"So Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.'" Genesis 41:41
Two years after Joseph had interpreted dreams for the king's cupbearer and baker, Pharaoh had two dreams which troubled him. In the morning he sent for the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams, but no one could tell him their meaning.
Have you ever had a creepy, crawly feeling that you have done something wrong or failed to do something you should have done? The cupbearer realized he had ignored Joseph's plea for help and forgotten about him altogether. But when he heard about Pharaoh's dreams, he said, "I am reminded of my shortcomings." Genesis 41:9b. What do you and I do when we are reminded of our shortcomings? The cupbearer confessed his negligence and tried to make up for what he had not done. He told Pharaoh about Joseph and how he had interpreted his and the baker's dreams while they were in prison.
Pharaoh sent for Joseph. When the next step of God's plan for Joseph's life began to unfold, Pharaoh's servants knew just where to look for Joseph. God had made it easy for Joseph to be found.
Pharaoh told Joseph that he had heard Joseph could interpret dreams. Joseph gave God all the credit, saying, "I cannot do it...but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.", from Genesis 41:16. Apart from God we can do nothing.
In Pharaoh's first dream he saw seven fat cows and then seven skinny, scrawny cows who ate up the fat cows. Then he saw seven full, good heads of grain and then seven thin, withered heads of grain, which ate up the good, full heads of grain. Joseph said the two dreams had the same meaning. The fat cows and the full heads of grain were seven years of plenty, with good crops and bountiful harvests. The seven thin cows and the seven thin, withered heads of grain were seven years of famine which would follow the years of abundance. Then Joseph advised Pharaoh to find a wise man to be in charge of storing up grain during the years of plenty so there would be food during the years of famine.
Pharaoh could have resented being advised by this Hebrew lad and ignored what he said, but he was wise enough and open enough to listen. More than that, he realized that God was with Joseph and was directing him, so they wouldn't be able to find anyone wiser. Then Pharaoh promoted Joseph to the second most powerful person in Egypt. Suddenly, the reasons for all the unjust treatment Joseph had endured made sense. God was preparing Joseph for this great responsibility. And now God was rewarding His servant for his constant faith and obedience.
What do you need to trust God for? Ask God to help you trust Him through any challenges or difficulties that arise in your life.
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