Several months ago, I began this series of blreogs on “Biblical Promises” in Genesis, not knowing where it would take us and what we would discover about God along the way. During this trek, I’ve often been reminded that I belong to an awesome God who loves me and has patiently worked through imperfect human instruments to keep His promise to provide a Savior for me and all who will believe.
Today, we will revisit the marvelous story of Joseph and the part he played in God’s plan to save Israel and ultimately to provide Jesus as the savior of all mankind. However, before doing that, let’s step back from some of these details to view the “big picture” of what is happening.
Studying the Bible can be like working a large box puzzle with hundreds of little pieces that, when put together, duplicate the “big picture” on the top of the box. We look at the picture often to see how and where the pieces fit.
Where does this incident involving Joseph and Pharaoh “fit’ in the “big picture” of God’s plan? God has preserved and provided the Bible as a record of stories and teachings that tell us what God has done to save us, how we are to live, His plan to restore Eden, and our eternal future with Him.
Here are two links to earlier blogs to remind you how Joseph fits into God’s plan. This link will take you back to God’s promise of a savior. https://www.cosdavis.com/gods-second-promise/ This link will take you to the beginning of the nation of Israel and God’s promise to bless the world through it. https://www.cosdavis.com/gods-promise-to-abram/
Joseph was Abraham’s great-grandson, the progenitor of the Hebrew race. Abraham died, but God’s promise lives on, and He chose Joseph to play a vital role in His plan to keep the promise.
We know God sometimes performs miracles to advance His plan. Ordinarily, He gets His work done through providence. What is providence, you may ask? Providence is God using ordinary events and circumstances of life to further His purposes. The story of Joseph is an example of providence; God provided and orchestrated events to place Joseph where he needed to be at a specific time in His plan to save Israel. God knew the future and worked in everything to get Joseph to Egypt before the famine occurred.
Think about this. Joseph had a dream when he was seventeen. He was sold into slavery and brought to Egypt. He served Potiphar until he was put in prison at age twenty-eight. In prison, he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer. The cupbearer remembers his promise to Joseph two years later when Pharaoh has two dreams and tells him about Joseph. Coincidence? No way.
Let’s take the next step in God’s providential care for Israel and the plan to bring our savior into the world. As you will see, there are no “miracles” here, but God works in everyday circumstances to accomplish His plan.
We resume the story in Genesis 41:25-27 with Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams.
“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows and the seven good heads are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: they are seven years of famine.'”
While he has Pharaoh’s undivided attention, he ventures to tell him what he needs to do to save his country from impending starvation. The Pharaoh hasn’t asked for this advice, but Joseph’s presence and confidence in what he was saying must have been very convincing. Joseph proposed that Pharaoh find a “discerning and wise man” to oversee the collecting and storing of one-fifth of the food harvests during the good years so the country would not be ruined by the seven years of famine. Genesis 41:33-36.
Can you imagine the look on Pharaoh’s face as he listened to Joseph’s suggestion? What does Pharaoh do? He turns to his court officials and asks, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38. Pharaoh looks at this young man who has come to him from prison and says, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:40
Joseph has been a slave in Egypt since his dream at age seventeen. He served Potiphar for eleven years before he was put in prison. While in prison, he interpreted the dreams of two men whom Pharaoh had imprisoned. Two years later, Pharaoh has a disturbing dream that none of his wise men can interpret. Now, he comes before Pharaoh, interprets his dream, and is put in a position of power. What is God up to?
How have you see God’s providence working in specific ways in your life?