Genesis 41 Lesson: Forgetful & Fruitful-The Rise of Joseph

Bible Study Series: Joseph, Jesus and You

Genesis 41 Lesson: Forgetful & Fruitful - The Rise of Joseph

by I Gordon

When we left our friend Joseph, he was alone in prison. He had interpreted the two dreams of his two fellow inmates, the baker and cupbearer, with one being freed and one executed. There was restoration and judgment and we saw that these two men represent the fate of all of humanity. So while these two dreams were fulfilled, Joseph's own dreams were not. But as we shall see, even when events take longer to transpire than we would like, God can turn things around in an instant... when the time is right. So what shall we look at in this study?

• The strange dreams of Pharaoh - how are these prophetic of what is to come?
• To prep or not to prep - Should we be prepping for what is to come?
• The exaltation of Joseph - How does this point to the Lord Jesus and believers today?
• Fruitfulness and purposeful forgetfulness - what can we learn about moving forward in Joseph's naming of his two sons?    

It is a long chapter so let's get moving!

Two strange dreams

Gen 41:1-13 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, (2) when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. (3) After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. (4) And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. (5) He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. (6) After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted--thin and scorched by the east wind. (7) The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. (8) In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. (9) Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. (10) Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. (11) Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. (12) Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. (13) And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged. "

So we learn here that Joseph was left for another two years after interpreting the dreams of his two inmates. He asked that his case be raised before Pharaoh but no... the cupbearer is enjoying his new found freedom and instead of being remembered, he is forgotten. But God hasn't forgotten Joseph and thus, at the perfect time, Pharaoh just happens to have a dream. Well, he has two dreams. The sovereignty of the all-seeing, all-knowing God is wonderful. Don't ever let your heart say that God can't or won't make a way. Now these dreams are a little odd. There are seven well fed plump healthy cows which are followed by seven ugly gaunt cows. And to make things worse, the skinnies eat the fatties! I can't say I've had dreams like that! Then, in the second dream, a stalk had seven good heads of grain which is followed by seven thin grains. And blow me down if they didn't go and do the same - they swallowed up the good grains! Mmmm... has the ruler of Egypt been drinking? What does it all mean? Well his not-so-wise wise-men don't know.¹ I'm sure you would have come up with some creative answer but these wise men have nothing. But it triggers something in the memory of the chief cupbearer who is listening. Or more likely God triggered something in his mind and finally... finally... he remembers something that he was asked to do two years ago and speaks up for Joseph. Better late than never right? 

The dreams interpreted

Gen 41:14-16, 25-32 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. (15) Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." (16) I cannot do it, Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."... (25) Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. (26) The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. (27) The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. (28) It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. (29) Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, (30) but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. (31) The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. (32) The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 

With Joseph called before Pharaoh, he quickly has a shave and puts on his Sunday best. This is it! This is his day of exaltation... not that he knows it just yet! So it is off with the prison clothes and on with glad rags. And so it is with all believers when they go from the dungeon and come before the throne. This happens at salvation but also in those times during our life as a Christian when the Lord 'consoles those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' (Isa 61:3) It is resurrection time and Joseph is totally reliant upon God. So when asked to give the interpretation of the Pharaoh's dream, Joseph is very matter of fact - 'I cannot do it... but God will give you an answer'. I love this and I hope that he placed the dramatic pause in there before saying God could!

Who has the answers?

We can learn from Joseph here. Often as Christians we feel that we have to know and have an answer ready. And we fear that we may not so we keep our mouths closed. Church leaders and teachers can feel this pressure especially. They are meant to be wise, mature, and able to give an insightful word to those asking. And yet there are many problems and situations that we just don't know or have an answer for. God knows... but we don't... and He may not be saying straight away! Why? Because often if we are the ones always giving an answer then we are the ones getting the glory. You can hear it now... 'Oh you are so knowledgeable... oh you are so wise'. And so God allows times when the answer or way forward is a complete mystery. And that is fine. It is actually more than fine, it is good. Because in those situations we get the opportunity to say essentially the same as what Joseph did. 'I don't know... but God does. So let's commit this situation to Him and see what He does.' And that is a good place to be!  

So having acknowledged God, God granted Joseph the wisdom and understanding of this dream. Now the first thing we see is that it involves sevens. Seven years in fact. When you read scripture you'll notice that God likes His threes and His sevens. When the cupbearer and baker had dreams in the prison you will remember that those two dreams involved the number three - three days. These two dreams involve the number seven - seven years. Both of these periods of time are significant prophetically:

• In the cupbearer and baker's dreams, life and death hung in the balance and would be revealed on the third day. As I mentioned last time, this is a pointer to life and death being determined on the third day - when Jesus rose from the dead!  
• In Pharaoh's dreams there would be seven good years followed by seven bad years. The land will be ravaged during the seven hard years and the abundance that they previously had will not be remembered during this time. Again this is prophetic of what occurs at the end of this age. There is no doubt that the seven bad years speak of the last period of Israel's history before the second coming of Jesus. That will become clearer as we continue this series. It is a prophetic pointer to Daniel's seventieth '7' which will be the hardest period of time for both Israel and the world. 

But for now, note how bad this seven years of famine was foretold to be. Joseph said that seven years of great abundance were coming but the abundance in the land would not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. And again, Jesus spoke of the last seven year period as unlike any that the world has ever faced before (Matt 24:21). And believe me, when the Great Tribulation comes, all the good times that came before it will be quickly forgotten!  

To prep or not to prep - that is the question!

Gen 41:33-38 And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. (34) Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. (35) They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. (36) This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine." The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. (38) So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" 

So God's wisdom upon Joseph shone through and the King could see it. Joseph knew they had seven years to prepare for the very difficult times that were coming. Yes, in this situation, Joseph was a 'prepper'! 'Prepping' is a huge movement in certain circles and this passage is often used as evidence that we need to 'prep' for what is coming. And what is coming? Well, according to the world, it is the zombie apocalypse. Ok, they got the apocalypse part right. Not so sure about the zombies... but maybe! Many in the 'prepping' movement have stored up years of food, water, medical suppliers, portable power, survival tools, ammunition, and, obviously (hopefully) toilet paper. So should we be prepping for what is to come? Yes... but not necessarily in the way you think!

Exaltation! The Rise of Joseph

Gen 41:39-46 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. (40) You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." (41) So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." (42) Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. (43) He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (44) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt." (45) Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. (46) Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt.

So Joseph was exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. I bet Joseph didn't see that happening when he woke up in the prison that morning! Imagine if someone the day before said by this time tomorrow you will be in control over all of Egypt. 'Ha!' he would have thought. 'Yeah right!' Although he also would have known that God had given him dreams as well and they would be fulfilled. And so, when the time was right, God changed things for Joseph in an instant. It is an awesome reminder that 'God makes a way, where there seems to be no way'. But there is always a purpose in the time it takes... for all of us experiencing a trial. As Pastor David Guzik writes:  

"Joseph is a good example of a man who seemed to have all the gifts and talents for leadership, but God developed his character and talents over many years. Gifts and talents may be impressive and immediate, but character is what God looks for and always takes time to develop."
Pastor David Guzik

Learning from Joseph - Our position in Christ

There is also a reminder of the believers position in Christ here. Because not only has Jesus been raised and exalted, but so have believers! The Bible tells us:

Eph 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

So Joseph is now seen dressed in robes of fine linen, with a gold chain. Fine linen in the Bible is a picture of righteousness (Rev 19:8) and gold speaks of the divine nature. It is a picture of Christ but also of those in Christ. As believers we are the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21), partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). When He returns we will be like Him and in the meantime we are being confirmed into the image of the Son (2 Cor 3:18). 

And let's not forget the name of the bride whom Joseph took upon His exaltation. Asenath became the wife of Joseph⁴ and Easton's Bible dictionary states hers is 'An Egyptian name, meaning 'gift of the sun-god'." Again this is a wonderful reminder that the bride of Christ is a gift from the Father, to the Son. And to that I will add that of all those that the Son is given (John 6:37, 10:29, 17:24), He (as the Great Shepherd) will lose none! (John 6:39, 17:12) Glory to God!

Leaving the past behind and pressing on

Gen 41:47-57 During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. (48) Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. (49) Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. (50) Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. (51) Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." (52) The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." (53) The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, (54) and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. (55) When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you." (56) When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. (57) And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.

So we see that Joseph had two sons during this period, before the seven years of famine came. The firstborn was Manasseh meaning 'forgetting' and the second Ephraim meaning 'fruitful'. People in that day often named their children over events or feelings at that time in their lives. So taken together we see the attitude of Joseph during this time of abundance. He has 'forgotten' the difficult years that lead up to this moment. The many years of suffering and ill-treatment had given way to fruitfulness and a positive view of the future.⁵ But this is from the hand of God and Joseph's willingness to trust that God has a purpose in all things that comes his way. As would later be prophesied over Joseph by his father Jacob:

Gen 49:22-25 Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. (23) With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. (24) But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, (25) because of your father's God, who helps you...

Did you note that the 'archers' who shot at Joseph did so with bitterness. These were his own brothers. They weren't able to forgive and forget. They missed the grace of God by not looking to the Creator, and instead stewed in their jealousy and envy until it was all stirred up and thoroughly bitter. And Joseph himself will be truly tested in this area as we shall see in future studies. Now we also see that in his exaltation, all the Egyptians were instructed to go to Joseph and do whatever he says. Joseph was the one with the grain and all the countries came to Joseph to get food and live.

Conclusion

So the rollercoaster of Joseph's life continued as he came out of the lowest low, round the bend and up up up to reach the greatest of heights! Life is now pretty good for Joseph. He has had two kids whom he has called 'Forgetting and fruitful'. In the language of the New Testament, Joseph would say:  

'One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' (Php 3:13-14)

And that is a reminder for all of us. We do not want the past to depress our future. We want to forget what has gone and press forward in what God desires from us. Sounds easy right? Well, it is easy... to say. But Joseph is about to be tested in this. For in the next chapter he is about to see the ones that he has not seen for around 22 years - the very ones who despised, abandoned and sold him into slavery. Yep... his brothers are coming to town and Joseph's motto of 'forget the past and move forward in fruitfulness' will be sorely tested!

God Bless.

FOOTNOTES