©Kris Gerbrandt
Chapter 41:1-13 (ESV) - After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
Question to consider: Why do you think Pharaoh was given a prophetic dream?
We’ve spent the better part of a year with limited social interaction, and personally, it has seemed like the longest year of my life. So imagine what it must have been like for Joseph to be forgotten in prison for two full years. Again, I can’t help but think Peter might have had this situation in mind when he told his church, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:6)
As difficult as it must have been for Joseph to be in prison, there is no indication he ever did anything other than serve the prison keeper faithfully and without complaint. Once Pharaoh had his cryptic dream, the cupbearer remembered what Joseph had done for him. Obviously it was God who provided the dream for Pharaoh and God who brought Joseph to the mind of the cupbearer.
Not only would God use this as an opportunity to exalt Joseph, but God Himself would get the glory when Joseph was finally given a voice.
Dear heavenly Father, like You did with Joseph, we ask that You remember us and help us to humbly serve You in whatever circumstances You have for us. Even though we aren’t given dreams about the future, we know that our future is secure in Christ and can therefore face it with hope and joy. Amen.