Researchers tell us that we may have several dreams nightly in our deep sleep cycle. Most mornings, I have no recollection of having any dreams. Sometimes, I remembered enough details to realize that the dreams were a jumble of different issues I tried to work out in my sleep. There have been times when a dream has pointed to an anxiety or worry about a particular situation. Sometimes a dream helps me discover what’s going on in my subconscious and enables me to address the challenge in my “conscious” life.
I have had one or two “God-Dreams” that were clear and directional. Taking these “God- Dreams” seriously has encouraged me and changed my life. Have you had a “God-Dream?”
Joseph was a dreamer and an interpreter of dreams. He was seventeen when he had a God-Dream, a startling revelation that predicted his future and assured him of God’s care when things went bad for him. Although he didn’t know the details, he understood enough to realize God had a plan for him. His God-dreams must have been a great source of encouragement and hope during the thirteen years of slavery. How often did he recall the dreams as he called on God for help? The following is likely to have been recycled in his mind many times.
“We were building sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” Genesis 37:7
“The sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Genesis 37:9
In addition to having his personal God-Dream, God gave Joseph the ability to interpret the God-Dreams of others. As you will see, this gift will be used to fulfill the very dream God gave him when he was seventeen. In last week’s blog https://www.cosdavis.com/the-lord-was-with-joseph/, Joseph used this gift to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, whom Pharaoh had imprisoned. Do you remember Joseph’s response to their complaint that no one could interpret their dreams? He credited God for what he was about to do for them, ” Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” Genesis 40:8
The outcome was just as Joseph said, and they were released three days later on Pharaoh’s birthday. The baker was killed, and the cupbearer was reinstated to his job. But things did not go as Joseph had wished. The cupbearer failed to “remember him” to Pharaoh, and Joseph remained in prison until Pharaoh had a God-Dream that none of his officials or wise men could interpret. Isn’t God’s timing amazing?
Pharaoh’s God-Dreams occur after Joseph had been imprisoned for two years. ” When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream.” Genesis 41:1. How important were Pharaoh’s dreams? As you will discover, they relate to a potential disaster for Egypt and Joseph’s family and are the link to the fulfillment of Joseph’s God-Dreams thirteen years ago.
Here are Pharaoh’s dreams:
“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 them on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows.” Genesis 41:1-4.
Pharaoh woke up, fell asleep again, and had a similar dream.
“Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted-thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads.” Genesis 41:5-7.
When the cupbearer saw that the magicians and wise men could not interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, he told him how Joseph had interpreted his and the baker’s dreams. Joseph was summoned, and Pharaoh said, ” 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.” Genesis 41:15.
Pharaoh seems to emphasize Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, ” I have heard it said of you…When you hear a dream, you can interpret it.” But how does Joseph reply? ” I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16. What does this say about Joseph’s character? What does it imply about how God has molded and prepared him for the task that is about to open immediately before him?
Do you serve the God of Joseph? How has He worked in the challenges and disappointments of your life to prepare you for your next adventure?