and feed animals.

 

My Observations:

• It was GOD that made the crops of Egypt produce in a supernatural abundance.
• Joseph did not really know if GOD would do what HE said, but he was obedient because he believed what GOD told him in the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream.
• GOD’s abundance was so great, they could not count how much food they had.

 

GOD was preparing everyone for what HE was about to do. HE was going to cut the abundance off for seven years. Joseph was only told that there would be a famine. He used his administrative gift, coupled with the skill he had with flocks to save up what would be needed to sustain people through the famine.

 

“GOD told me to save up because of the impending famine” would sound like strange words to someone when abundance was flowing. But these words would save people all over the world. Egypt would become famous, not because of Pharaoh, but because of HIS promise to Joseph. Obedience during abundance would save the people.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s actions with the abundance HE supplied?
• What do you do when GOD gives you plenty?
• How is GOD preparing you during this season of your life?

Trusted Empowered Gifted

Trusted Empowered Gifted

Genesis 41: ⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” ⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

 

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Immediately, Pharaoh trusted Joseph because of the interpretation of the dream. Pharaoh had a formal way to create rules which required documentation with his signet ring stamp. He gave control to Joseph by giving him the signet ring. He paraded Joseph around Egypt so people would know who he was and he gave Joseph a wife.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh trusted Joseph implicitly because Joseph did not try to get anything from Pharaoh.
• Pharaoh worshipped the sun god Ra, so he thought he was doing Joseph a favor by giving him the daughter of the priest of On.
• Pharaoh welcomed Joseph into the Egyptian culture and tried to rename him Zaphnath-Paaneah, which could mean GOD speaks and HE lives.

 

Joseph was trusted by Pharaoh, empowered by him and given gifts by him. He could do as he please without consulting Pharaoh. But Joseph did not turn his heart away from GOD. He accepted the gifts, wore the clothes and did what he was supposed to do with the power he was entrusted.

 

But Joseph also knew that Pharoah was not worshipping the one and true GOD. Pharaoh believed in many gods and classified GOD as one of them. Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife of the smartest, wisest person he knew. Even Poti-Pherah could not interpret Pharaoh’s dream. So Joseph was allowed to go out all over Egypt without being watched over. Joseph’s integrity was in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what Pharaoh gave to Joseph?
• What is your perspective about receiving something that looks worldly, but is a gift?
• Can you accept the world’s things without having them change your relationship with the LORD?

Dream Actually Happening!

Dream Actually Happening!

Genesis 41: ³⁷ So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. ³⁸ And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

 

³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” ⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

 

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After Joseph laid out a plan to align with the impending crisis that GOD was going to do, Pharaoh consulted his servants. They all agreed with Joseph’s plan. Pharaoh placed Joseph over all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh was above Joseph. No one else.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s dream given by GOD was now coming to fruition.
• Joseph was being placed over an unlikely territory by GOD, that could care less about GOD.
• Joseph did not ask to be thrown in a pit or thrown in prison, but as a result, he was placed over the entire providence.

 

Joseph may have been ready for this appointment by Pharaoh. He had been placed over Potiphar’s house and ended up in prison. This wrongful imprisonment may have added caution to Joseph, knowing that fame is fleeting. He may have see the fickle Pharaoh making a huge decision that could one day be take back.

 

Joseph did not celebrate. When Pharaoh said “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt,”” Joseph did not respond. Joseph may have known that while Pharaoh was giving orders, GOD was the catalyst for the change. GOD is so powerful that even the mention of what HE is about to do , strikes fear in human hearts. GOD’s prophetic dream that HE gave Joseph was coming true.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses what Pharaoh said and did?
• When it’s your time, do you think it will be different than you thought?
• When GOD reveals something to you, do you think it should happen right away or in HIS time?

Gifts Put to Use

Gifts Put to Use

Genesis 41: ³³ “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. ³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. ³⁶ Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

 

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At a young age, Joseph was wise and was placed over Potiphar’s household. He got practice managing the affairs of Potiphar and learned how to lead by influence. But when Potiphar’s wife lied on him, he was thrown into prison. Afterwards he was freed and was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. He used his gifts to tell Pharaoh what to do with the dreams.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Joseph wisdom to lead people.
• Joseph was exposed to many difficult situations while managing Potiphar’s house.
• Joseph was maturing in wisdom and may have used his “pit” situation as fuel for choosing his words wisely.

 

Joseph did not say to Pharaoh, “You know, GOD gave me a dream too! HE told me that people would bow to me!” Instead, Joseph used wisdom and left his situation out of the solution. Joseph gave a pure answer to Pharaoh’s huge problem. He also told Pharaoh the answer without expecting anything for himself.

 

Pharaoh could take Joseph’s answer to the impending problem and make it look like he came up with the solution. But this did not matter to Joseph. He gave an answer based on GOD’s giftedness. He did not hold back the solution or partially give it and say to Pharaoh, “If you put me in the position I will tell you the rest.” Joseph remained pure to GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s remedy?
• Is your desperation causing you to hold back GOD’s gifts while you wait to be paid?
• Do you realize your gifts that GOD gave you may positively impact the right person today?

Quick Preparation

Quick Preparation

Genesis 41: ²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: ²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. ²⁷ And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. ²⁸ This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. ²⁹ Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; ³⁰ but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. ³¹ So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. ³² And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

 

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GOD gave Joseph a dream and the ability to interpret dreams. After Pharaoh told him the dreams, Joseph interpreted the meaning. He told Pharaoh something that would take fourteen years to prove out. Joseph also told Pharoah this is urgent.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Pharaoh a dream, even though Pharaoh may have considered himself a god.
• GOD used Pharaoh even though he abused people and killed them at the slightest mistake.
• GOD was going to do what HE said HE would, whether Pharaoh believed HIM or not.

 

After hearing about Joseph’s supernatural gifts from the butler, Pharaoh was intrigued. He could feel in his spirit that the dreams had to be something substantial. Joseph explained the urgency of the dreams. Since the dreams were repeated and were food related.

 

Two sets of seven are mentioned in the two dreams. One set showed plenty and the other showed extreme loss. GOD has revealed that seven is important throughout scripture. HE chose to rest on the seventh day during creation. Later GOD will reveal that there are seven spirits of GOD. In this case GOD showed Pharaoh what HE will do so Pharaoh could prepare. It wasn’t about Pharaoh, rather GOD was using this to raise up Joseph and HIS people.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream?
• Is GOD doing something bigger that your circumstance?
• Despite your situation, are you prepared for what GOD is about to do?

Wrong Crowd

Wrong Crowd

Genesis 41: ¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. ¹⁸ Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. ¹⁹ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. ²⁰ And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. ²¹ 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. So I awoke. ²² Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. ²³ Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. ²⁴ And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

 

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After Joseph was released from prison, Pharaoh told him about the dreams that troubled him. Pharaoh then said he told his magicians, but they could not interpret the dream.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was disturbed by this dream GOD gave him.
• Pharaoh used magicians who had limited supernatural powers.
• Pharaoh was revered as a god, and was probably even more disturbed that he could not understand this dream.

 

Believing in what he saw, Pharaoh entrusted his strange dreams to his magicians who had performed tricks that could not be explained. The magicians may have gotten their supernatural powers from Satan, but these powers were limited. 

 

Pharaoh may have seen Joseph as similar to the magicians. He considered himself as a god and everyone else was his servant. He felt he had power over life and death of a person because the crowd also believed he was a god. But the one and only true GOD baffled him.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Pharaoh’s discussion with Joseph?
• Have you experienced getting advice from a group of people who may or may not have consulted GOD?
• Will you seek GOD’s guidance today to get HIS supernatural direction for you today?

It’s Your Time

It’s Your Time

Genesis 41: ¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. ¹⁵ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”

 

¹⁶ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

 

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Pharoah heard about Joseph from the butler who was imprisoned with Joseph two years prior. Pharoah was eager to hear the interpretation of his dream so they rushed Joseph out of the dungeon. He shaved for the first time in years and put on a new set of clothes. Joseph told Pharoah that GOD would give an answer of peace.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph probably had given up on the thought that he would be free.
• Joseph struggled with being in prison due to his innocence.
• GOD had a timing for Joseph to be freed and HE used an unconventional person who did not worship HIM to free Joseph.

 

Egyptian Pharaohs were so powerful that they were worshipped as gods. They bowed to no one, rather all were to bow to them. GOD used this arrogance for HIS purpose. HE used Pharaoh’s abuse of power to work through the butler to bring Joseph to Pharaoh.

 

I believe the butler supernaturally forgot Joseph and was reminded on Pharaoh’s birthday that Joseph could interpret dreams. This was the beginning of the rise of Joseph part two. Joseph gave credit to GOD regarding interpretations of dreams. Little did Joseph know that GOD was about to put him in charge to make a way for HIS covenant to be fulfilled.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the actions of Pharaoh and Joseph?
• Can your time look different than you expect?
• Is GOD preparing you to act as HIS ambassador and are you crediting HIM for where you are and what you are doing?

Almost Time

Almost Time

Genesis 41: ⁹ Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. ¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, ¹¹ we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. ¹² Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. ¹³ And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

 

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Speaking cautiously, the chief butler spoke to Pharoah. Because of Pharoah’s dream, he remembered Joseph. This dream came exactly two years after the butler was released.

 

My Observations:

• The butler may have been so intimidated, that when he was released and the baker was hung, he did not want to make any waves.
• The baker may have supernaturally forgotten Joseph.
• GOD brought Joseph to remembrance at the right time.

 

Sometimes we forget things or overlook things that are extremely important. Joseph asked the baker to remember him, but the baker may have been so intimidated, that he could not remember anything byt trying to please Pharoah. Meanwhile Joseph sat in prison. Does this sound familiar? You and I can think GOD will rescue us immediately, but HIS timing may be different.

 

The baker finally remembered Joseph. He said to Pharoah “I remember my faults this day” possibly meaning he coud have told Pharoah years ago, but didn’t. GOD orchestrated a servant that was close enough to Pharoah to have this discussion. Pharoah would have never listened to the butler regarding leadership choices. BUT GOD paved the way for Joseph. It was almost Joseph’s time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about the butler’s conversation with Pharoah?
• Have you forgotten someone that needs mentioning?
• Do you believe that GOD is working out HIS plan for you in ways you cannot see right now?

Right Timing

Right Timing

Genesis 41: Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. ² Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. ³ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. ⁴ And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. ⁶ Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. ⁷ And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. ⁸ Now 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 its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

 

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Joseph sat in prison another “two full years.” Pharoah had two dreams that he could not interpret. He told the dream to his magicians but they could not interpret the dreams.

 

My Observations:

• The part of Pharoah that was supposed to be listening to GOD was his “spirit” and that was troubled.
• Pharoah surrounded himself with men who were able to perform supernatural acts that were not of GOD.
• Pharoah told his dreams to his magicians and wise men and probably could discern that they were guessing or did not know.

 

Significant dreams from GOD led Pharoah to be troubled. These dreams possibly came on his birthday, exactly two years after he let the butler free and hanged the baker. Joseph, by now, had lost hope that he would get out of prison. He was hated by his brothers, framed by Potiphar’s wife and left to die in a prison he shouldn’t have been in. BUT GOD’s timing was not on his mind.

 

GOD gave Pharoah the dreams at the exact moment HE needed to. Joseph was part of HIS plan and so was Pharoah. Joseph had to wait for Pharoah to have the dream that would set in motion a series of events that would eventually free Joseph for GOD’s purposes. The right timing was here!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about “two full years” and the details of Pharoah’s dream?
• Are you feeling trapped and are waiting for GOD to release you from your prison?
• Can you wait on GOD’s timing, knowing HE is orchestrating a plan that includes you and many others?

 

Forgotten but Remembered

Forgotten but Remembered

Genesis 40: ²⁰ Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. ²¹ Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. ²² But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. ²³ Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

 

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GOD gave Joseph a dream that caused his brothers to be jealous and want to kill him. Instead they sold him to the Ishmaelites who then sold him to the Egyptians. There he was lied on by Potiphar’s wife and ended up in prison. He interpreted Pharoah’s chief butler and chief baker’s dreams. The butler was set free and the baker was hanged. The butler forgot to tell Pharoah about Joseph.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph did not ask for the dream GOD gave him, yet he seemed to lose his family, friends and was now in prison.
• Joseph asked for one favor from the butler and the butler could not even do that.
• Joseph knew the interpretation came from GOD, yet he remained in prison.

 

What do you do when you’ve done everything right and it still seems like everything is going wrong? Joseph followed GOD and was given dreams and the ability to interpret dreams. But what good was this gift if he remained in prison? It was a lot of good.

 

Joseph did not know that GOD’s plan was still in action. The glimmer of hope that Joseph had by placing faith in a human seemed lost. BUT GOD was still at work and needed Joseph in prison a little longer. GOD’s timing did not feel good but was right and included many factors.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the butler forgetting to tell Pharoah about Joseph?
• Have you ever felt forgotten?
• Can you hold on and allow GOD’s timing to come to fruition for HIS great plan HE has for you?

Misinterpreting the Interpreter

Misinterpreting the Interpreter

Genesis 40: ¹⁶ When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. ¹⁷ In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”

 

¹⁸ So Joseph answered and said, “This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. ¹⁹ Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.”

 

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Joseph had given the butler an interpretation of his dream that sounded favorable. The baker decided to tell Joseph his dream. Joseph gave him the interpretation that was not favorable.

 

My Observations:

• The baker may have thought that Joseph was there to only spread good news.
• The baker may have thought that he was going to get some good news since he had a dream on the same day and it included similar numbers.
• Birds symbolize predators and prey, but in this instance, it means predator birds will feast on the bakers body that was displayed as a warning to people.

 

Thinking that Joseph was only there for good news made the baker tell Joseph his dream. He misinterpreted Joseph’s role. Joseph was simply the messenger. The baker may have wanted Joseph to be the cause for his escape from Pharoah.

 

We do the same as the Baker. We only want to hear good news from the interpreters of GOD’s word. But there are difficult messages that may cause us to question GOD. In this slice of history, the baker was under a cold and heartless Pharoah. He, and others, were put to death  for even the slightest infraction. GOD gave Joseph the interpretation.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the interpretation of the baker?
• Are there some difficult things about GOD’s sovereignty that can cause you to question HIS approach?
• If you have questions about GOD’s approach, are you willing to ask HIM for clarification so you can apply it to your life?