Remember where we left Joseph, still in prison and forgotten by the cupbearer. If you haven’t read the previous lessons on Joseph, you may want to. Here’s the link, and they are at the bottom of the page.

Most people would be experiencing some serious disillusionment in this situation. Joseph doesn’t deserve to be in prison, and his friend who already got out has completely forgotten him. He probably starts thinking that even God has abandoned him.

Genesis 41:1-14

1 Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile.

The word full in this verse is JOM, and it means years of prosperity or beneficial years. Joseph spends these two years learning the wisdom and timing of God. He’s learning to trust God and not to question His timing.

Now here is Pharaoh’s dream:

2 And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass.

3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.

4 The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.

5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good.

6 Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.

7 The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.

8 Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

Look at the insecurity of the King of Egypt! Even being the ruler of a great power does not bring security and tranquility of soul!

9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, "I would make mention today of my own offenses. (he remembers his offense; how he has neglected Joseph)

10 "Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker.

11 "We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.

12 "Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream.

13 "And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him."

Pharaoh calls all these learned, wise advisers of his, but that’s not what he needed. He needed a believer who was prepared. No matter how educated or intelligent a person is, he cannot understand the message of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Only a believer who is prepared can take the word of God that they have learned, and apply it to a situation. That’s how you make right decisions! That’s what Joseph does.

Joseph Interprets

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

Notice what’s missing from Joseph’s statement to Pharaoh. There is not a word of resentment about what people have done to him. And there certainly could have been!

God has been preparing Joseph for 14 years. He now has to stand before the ruler of this great kingdom, and represent God before him. And finally, after all the training through adversity and unfair treatment, Joseph is ready to represent God with character and integrity. He gives credit where credit is due.

At this point, who would have looked at Joseph’s life, and thought he was successful? Here’s a man who was sold into slavery at age 17, served Potipher for 9 years, then has been in prison the past 3 years! It looks like God had abandoned him! But the whole time, God was preparing Joseph to be the number two man in all of Egypt. No matter how you think your life is turning out, remember that God has His own perfect timing in mind for you. He is preparing you, {{name}}, to accomplish His will for your life.

1 Peter 5:6

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,