Gen. 41:1-16, Joseph vs. the wise men of Egypt

So the question is: why couldn’t the wise men of Egypt come up with something?  Couldn’t they at least “make something up” so they wouldn’t lose face with Pharaoh?  Or, maybe, they had integrity and just didn’t have an answer?  But here are a few observations on this episode.

·       41:8: I am sure the wise men of Egypt were reluctant to interpret a dream that might not end up well for Pharaoh.  Remember that in the two dreams it’s good times first and then bad times.

·       Furthermore, the wise men of Egypt may not have appreciated the fact of the God of Creation who made and owns the cattle, who makes grain grow.  Cattle and crops serve the Creator. 

·       41:9-13: Joseph, as a man of God, was able to interpret dreams with good and bad endings.  He told the truth.  And, yes, Joseph was a man of God (41:16).

·       41:19: Another difficulty the wise men of Egypt may have had was that Egypt had a reputation of being a “bread basket” nation, thanks, to a great degree, because of the Nile River.  Thus, Pharaoh’s standing as a “god” was tied to this.  Seven gaunt cows and seven lean years is a challenge to Pharaoh’s deity.

·       41:33: “Now therefore.”  This is extra, more than just interpreting dreams.  If, as I believe is the case, Joseph hung on to his own dreams, his own word of the LORD, is it possible that at this point he had seen where, finally, God was fulfilling the promise that he would rule over his family?  Or is Joseph simply a man of wisdom, who knows how things work and what Pharaoh should do?

·       41:50-52: There is no indication Joseph ever came to a point of doubting God!  I know, we don’t know all the details of the story.  But it is clear that for Joseph, dreams were the way God revealed His word in that time.  Even to Pharaoh!

Let me also make a few brief observations on Gen. 43.  If you check out June of 2015 in our blog you will find more detailed coverage of the life of Joseph.

·       42:13,21: Look at God, working in the brothers.  Nobody had to tell them.  God worked through their consciences.  “One is no more.”  “We are guilty concerning Joseph.”  The nice thing is that Joseph is hearing and seeing this happen.  Sure enough, he did not have to be bitter or vengeful against his brothers.  He could be patient and God would do the work.

·       42:36: Jacob had heard Joseph’s dreams, but having been told he was dead, he was no longer holding to God’s word.  This is a BIG growing time for Jacob.

·       Another question is: why didn’t the brothers make the connection?  The answer is: because they rejected “the word.”  They ridiculed the dreams.  Am I growing through my life trials?  Jacob, Judah & Joseph all did, via different paths.  Reuben, not so much.  Am I?!