The Book of Genesis
Part 82
Humility Exalted: Chapter 41:17-40
At the close of our last study, we saw Joseph in the presence of Pharaoh disclaiming any personal ability to interpret the dual dream that had so perturbed that monarch of Egypt. It would be improper to pursue our investigations without noticing the great contrast between speculation and revelation, the first is human, the second is divine.
Speculation
The Egyptians placed considerable importance upon astrology and necromancy. They relied upon the speculations of their magicians and wise men. The remarkable powers of those men are clearly demonstrated in the early chapters of the Book of Exodus. When Moses and Aaron performed the God-given miracle of changing the rod into a reptile, we read, “The magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.” True, there was this difference, “Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” Nevertheless, those men were influential at court, and were esteemed for their ability to foretell certain events. Apparently by a system of symbols they attempted from dreams to reveal the occult.
There is a reference to them in the New Testament. The Spirit of God through Paul says, when discussing men of the last days, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobates concerning the faith” (2 Tim. 3:8). One would assume that those ancient magicians had been satanically inspired.
Although they did have remarkable powers and capabilities, there is no doubt that they frequently indulged in chicanery and deceit. At the best their attempts to prophesy were speculative.
Revelation
In contrast to all this, we read, “Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what He is about to do” (V.25). The dreams which had so troubled Pharaoh were of divine origin. When Joseph first entered the presence of Pharaoh, he said, “God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” That statement was an expression of his confident hope in the Lord. God honoured that trust, so that Joseph later was able to speak by authentic revelation. Joseph could have said with Daniel, “He (God) revealeth the deep and secret things” (Dan. 2:22).
The dream was repeated with only variations in the forms, and by that its message was strongly emphasized. Joseph told Pharaoh, “For that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God.”
How gracious of God to reveal His own purpose toward Egypt and the surrounding nations! True, Pharaoh’s knowledge of the divine plan was limited, but he acted upon what he knew. God’s full plan was to bring Jacob and his family into Egypt there to await the time when the iniquity of the Amorites was full (Gen. 15:13-16). With Jacob it may have been a sense of self-preservation that turned him to Egypt for help, but God had plans “to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20). Through the divine warning given to Pharaoh Egypt became the granary of the ancient world.
Provision
It seemed natural that Joseph should add his few words of advice, saying, “Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.” This advice was wisely given for it was based upon divine revelation. It was also given in humility without any self-assumption. Joseph did not then know but that he would be returned to the prison. What could a Hebrew, a slave, a prisoner expect in a foreign court of experienced ministers of state?
It seemed to Pharaoh that Joseph possessed supernatural ability, divine power as well as extraordinary sagacity. “And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Thus the prisoner became the prime minister, with full power to implement a policy that was to govern Egypt for a period of at least fourteen years. God had brought him through almost fourteen years of trials, difficulties, and disappointments to train him for a second fourteen year period of leadership, management, affluence, and statesmanship (Gen. 37:2 and Gen. 41:46 ) .
Remuneration
Circumstances frequently are like the weather, they change suddenly. It was that way in Joseph’s case. He arose one morning from his hard cot as an inmate of the prison, and in the evening of the same day, he retired in comfort as the premier of the nation.
His office: He certainly was not a minister without portfolio. He was not only the head of the government, the next under Pharaoh, but he was the Minister of Food and Supplies.
The signet ring was the symbol of the authority delegated in him. When Alexander the Great was dying he took off his ring and gave it to Perdiccas, for such was the custom. The robe and necklace were indications of rank, the high rank to which Joseph had been exalted. The people quickly accepted him, and cried before him, “Bow the knee,” which in modern language might be expressed by the salutation, “Hail.”
One feels that Joseph as he heard the cry, “Bow the knee,” must have recalled his boyhood dreams and the rebuke of his father in connection with them,
His family: Pharaoh acted promptly to fully naturalize Joseph. He changed his name to Zaphnath-paaneah, a name that has been variously interpreted: “The Revealer of Secrets,” “The Saviour of the World,” “Food for the Living,” etc.
Furthermore, Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife, Asenath the daughter of one of the most important families in Egypt. He thus bound him to the nation by one of the closest possible bonds.
The names of the two baby boys which Asenath bore to Joseph are very significant. They may not have been understood by the public, but they meant much to their father. “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manassah: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” His family naturally would produce in his heart the feeling of permanent residence in Egypt.