1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Genesis 41:1-8 (NASB)
Two years later
Joseph languished in the prison for two more years after interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and baker and seeing them come true. We know that the cupbearer forgot about him (Gen 40:23) but God also used this. The proper time for Joseph to meet Pharaoh was when he also had a dream that Joseph could interpret. Now was that time.
2 Dreams of 7s
Pharaoh has two dreams in succession. And they are both very similar. This was probably a means of confirming that they are similar and indeed will happen. Both involved repetition of the number 7 which probably further confirmed they were genuine and indeed would come to pass. Seven, in the Bible, is a number meaning completion – seven days of creation (Genesis 1), seven times around Jericho (Joshua 6:3–4) and others.
Who can help?
It was common to have magicians and wise men in those days who would advise the King or, in this case, help interpret dreams. We see them when Moses is used by God to bring plagues (Exodus 7:8–13). We see them in the life of Daniel (Daniel 2:24) and even in the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2). So Pharaoh had them.
The magicians and wisemen were not able to interpret the dreams. Consider: Not knowing the interpretation we’ll see tomorrow, I wonder how you would interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. Add in the pressure that it better be correct or you’ll probably at least end up in prison like the baker and cupbearer, or even killed.
RЯeflection
- When we feel like we’re stuck in a situation and wonder where God is and when we’ll get out, take courage. If we are serving the Lord and seeking Him, He is working. Part of how He is working is developing patience in us. Reflect on James 1:2-4: “2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
- And Psalm 46:1-2: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea”.
