Sunday, February 7, 2010

Genesis 40 is about God interpreting dreams through Joseph, first for two men in prison with him. These two men were the Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, but had angered Pharaoh and were put in prison. Joseph interpreted the cupbearers dream and then said to him, " when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison". Then Joseph also interpreted the meaning of the baker's dream, that he would soon be hung on a tree. Though Joseph interpreted both dreams correctly, even the cupbearer did not remember Joseph. Later though, in Genesis 41, when nobody could help interpret the Pharaoh's dreams, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and brought him before Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret the dreams, he said "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Joseph then told Pharaoh that the dreams meant there would be seven years of famine in the future and that food should be stored during the times of plenty. The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and he said, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you... I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Pharaoh gave Joseph also Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, to be his wife and before the famine came they had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Joseph said, "God has made me forget all my trouble... and God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." When the famine had spread, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grain, and all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph.