The Dreams of Pharaoh
Read Genesis 40:1–41:36. How are the dreams of Pharaoh related to
the dreams of the officers? What is the significance of this parallel?
The providential character of the events continues. Over time, Joseph
is put in charge of the prisoners, two of whom happen to be former
officers of Pharaoh, a butler and a baker (Gen. 41:9–11). They are
both troubled by dreams that they cannot understand, because “there
is no interpreter” (Gen. 40:8). Joseph, then, interprets their respective
dreams.
In a parallel to the two officers’ dreams, Pharaoh also has two
dreams, which no one can interpret (Gen. 41:1–8). At that moment
the butler providentially remembers Joseph and recommends him to
Pharaoh (Gen. 41:9–13).
In a parallel to the other dreams, Pharaoh, like the officers, is trou-
bled, and, like them, reveals his dreams (Gen. 41:14–24), and Joseph
interprets them. Like the officers’ dreams, Pharaoh’s dreams display
parallels of symbols: the two series of seven cows (fat and gaunt) just
as the two series of heads of grain (plump and thin) represent two series
of years, one good and one bad. The seven cows parallel the seven
heads of grain, repeating the same message, an evidence of their divine
origin, just like Joseph’s dreams (Gen. 41:32; compare with Gen. 37:9).
Though Joseph is the one who interpreted the dream for Pharaoh,
Joseph makes certain that Pharaoh knows that it was God, Elohim,
who showed the king the things that He, God, was going to do (Gen.
41:25, 28). It seems, too, that Pharaoh got the message because, when
he decided to appoint someone to be over the land, his argument was
as follows:
“ ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as dis-
cerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people
shall be ruled according to your word’ ” (Gen. 41:39, 40, NKJV).
How fascinating: thanks to God, Joseph goes from ruler over
Potiphar’s house to ruler over the prison to ruler over all of Egypt. What
a powerful story about how, even amid what look like terrible circum-
stances, God’s providences are revealed.
How can we learn to trust God and cling to His promises when
events don’t appear providential at all, and indeed, God seems
silent?
