What is this? A request from the palace to interpret dreams
for Pharaoh? What’s the catch? Interpreting dreams for a couple of Pharaoh’s
staff had borne no fruit, why should this be different?
Well, for one thing they were headed for Pharaoh's palace. This required Joseph be “cleaned
up” to be as presentable as possible to Pharaoh. While Joseph’s “handlers” were prepping him
for the trip, they just happened to let him know none of Egypt’s wise men or magicians could interpret Pharaoh's dreams;
for this, Joseph would need to be on “top of his game”.
From prison to Pharaoh’s court, from slave to interpreting
dreams and counseling Pharaoh—this was the stuff of dreams. Doubtless, it had not happened before; it certainly hasn't since.
The butler probably introduced Joseph to Pharaoh with a sheepish/apologetic
look toward Joseph. But his
forgetfulness of Joseph need not be cause for embarrassment inasmuch as all these persons
were subject to God who had a plan which required ready
availability of Joseph at precisely the right moment. How could this be better achieved than for
Joseph to have been kept ready in prison?
Pharaoh recounts his dreams to Joseph. No problems here. After making it clear to Pharaoh that God had
the answer for these dreams, Joseph buzzed through the interpretation of both
of them—indicating they were one and the same and “repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and
God will shortly bring it to pass” (Gen. 41:32).
And with hardly a pause for breath, Joseph launched into a
series of steps Pharaoh needed to take to deal with the 7 years of famine that
would follow 7 years of plenty.
Joseph’s assessment of the situation seemed so wise Pharaoh “hired
him on the spot”, with no courtiers objecting.
Pharaoh didn’t just “hire” Joseph, he made him his 2nd in
command throughout all Egypt. It was a thing done in sight of all the
people. “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of
Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s
hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his
neck. And he had him ride in the second
chariot which he had; and they cried before him, ‘Bow the knee!’” (Gen.
41:41-43). This initial tour included a
quick, ceremonial trip around the city, with a special stop at Potiphar’s
place at city’s edge. Here, Joseph
thanked Potiphar for his kindness and by a nod forgave Potiphar’s wife as she knelt.
Joseph’s exaltation possibly reached its zenith with a
Pharaoh-arranged marriage to the daughter of the Priest of On, possibly the No.
2 family in all of Egypt, after Pharaoh’s house.
As Joseph was administrating his way through Pharaoh’s dreams, he wondered
about his-were they of God? He had
thought so, but what of his brothers bowing down to him? Meanwhile, he contented himself with
reflections on how God had kept him and lifted him out of prison.
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