Hello! Welcome to today’s bible study on Genesis 41 where we will read about Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. According to Bible scholars, the events of Genesis 41 took place in 1886 B.C. – 1875 B.C. approximately.
I encourage you to turn to Genesis 41 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Genesis 41. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. No one else can teach you better than the Holy Spirit Himself. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In the Bible Study on Genesis 40, we read about Joseph interpreting the dreams of the chief officers of Pharaoh in the prison. The chief officers were the chief baker and chief butler of which one was executed and the other was restored to his former position according to the interpretation of their dreams by Joseph in the prison. In today’s Bible study on Genesis 41 we will read about the events that took place that brought Joseph before the Pharaoh and his rise to power in Egypt.
Backstory on Genesis 40
While Joseph was serving a prison sentence in the dungeons, Pharaoh’s chief officers – the chief butler and baker were also imprisoned and they both dreamt dreams which Joseph interpreted. He said that within 3 days the butler would be returned to his former position whereas the chief baker would be executed. Joseph asked the chief butler to remember him and speak about him to Pharaoh when he was restored to his position. Three days later, Joseph’s interpretations came true. But the chief butler forgot about Joseph and didn’t mention him to Pharaoh.
Without any further delay, let us study together Genesis Chapter 41, shall we?
Genesis 41 Summary
After two full years following the restoration of the chief butler to his position, Pharaoh had a dream. In the dream, he saw seven fine-looking, fat cows coming out of the river and feeding in the meadow. Then, seven ugly cows came out of the river and stood by the other cows on the river bank. The ugly cows ate up the fine-looking, fat cows. Pharaoh awoke from this dream, slept again, and dreamt a second time. This time, he saw seven heads of plump grain coming up on one stalk, followed by seven thin heads of grain that swallowed up the plump and full heads. When Pharaoh woke up again, he realized that it was a dream.
No magician in Egypt was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. The chief butler remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh how Joseph had interpreted dreams for him and the baker, and how both interpretations had come to pass. Consequently, Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. Pharaoh told Joseph that there was no one to interpret his dreams, but he had heard about Joseph’s ability to interpret them.
Joseph gave credit to God for dream interpretation and said that God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Pharaoh explained his dream to Joseph. Joseph told Pharaoh that both his dreams are one and that God has shown Pharaoh what He was about to do. The seven good cows and seven good grains represent seven years of plenty, and the seven ugly cows and grains represent seven years of famine. When the famine arises, the plenty would be forgotten, and the famine will deplete the land, for it will be very severe. The dream was repeated twice because it was established by God, and God would shortly bring it to pass.
Joseph gave Pharaoh the solution and suggested appointing a discerning and wise man to be in charge of Egypt. He also recommended appointing officers to collect one-fifth of the produce during the seven plentiful years and store the grain in the cities. This reserve would then be available during the years of famine to prevent the land from perishing.
Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph’s advice and recognized that no one had the spirit of God in him like Joseph. As a result, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of his house and people, making him second only to the throne. Pharaoh praised Joseph for his discernment and wisdom, and gave him his signet ring, royal garments, and a gold chain. Joseph was also given a chariot to ride in, and people were instructed to bow down to him. Pharaoh declared that no one in Egypt could lift a hand or foot without Joseph’s consent. Pharaoh also changed Joseph’s name to Zaphnath Paaneah and gave him Asenath as his wife. Joseph had authority over all of Egypt.
Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh. He went throughout Egypt and collected grain in the seven plentiful years. He collected so much grain that it was immeasurable. Two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph before the famine arrived. The seven years of plenty ended, and seven years of famine arrived, and people cried for food. Pharaoh told them to go to Joseph and do what he told them to do. Joseph sold to the Egyptians, and the famine became severe in Egypt and all over the earth. All countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain because the famine was severe in all the lands.
Genesis 41 Commentary
1. Genesis 41:16
Joseph credited God for interpreting dreams through him. He didn’t boast about his abilities or exalt himself above God. Instead, he remained humble before God and did not blame God even when he was a slave for 13 years.
2. Genesis 41:32
The dream was given to Pharaoh twice by God to confirm it and to bring it to pass within a short period of time. When God repeats Himself through words or through dreams, He does it to confirm it for us and to warn us that it would come to pass shortly. Even though Pharaoh was worshipping pagan gods, God still had mercy not just for Pharaoh’s sake, but for all the nations that would affected during the famine.
3. Genesis 41:33-36
It wasn’t just Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams that propelled him to power; it was his problem-solving skills. He offered a solution to a looming crisis, and it wasn’t based solely on his own wisdom; it was a divinely inspired solution. Joseph didn’t seek to make himself the leader; he remained humble, and it was Pharaoh who chose him to be the leader. In essence, God orchestrated events that led Pharaoh to select Joseph as the second-in-command in Egypt.
Revelation
According to Psalm 8:5, God has placed humanity just a little lower than the angels. The angels in this verse and context here refers to God Himself (Elohim in Hebrew), signifying that we are second only to God. Similarly, Joseph was appointed second only to Pharaoh. As believers, we hold authority on earth just as Joseph did in Egypt. We possess the divine authority symbolized by the signet ring of God – the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. God worked through Joseph to offer a divine solution to the looming crisis to save nations and people. Similary, with the authority in the name of Jesus and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have the power to offer solutions to the world’s problems so that creation can experience God’s goodness through us.
4. Genesis 41:41-46
Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh. He was sold into slavery when he was 17 years old. Thirteen years had passed in affliction as a slave. We might have seen stories of rags to riches on television, but here is the story of slave to master. The very people who hated Hebrews now put a Hebrew, a Jew named Joseph, in power, and all Egyptians were to bow the knee to Joseph when his chariot passed by. They were to obey what he said if they wanted to survive the famine. He didn’t exalt himself for dream interpretation nor did he complain, or blame God for his circumstances. Instead, he was faithful to God, gave God all the glory, and God exalted him through the various situations and circumstances.
Genesis 41 Lessons
1. God will prepare you for your assignment with many small tasks
Don’t despise small beginnings, because those small beginnings are preparation ground for bigger responsibilities and your assignment on earth. Joseph was given charge over Potiphar’s household first. He had the responsibility to handle all the house administration affairs and the slaves. Then he was falsely blamed and put in prison, where he was given authority to handle the prisoners. God was preparing him for greater responsibility and authority. If he didn’t know how to handle resources (money, food and slaves) in Potiphar’s house and prisoners in prison, how would he handle an entire nation?
2. Don’t rush God’s timing
Also, God interpreted dreams for the baker and the butler through Joseph in order to bring him before Pharaoh. However, the chief butler forgot to mention Joseph to Pharaoh. Two years passed, and Joseph was still in the dungeon. But in a single day, he was promoted and stood before Pharaoh. God made the chief butler remember Joseph.
Similarly, no matter the trials you face, know that God can exalt you in a single day. It could seem like nothing is moving or nothing is working out. But, much patience is required and much trust in God is required so that God could bring to pass things in our lives in His timing.
3. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it around for your good
Therefore, if you are struggling, remember Joseph. He endured without complaining and always gave glory to God for every dream interpretation he did. If we behave like Joseph under trials, then God will bring about circumstances to exalt us. When we are wronged, we are not to complain, but seek God about it. In due time, He will exalt us. Joseph suffered for 13 years, but those 13 years were Joseph’s training time to handle money, resources (Potiphar’s household), and human resources, which gave him enough experience to stand before Pharaoh. He was well-prepared to handle things by the age of 30.
4. Seek God’s wisdom so that you can provide Godly solutions
The solution that Joseph provided was what propelled him to power and authority. We should be solution-oriented, not relying solely on our own efforts but on God’s wisdom. It’s crucial to cultivate a relationship with Him so that He can show us how to tackle problems. The Lord loves you, but He also loves people. Therefore, your purpose is not just for your own benefit, but for the welfare of others, aiming to reach as many people as possible for His kingdom. This is what God did with Joseph. Even though Joseph attained power, it was for a purpose – to store up grains during the abundant years so that nations and people wouldn’t perish during the famine, including his brothers who betrayed him. We should remove ourselves from the equation and consider what we can do for others.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study lesson on Genesis 41. I hope you enjoyed this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it with others. Also, share your thoughts about it and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about Genesis 41. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
What are your thoughts about Genesis 41?
Until next time!