Living Room Study

Genesis 41

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, ’I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it.  But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.’  ‘I am not able to,’ Joseph answered Pharaoh.  ‘It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’”  Genesis 41:15-16

I believe some clarification may be needed to help us appreciate the dynamics if this verbal exchange between Joseph and Pharaoh. First off, in Egyptian culture Pharaoh was considered to be a god. Not only was he thought to be a god among gods. It was assumed he was the central deity, the “God of gods” so to speak.

Not only was it uncommon for a prisoner/slave to exchange words with this ”deity”, but notice Joseph’s casual banter, as he is basically schooling Pharaoh. Joseph’s message, that God would provide the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, indirectly exposed something maybe only Pharaoh himself knew: Pharaoh was no god; he was only a man. If Pharaoh was “God above all gods”, why couldn’t he interpret his own dreams? Furthermore, wouldn’t any “god” Pharaoh consulted assume authority over him…proving he wasn’t the “God of gods”?

We live in an era where image is everything. The basic celebrity promotions game is summed up like this: Spotlight the good and conceal the bad. Joseph deflected praise that would have elevated his image in the eyes of the Egyptians. Perhaps, he learned a lesson from his brothers’ response to the coat of many colors. Joseph understood that image only gets you so far, but the Lord can sustain and exalt beyond human circumstances.

Eventually, all men must produce results to back-up their images. Put another way, talk is cheap. Joseph knew that men are unable to interpret prophetic dreams. Only God can explain the prophecy to them, because only God gives true prophetic messages.

What can we learn from Joseph today? 1) God has a plan for you, and it may involve unjust opposition and suffering. 2) Despite our circumstance, we are still required to act with humility, wisdom, and integrity. 3) Never assume God will respond to your requests in any particular way, even when you entreat Him with your whole heart.

We can only assume the facts: God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and His character never changes.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins