And both dreams, according to the cupbearer, involved him! ]. They made up excuses to justify their ignorance. The sickly cows ate up the seven healthy ones. Joseph was ready. Do you think God had a purpose in permitting Joseph to be in Egypt? But unfortunately for Pharaoh... none of these men would be able to interpret his dreams for him. I. Is this true?”, “No Sir, I can’t interpret dreams.” Joseph didn’t cower under his piercing gaze. [Genesis:40:1-23 [1] And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. For two more years Joseph was forgotten in the prison. As a result, his brothers almost killed him and then sold him off to slavery. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? The two men explained that they were agitated by their vivid and puzzling dreams —and by the fact that they had no interpreter with them. T; The Pharaoh sent Joseph back to prison. Joseph, the son of Jacob, had dreams that conveyed his leadership over his brothers. Whe… “God has shown Pharaoh what he’s going to do. But no one could tell they had eaten them. This leads Pharaoh to invite Joseph to interpret his disturbing dreams, and upon his successfully doing so, Joseph is appointed to be Pharaoh’s number two (Gen 41). They told him about the dreams they had had. Pharaoh's Dream CowsSo lately, we've been studying Genesis in the girls bible study I've been going to on Thursdays. [22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: It’s all the same dream. This week, we started learning about Joseph and how he was able to interpret dreams. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! God will send it very soon. In Genesis 40:14-15 and 20-23, how was life once again “unfair” to Joseph? The cup-bearer's dream was about a vine with three branches that was budding. [8] And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. Pharaoh is so impressed by the Hebrew young man, that he appoints Joseph to be Prime Minister of Egypt, second in power only to Pharaoh himself. [16] When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: And his eyes shimmered with intelligence. How can we translate God’s plan for us into practical steps as Joseph did? Each with complete accuracy. [35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. When he told the prisoners that interpretations belong to God, he could add with utmost confidence, "Tell me them [the dreams], I pray you." Then the chief cupbearer brought to his attention a young Hebrew slave whom he met in prison. As soon as Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he began his work in Egypt.”                -Genesis 41:45-46 (MSG). We know so much more and have made so many advances in science and technology, which should help us to be better in figuring what dreams are all about. He assured them: “Do not interpretations belong to God? Still in Prison Jesus said: "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. [2] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And it would be during this moment, that the cupbearer would be reminded about Joseph. After successfully interpreting the dream, Joseph was appointed as second in command over all of Egypt. When this need arose for an answer from God, Joseph must have been happy indeed that he was in a position to get his prayers through. [18] And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: If someone displeased them, he would be put into prison without trial, and perhaps be forgotten for a long time. So Pharaoh awoke. The Interpretation [4] And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. The butler should have been grateful enough to Joseph to try to help him get out. What did Joseph ask the chief butler to do for him? Although he was white as a sheet from lack of sunlight the past 13 years, his calm manner intrigued him. He did not need a constant dialogue with God to realize that. This is the third lesson in a series of 5 about Joseph’s life and the incredible way that God used him to bless his people. Your name shall be Zaphenath-Paneah, for God speaks and He lives! [12] And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: In the second dream was added another terror -- that of the east wind. [13] And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. [5] And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. Joseph interpreted that dream, and his God-given wisdom was so great that Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph paused a moment to let the news soak in. Not only did Joseph interpret the dreams, but he also advised Pharaoh how to avoid devastation in Egypt. Even after such precaution, one tourist said he had breathed enough of that hot air to make it necessary for him to be in a cooler climate several months before he got over the effects of it. DREAMS AND INTERPRETATION. But no one could interpret the vivid scenes that haunted him. (Daniel 1:17) Joseph had an angel appear in his dream warning him to take the baby Jesus and his mother to Egypt to escape Herod’s plan to kill the child. [3] The Egyptians placed a lot of weight on dreams and depended heavily on the men who claimed to be able to interpret them. Most of us won’t be interpreting kings’ dreams anytime soon. “Pharaoh had the same dream twice. F Joseph’s response to their dreams is pretty remarkable and telling of what had been happening in Joseph’s heart. 700 Introduction. [15] For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. My gems are smarter than all the magicians and wise men combined! We should remember Joseph when the odds seem against us in life. None of my friends will know if I sin a little; and it will be much easier to get along with these people if I worship their gods." [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. “No one in all of Egypt can tell me the meaning.”, Joseph looked Pharaoh directly in the eyes and spoke in a quiet, respectful tone. God has told Pharaoh what he’s going to do. [18] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: God will still work his plan, and he can overcome all obstacles. When Pharaoh started to have strange dreams, his advisers couldn’t understand or interpret them. Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. Interpreting dreams in the ancient world was a sophisticated profession involving technical “dream books” that listed elements of dreams and their meanings. This matter is irrevocable, as signified by your recurring dream.”, Incredible. © 2011. The Joseph story was written by someone who knew about it and about Egypt. Joseph encouraged the king to save up food during the years of exceptional plenty to feed the people when the famine came. Thirteen years after his brothers betrayed him, Joseph was brought before the head of Egypt and asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. [22] But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. [23] And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: 3_35J_JOSEPH, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS.doc, 3_35J_JOSEPH, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS.pdf, 03_35JF_JOSEPH, L’INTERPRETE DES SONGES.docx, 03_35JF_JOSEPH, L’INTERPRETE DES SONGES.pdf. It may be that he really had committed a deed worthy of punishment. In prison, Joseph did the work of interpreting dreams for these politically connected individuals. Egyptians were fond of the supernatural and dream interpretations were a clear means to convince them that Joseph was a messenger of God. As the Egyptians realised their living depended on the Nile River they worshiped it as a god. They were known to be able to interpret any dream so the king called them. [17] And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. Credits Text by Jerri Fusch, used here with the kind permission of the author. It was the duty of the chief butler to serve wine to the ruling monarch; and, of course, the baker had charge of all the bread and pastry for the royal table. You are likely to know if your dream is a blessing or a curse to you. [32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Praying against any dream without knowing its spiritual attachment, it could be bad. Genesis 41:1-8 tells us of Pharaoh’s dream and his inability to find someone able to interpret it. 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