Joseph: Prepared by God (Part 2)

After two years, Pharaoh had two dreams. In the morning, his mind was troubled, and he sent for the magicians of Egypt to interpret them (Gen. 41:8). Yet no one could, once again emphasizing that “interpretations belong to God” (Gen. 40:8).

Soon the cupbearer recalled his experience in prison with Joseph, who was quickly summoned. He shaved and changed his clothes—pointing to his humble spirit of respect—and came before Pharaoh.

When the king asked whether he could interpret dreams, Joseph did not complain. He was humble and did not put his confidence in his own ability or insight but prayed to God. He recognized that being called to Pharaoh’s court was not for him to plead his case. His responsibility in the moment was to do what was asked of him, and even then he declared that only God could give Pharaoh the answer (Gen. 41:16).

Not only did he interpret the dream, describing how Egypt would experience seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine; he offered a solution. He counseled Pharaoh to look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of Egypt (Gen. 41:33, 36).

As it turned out, Pharaoh decided to exalt Joseph of all people and place him in a position of authority over both the palace and people of Egypt (Gen. 41:40). Talk about the unexpected.

Pharaoh gave to him his signet ring, robes of linen, and a gold chain for his neck, all articles symbolizing a transfer of authority. This can be seen during Esther’s time in Persia (Est. 3:10, 6:11) as well as in Daniel (Dan. 5:7, 16) and gave meaning to Pharaoh’s decree. These items weren’t just gifts but symbolic evidence of Pharaoh’s favor and Joseph’s status in Egypt.

Suddenly, Joseph found himself as second-in-command in a nation to which he had come just thirteen years earlier as a slave. Pharaoh chose his bride, and Joseph’s enduring connection to God was clear in his naming of Ephraim, his second son: “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering” (Gen. 41:52).

When the seven years of famine came, and the people cried to Pharaoh, he directed them to Joseph, and whole nations came to Egypt to buy grain from him (Gen. 41:57). He had practiced resourcefulness, responsibility, and diligent and honorable service with Potiphar and the prison warden. God had prepared him, and his rise to power, though unexpected, was not accidental.

While Joseph’s desire to honor God seemed to only cause him to suffer at the hands of others’ greed and manipulation, God used these experiences to shape Joseph for a position of national leadership. He interpreted two dreams in prison, leading him to Pharaoh’s court to interpret the two dreams of the king, who in turn granted him such power as to fulfill Joseph’s own two dreams.

From prison to power and prestige, Joseph began ruling Egypt, operating a complex yet efficient food program to ensure the country would survive. Each event leading to this point had taught him to serve humbly in respecting and seeking the welfare of his authority (Gen. 46). Whatever his responsibility—under Potiphar, under the chief jailer, or under Pharaoh—he performed with excellence, and God blessed him.

Joseph knew how to be resourceful, which enabled him to become a strategic ruler. He was a compassionate leader, and he made the most of each opportunity (Gen. 40:14). From a naïve, spoiled favorite—through slavery, injustice, and prison—Joseph had risen to become a wise, perceptive leader.

All in all, Joseph had an enviable career, although his rise to power is not presented as the climax of the story. The Joseph narrative is not only about Joseph but Israel as a nation, and from this perspective his calling becomes clearer through an unexpected reunion.