Pharaoh’s Dreams – Genesis 41:1-36

The date of the Exodus from Egypt has been very debated, by those who see the Bible as inerrant and those who don’t.  The date of the Pharaoh who interacted with Joseph is a piece of the evidence and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary acknowledges that “Those who feel that a precise chronology can be derived from the biblical record place Joseph in the reign of Amenemhet II or Senusret (Sesostris) II or III.”  They note the possibility of this fits with other data in this passage.  “If the nineteenth century b.c. is the time period of Joseph, it may be of interest that there is evidence of massive irrigation projects in the Faiyum area designed to reclaim additional land for farming (probably during the reign of Senusret II). It might also be noted that during the reign of Amenemhet III around 1800 b.c., a number of years show record high levels of the Nile during the inundation (reaching as high as sixteen feet), but in succeeding years the Nile declined markedly so that ten years later it was only one and a half feet high. Either of these events could conceivably be related to the system suggested and administered by Joseph, though there is no evidence to support such a connection.”  Also, “In the nineteenth century, Senusret III is known for reducing the power of the nomarchs (provincial governors) to restore a more centralized government. In the process a new “bureau of the vizier” and a new bureaucracy were established, involving new commissioners.  Two bureaus (waret) were created, one each for the northern and southern areas of Egypt, operated by a hierarchy of officials. Other departments, such as the “treasury,” the “bureau of the people’s giving,” and the “organization of labour,” were also inaugurated.  Again, there is no evidence to associate this with Joseph, but it demonstrates that periodic modifications in the bureaucracy were not uncommon.”

[1] After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, [2] and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. [3] 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. [4] And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. [5] And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. [6] And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. [7] And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. [8] 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.

[9] Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. [10] 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, [11] we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. [12] 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. [13] And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”

[14] Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. [15] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” [16] Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” [17] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. [18] Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. [19] Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. [20] And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, [21] but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. [22] I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. [23] Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, [24] and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

[25] Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [26] The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. [27] The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. [28] It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [29] There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, [30] but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, [31] and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. [32] And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. [35] And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. [36] That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.” (Genesis 41:1–36, ESV)

Joseph languishes in prison (it is called “the pit”) for two years before the cupbearer remembers his ability to interpret dreams and recommends him to Pharaoh, who has had two troubling dreams.  When Pharaoh invests Joseph with the ability to interpret dreams, Joseph denies it and attributes his ability to God.  He doesn’t say which god, but Pharoah knows this dream is from God and the God that Joseph worships is the one giving the interpretation.

God not only gives Joseph the interpretation, but also a wise plan to implement a way to counter the outcome promised by the dream.  What God says is going to happen will happen, but how the Egyptians respond to that is not determined and Joseph’s plan will actually bring blessing out of this time of plenty followed by famine.

Leaders don’t only recognize problems but possible solutions to those problems.  God has made Joseph a powerful leader.