Dreams! Dreams! From Joseph, an unknown teenager, to Pharaoh, top brass in a world empire, they kept dreaming. Dreams can mean nothing or they can mean everything to the dreamer. In contact with the Author of dreams, Joseph had become quite an interpreter of dreams.
So, it happened that Pharaoh also had a dream, two dreams in one night, two dreams linked together to provide a warning about Egypt’s imminent catastrophe, but who would interpret his dreams?
None of Pharaoh’s so called “magicians and wise men” could enlighten him, but there was one small link, his cup bearer, to the man who could.
Genesis 41:8-9 NLT
[8] The next morning Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant. [9] Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh….
[13] And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole.”
Enter Joseph, the dreamer turned interpreter! All the events of the past thirteen years are now centred on this critical moment.
“God will not answer your prayers until He has put all the structures in place to maintain that answer.”
How true is this statement I heard many years ago!
The final structure on place, Pharaoh summonses Joseph to the palace.
Genesis 41:14 NLT
[14]”Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh.”
What thoughts raced through Joseph’s mind as he prepared to meet Pharaoh? Did he have any idea that his own dreams were about to come true? Did he imagine for one moment, that he would not only be released from prison but also be promoted to prime minister of Egypt?
Strange dreams indeed! Seven fat cows eaten by seven emaciated cows? Seven full ears of grain decimated by seven diseased ears! Joseph quickly understands their connection and their meanings. Seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
Unafraid to tell this pagan king the source of his understanding, the God of all gods, Joseph gives him the interpretation and the solution to this massive challenge.
So, in a flash, Joseph finds himself second ruler in Egypt! Pharaoh recognised in him a man not only capable of interpreting dreams but also wise enough to run the entire enterprise. Once again, Joseph finds favour with the man in charge.
There is a little recurring phrase in Joseph’s story upon which hangs the entire process of this drama.
Genesis 39:2 NLT
[2] ‘The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. “
Genesis 39:21 NLT
[21]”But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.”
Genesis 41:39-40 NLT
[39] “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. [40] You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
The statement, “God was with Joseph…” means so much more than God’s passive presence. When God is “with” us, He comes with all His divine attributes and all His resources to sustain and support His chosen man or woman for His hour.
Th same was written of David, God’s model king and forerunner of the Messiah, Son of David.
1 Samuel 18:14 NLT
[14] “David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.”
There is a category of God’s people in the New Covenant who can share in this privileged position in God if they fulfill the condition.
Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
A mind free of worry and filled with gratitude and God’s truth, believing and living it out in everyday life activates God’s favour in all they do.
David prayed..
Psalms 86:11 NLT
[11]”Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”
And David experienced…
Psalms 5:12 NIV
[12] “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
To be continued…