Joseph’s interpretation
of Pharaoh’s dreams was so God-centred. He had made known that Elohim would be the
source of his interpretation. He began by saying to Pharaoh that the dreams
Pharaoh had were sent from God, who wanted to make known to the king what would
take place. Then he repeatedly made known that God was making this known to
Pharaoh so he could act accordingly. We see that in verse 28, where he paused in
between his interpretation, to say, “It is as I have spoken to
Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do.” And again in verse 32, he
said in no uncertain term that God was in all these. He said, “Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is
determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about.” Why was
Joseph doing this? He was declaring to both the Pharaoh and the Egyptians that the
Sovereign God was in control and their lives were in God’s hand.
The dreams that came in a pair
to Pharaoh indicated the certainty of what was going to happen. First there
would be seven years of great abundance and plenty in Egypt. These were represented
by the seven fat cows and seven ears. Then there would appear seven years of
famine. The severity would be to such a degree which the land had not
experienced before. The seven years of famine would cause all the plenty of the
land to be forgotten. What Joseph had said to Pharaoh in essence was that the king
himself had no control over the future. In what’s coming he would not have the ability
to stop it. Joseph boldly made known to Pharaoh that everything that would
happen would be entirely in God’s hand and not in Pharaoh’s. Kings do not make history,
they are instruments of God to effect history, to bring about His plan and will.
We can see Joseph had great administrative
insight. He not only interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he gave him a plan and what
ought to be done in preparation for the years of famine. He gave the details in
verses 33-36. He told Pharaoh to look for a man who was discerning
and wise, and to set him over the land of Egypt. Next Pharaoh should appoint overseers in charge of the land.
Everyone in the land must contribute 20 percent of their produce and take them
to a centralize store in their cities during the seven years of abundance. All
the stores in the different cities would then come under Pharaoh’s authority
and be protected. The accumulated harvest would be the nation’s reserve during
the seven years of famine and lack. They will be used to sustain the people so
that they would not perish during the famine.
Where did
Joseph get all the wisdom? Obviously it came from God. How to have such kind of
wisdom? The answer is equally obvious. It’s found in being connected to God. It
is in discovering what God want to do in our world today. Joseph’s life serves
as a call for us to stay connected to God, to seek to know Him and His plan for
us, and the community we are placed in. When we know what God wants done, we
can no longer stay passive but to take active steps to move toward living out
His purpose. The fact that our future are in God’s hand calls for devoted
action. God’s plan is all about the redemption of mankind. The church we belong
to is God’s redemptive agency. Being a member of it, we have become His redemptive
agents. Hence we must pray, participate and contribute toward this end. Remember,
our calling is not just to touch His Kingdom but to enlarge it. And we cannot
do so by being uninvolved in church life. Start now and be involved in the
ministry of the Church! God is calling!
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