Genesis 41:1-56
Midweek Lent 4
✠ In the name of Jesus ✠
Dreams play an important role in the lives of both the Joseph of the Old Testament and the Joseph of the New Testament (Mt 1-2). In fact there are three times for each of them when dreams are pivotal in how God accomplishes His good and gracious will. These dreams are given by God for the deliverance of Israel and of the whole world through Jesus.
In today’s reading Joseph is finally remembered by the cupbearer as one who can interpret dreams. Finally Joseph will arise out of prison. In order to come before Pharaoh, Joseph must be cleansed and clothed. The same thing is true of us who by nature are in bondage to Satan and the grave. In order to come before the Father in heaven we must be cleansed in the waters of baptism and clothed in Christ (Gal. 3:27). Only then can we enter God’s presence.
Joseph knows that it is only by the grace of God that he lives and stands before Pharaoh. And so he takes no honor for himself but honors God alone as the One who will give the interpretation. Joseph said, “The answer is not in me” (v. 16). So also we know that the answers we seek and the source of our help is not in us. We do not look within for wisdom or meaning or guidance; for there is nothing in us but sin and death, from which we cannot set ourselves free (Cf. Mt. 15:19). It is only in what God reveals to us in His Word, the Holy Scriptures, that we find true wisdom and understanding and the life-giving help we need. For there God reveals Himself fully to us in His Son (John 1:18).
Skinny cows eat fat cows; blighted grain devours good grain. Joseph’s interpretation of these dreams reveals that there will be abundance in Egypt followed by a famine that will completely wipe out any memory of the time of plenty. Isn’t that how it always is in this fallen world? Good times are followed and trampled over by bad; sorrow swallows up joy, causing it to fly away like a dream (Ps. 90:5). But Jesus reverses this for His people. First there is death, then there is life. First there is the cross and affliction, then there is the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come. Therefore, as Joseph advised the storing up of grain, we are exhorted to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:20). For these gifts of Christ are the only thing that can save us during the famine of death. It may seem unnecessary to continually treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts when all is going well, but when the mortal east winds blow, only the saving words of Jesus will matter. For He said, “heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Lk. 21:33).
It’s worth noting the time frame of Joseph’s imprisonment and release. He was in captivity two entire years (41:1), and then in the third year, Joseph experiences the joy of being raised up and brought out of prison. His patient endurance in suffering is vindicated, and He is honored and exalted in Pharaoh’s presence. In this we see a picture of Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Though Jesus suffered innocently and unjustly, yet after two days, on the third day He was raised up in honor and glory. In the same way that they called out before Joseph, “Bow the knee!” (v. 43) so God the Father has highly exalted Jesus, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (Phil. 2:9-10). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matt. 28:18).
As we live in Christ day by day, we also are given to walk with patient endurance in the midst of suffering or persecution. The Lord says to His churches in the book of Revelation, “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake” (Rev. 2:3). Jesus does not forget those who are baptized in His name, who trust in Him. We see this in the names that are given to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jesus is with us as we take up the cross and follow Him, making us fruitful in our affliction–Ephraim (41:52; Gal. 5:22-23). And He is working all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28), so that in the end we will forget our hardship–Manasseh (41:51). “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him” (Hos. 6:2). Because you are in Christ, there’s never a reason for you to give up hope.
Finally, seeing Joseph’s wisdom and discernment, Pharaoh recognizes that the Spirit of God is in him. Joseph is given to store up and distribute grain not only to the Egyptians but to all the earth that comes to him in hunger. In a much greater way, the Spirit of the Lord rests upon Jesus, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Is. 11:2). He has been anointed to preach good news to the poor who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Lk. 4:18; Matt. 5:6), to satisfy them with the very Bread of Life. Christ is our Joseph, freely pouring forth His forgiveness on all the nations who come to Him as beggars. Regarding both Joseph and Jesus the people were told, “Whatever He says to you, do it” (Gen. 41:55, John 2:5). God grant us all, then, to faithfully receive the life-giving grain of the Gospel. And let us also serve as the instruments of Christ and bestow the treasures of His storehouses to a starving world.
✠ In the name of Jesus ✠