Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged." So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Genesis 41:1-16
Two years. 730 long days. This is the length of time that passed from the time the cupbearer was released back to his position with Pharoah to the time that Chapter 41 begins. Ironically, as Chapter 40 ended with a dream coming true, the next chapter starts with another dream…or two in this case. This time, the tormented dreamer is none other than Pharoah himself. So troubled was he by the dreams concerning the cows and grain stalks, that he summoned his magicians and wise men so that they might explain them. But none of the so-called visionaries could do so. Pharoah had to have voiced his frustration in his court and thus the cupbearer being aware of his situation. For reasons unknown outside of this being God’s time for Joseph to be released from prison, the cupbearer finally remember Joseph’s special gift of dream interpretation and he gives his testimony to Pharoah, explaining how Joseph had properly interpreted not only his dream but the baker’s as well.
This must have been sweet music to the Egyptian ruler because he "sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon." After a change of clothes and a shave, Joseph is brought before Pharoah who quickly tells Joseph why he was summoned saying, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." Joseph’s reply must have caught Pharoah off guard because Joseph said to him, "I cannot do it…" But then he adds, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
Joseph’s words carry with them important guidance for us as we go forth in service to the Lord. I will highlight three key takeaways for us as we seek to grow on our Christian walk:
1. Joseph denied himself. When Pharoah asked Joseph to interpret his dream, Joseph could have said, "Tell me what you have dreamed, O Pharoah, and I will tell you what it means." Even if his real intent was to rely on God to do the interpretation for him, there was no indication of it in saying he would do it. So Joseph would end up getting the glory, not the God who truly did it…the One and only true God. But Joseph refused to take credit and told Pharoah, I cannot do it." Essentially, Joseph said, "I don’t have the power or vision alone to do what you ask."
Question: How often do we fail to deny ourselves as we carry out God’s plan and purpose for our lives? Do we impart understanding to another through the guidance of the Word or Spirit and then act like it was all our own doing? We would be well served to follow Joseph’s lead and deny ourselves. After all, Jesus would later say, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24
2. Joseph proclaimed the One who could accomplish what Pharoah wanted. Joseph lets the Egyptian leader (the one who believed in many, many gods) know that God (the one and only God) could give him the answers he desired. Joseph didn’t hesitate in putting credit where credit was due. As much as he was going to interpret the dream as an instrument of God’s will, Joseph also took advantage of the time to evangelize Pharoah, driving home the point that there is only one true God who could do what he desired. Note as well that this was done in advance of the interpretation so Pharoah would know right up front who he should give credit to.
Question: Do you give God all the glory for the things He is using you for?
3. Joseph never doubted what God could do. Note the full confidence Joseph showed in God, knowing He would deliver. He knew God had been with him through every ordeal in his life from the cisterns to the time in Potiphar’s home to the prison and, now, in Pharoah’s presence. God never left Joseph’s side and Joseph knew it fully. This allowed him the confidence to speak boldly in the name of the Lord, lifting up His banner high.
Question: Do you have any doubt as to what God can do in your life? Draw strength through our scripture today and see where God is always with us and willing and able to step in and make a difference using us as living instruments of His will. On our own, we, like Joseph, "cannot do it." But with a steadfast faith in our Almighty Father, we, like Joseph, can boldly proclaim, "but God can."
Amen
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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