Genesis 41

Joseph is back at it again, this time interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh.

¹⁵ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” ¹⁶ Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Genesis 41:15-16, ESV

A truth that becomes increasingly evident with each chapter of Joseph’s story is that God is at work. Yesterday, we read in our devotional that God is in fact the central character in Joseph’s story. This is clear even in Joseph’s own words in verse 16. Because of God’s work through him, Joseph is rewarded by the Pharaoh, set over the land of Egypt and named second only to Pharaoh himself. But the scale of God’s provision in this chapter extends far beyond just a cool new job for Joseph. The correct interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams helped prepare Egypt and all the earth for a coming famine.

⁵⁶ So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

Genesis 41:56-57, ESV

God was able to do great things through Joseph. Maybe His plan isn’t for us to interpret dreams and become buddies with a powerful ruler, but He does have a plan for us. Like Joseph, we may have opportunities to give glory to the central character in our story. May we all choose to say “It’s not me; it’s God.”