Genesis Chapter 41

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

41

1. After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and there came up out of the Nile seven sleek and fat cows, and they grazed in the reed grass. 3. Then 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 The ugly and thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. And Pharaoh awoke.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 1 to 4)

Two years had passed and the cup bearer had not re paid Joseph for having interpreted his dream and had Joseph removed from the dungeon were he was being held unjustly.  Therefore God intervened on Joseph's behalf and caused the Pharaoh to dream so that Joseph could intervene according to the will of God. When human intervention is lacking God uses all the available means, so that His will is made possible to unfold.

Pharaoh's dream is very interesting. On reflecting it has a very interesting significance. The nice and fat cows represent, the good part of humanity. However as humans we are prone to sin and cannot remain in a state of grace forever. Therefore the sleek cows are followed by the ugly ones that represent our bad side, that if permitted by us, will destroy all the goodness that God has given us. The Pharaoh was so traumatised by the dream that he awoke. When we make a genuine experience of our sinful self, in contrast to the positive reality that God wishes us to live, and the negative consequences of sin, we are sure to experience the same trauma as did the Pharaoh and all who experienced the dark side of hell.

5. Then he fell asleep and dreamed a second time; seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6. Then seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them. 7. The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and it was a dream.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 5 to 7)


The second dream is very similar to the first dream. In both dreams the bad and ugly destroys the good, thus giving the impression that for a period there would be good times that are followed by very bad times. In the spiritual life, and even in our social life, the same pattern is experienced. Good times, or consolations, are followed by periods of desolation's, which at times may be very difficult to endure. However as the saying says, 'at the end of every rainbow there is awaiting a pot of gold' therefore we must always trust in God and rest assured that He will deliver us, when He considers the time as being appropriate.



8. In the morning his spirit was troubled; so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

(Genesis chapter 41 verse 8)


The Pharaoh was troubled by the dreams that he dreamt. Any intervention by God as is the dreams, requires a response in order to be genuine, as in the theory of cause and effect. The effect follows the cause. Our being troubled and trying to make sense of the dream is the response which is followed by serious action. As Joseph had told the chief baker and the cup bearer dreams have their origins in God and therefore only God or people of God can interpret them. Therefore it is a waste of time and money to go to fortune tellers or wizards in order to seek the truth, because God is the only source of truth that can enlighten us in such circumstances.



9. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, " I remember my faults today. 10 Once Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 We dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own meaning. 12. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each according to his dream. 13 As he interpreted to us, so it turned out; I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 9 to 13)


On reflecting God can use any circumstance to enable His will to unfold. By means of the skill of dream interpretation, God permitted Joseph to interpret the dreams of the cup bearer and the baker, on the other hand God also has the faculty of stimulating our memory in order for us to recollect positive moments in our life, that had a strong impact on our lives, as in the example of moments, when we experienced peak moments with God.


14. Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was hurriedly brought out of the dungeon. When he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before 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."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 14 to 15)

When appearing before the Pharaoh Joseph prepared himself well by shaving himself and changing his clothes. The Pharaoh was the most important person of Egypt. When appearing before God, maybe every Sunday we must also take care of how we appear before God.  People judge us on how we appear from the outside, however God makes who knows us as we really are, and not according to our external impression is able to give us a more intimate and intense scan, taking into consideration the well being of our soul, and our spiritual relationship with Him and with those of our inner and external circles.

16. Joseph answered Pharaoh, " It is not I; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

(Genesis chapter 41 verse 16)

It is worth noting Joseph's humble attitude in the presence of the powerful Pharaoh. Moreover Joseph attributed his skill as being the merit of God and not his own. This is very important, for anything we do we accomplish not by our own merit, but by the will of God who accomplishes acts by means of us. Therefore for anything we accomplish and even for those that are not successful we are to thank God because in truth they are His accomplishments and not ours. However when we will fully do a sinful and wicked act we cannot attribute it to God, for nothing evil has its origins in God. 

 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile; 18 and seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19 Then seven other cows came up after them, poor very ugly, and thin. Never had I seen such ugly ones in all the land of Egypt. 20 The thin and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows, 21 but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had done so, for they were still as ugly as before. Then I awoke.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 17 to 21)

The Pharaoh recollected his dreams to Joseph, who was a person of God. Moreover as referred to by Joseph dreams have their origins in God, therefore there is nobody better than people of God who can give such reliable feedback. Priests or friars who are grounded in discernment are able to help us in a spirit of prayer to discern if the prayer is from God or from a negative spirit, according to a strict criteria as formulated by Saint Ignatius of Loyola and by means of other sources.

 22. I fell asleep a second time and I saw in my dream seven ears of grain, full and good, growing on one stalk, and seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouting after them; 24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. But when I told it to the magicians, there was no one who could explain it to me."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 22 to 24)

Many people may attempt to give explanations of dreams. There exists also on line web-sites that offer various interpretations, however in order to discern if the dream has a spiritual significance it is best to consult it with your spiritual director or other competent people in the Church.

 25. Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh's dreams 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 ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, as are the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind. They are seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. 30 After them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land. 31 The plenty will no longer be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very grievous. 32 And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. 

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 25 to 32)

By means of the insights and knowledge given to Joseph by the Holy Spirit of God, Joseph was able to transmit to the Pharaoh the connectedness or relationship of both dreams and even show how the consequences of each dream were in fact to take place, thus giving an objective portrayal of the future events that were to take place. One way associate this with fortune telling, however the difference is that fortune-telling is based on probability, while Joseph's interpretations were based on facts, that were under the control of God, and that in fact really happened.

32,  Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man who is discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, and take one fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plenteous years. 33 Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 32 to 36)

God's response to the interpretation of a call or a dream, or a call by means of a dream, does not leave a person passive in its sight. God is dynamic meaning always active on our behalf. Therefore like God when we receive, his call we are to be active and respond to Him. When interpreting the dream, Joseph not only gave Pharaoh the meaning but also suggested the needed action. As Christians God gave us a universal call as Christians, but also a personal call. Everyday God awaits our response to His call. The universal call is to love Him and others until it hurts. Love not according to the ways of the world, meaning those who love us, but mostly those who do not show us their love. If we ask God to give us more doses of His love ,we can put a dose of this love in every situation and God promises to change it from a negative one, to a positive one that is according to His Holy will.

37. The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone else like this one in whom is the spirit of God?"39. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 37 to 40)

On seeing that Joseph had proved himself worthy of interpreting his dream and came up with the perfect solution Pharaoh upgraded Joseph's status by making him second in command. Joseph was accountable only to Pharaoh and nobody else. Moreover everybody apart from the Pharaoh was subject to Joseph. On reflecting it can be commented that many times God proves Himself, loving, faithful and most of all reliable in our lives. He passes all of our tests, but somehow we still doubt him. We never promote Jesus as our primary source of reference, love and care, but seek that of the world. This is a real pity, because nobody on this earth, loves us and is willing to be caring and supportive to us as much as Jesus. Therefore we are to promote Him as our point of reference over the world, and refer to His Word in a spirit of prayer for our guidance. From experience I assure you that when referred to in the appropriate time it gives me all the answers to my problems, or enough enlightenment and courage to move on in life. I always carry my mini pocket book version of the New Testament in my pocket. Every time I open at random without trying to find a particular verse God always speaks to my soul. Thank You Jesus for giving me such a reliable connection. 

41. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." 42 Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on Joseph's hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in the chariot of his second in-command; and they cried out in front of him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44. Moreover Pharaoh said to to Joseph, " I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in the land of Egypt." 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,as his wife. Thus Joseph gained authority over the land of Egypt.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 41 to 45)

On reflecting the Pharaoh gave Joseph unlimited authority over Egypt. This reminds me of the Devil who also wanted to give Jesus unlimited power over all the cities of the world. Moreover in the New Testament in relation to the issue of Authority Pontius Pilate told Jesus that he had authority over him. Jesus told him that he would not have had authority over him if it had not been given by God the father. Therefore it follows that in truth it was not the Pharaoh who had given authority, to Joseph but God the father who was unfolding the process of His plan of our salvation by means of Joseph and what was to take place in Egypt.

46, Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.

(Genesis chapter 41 verse 46)

Although Joseph was still very young God still chose him to be His voice and presence in the land of Egypt. Joseph did not waste time. As soon as he was given the assignment ,without any lingering Joseph went to work. As Christians we and even people of many other religions we have also been given an assignment to love others and even ourselves. Jesus fulfilled His assignment for our salvation to the letter when he gave us his body and soul as a living sacrifice for our redemption. Now its our turn to continue living our assignment every day of our lives.

47. During the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years when there was plenty in the land of Egypt, and stored up food in the cities; he stored up in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance-like the sand of the sea-that he stopped measuring it: it was beyond measure.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 47 to 49)

As transmitted in the dream, the seven good years were great in abundance. This was a sign of God's presence who was helping Joseph and at the same time continuing the process of the plan for our salvation. When viewing single events in our lives, we might question their meaning, however when viewing the events linked as a chain one succeeding the other, only then we realise the big picture and what God has planned for us.

50. Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons, whom Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house." 52 The second he named Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 50 to 52) 

According to verses 50 to 52 God was helping Joseph in a holistic way. He was helping Joseph even on a personal level. Joseph became a family man having two children of his own. It appears that this new experience was enough to compensate for his previous moments of desolation and hardship. Although life alienates us from the cruel reality of the hardships of life, when stopping to reflect it may all come back to us. However God is loving caring and comforting especially during these moments. Our reality as sinners and humans is one that we cannot avoid for a very long time.

53. The seven years of plenty that prevailed in the land of Egypt came to an end; 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every country, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread. 55. When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do."

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 53 to 55)

The Pharaoh sent the citizens of his kingdom to Joseph in order for him to give them food. During our times, the mother of God in Medgugorie and other places is sending us to her son Jesus, for it is only Him who can comfort and love us and help us in all are needs, and not the ways of the world, which can only give us quick fix solutions, which in reality do not solve the problem at all.

56. And since 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 world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine became severe throughout the world.

(Genesis chapter 41 verses 56 to 57)

On reflection today a spiritual famine also exists, even amongst us who call ourselves Christians. This can be felt even in Malta. When the choice came to vote in favour and or against the issues of divorce, and that of mixed marriages, the majority of the voters chose to vote in favour of both issues. These issues are both compelling people to act against the will of God. The devil is persuading people to make a parody of the Christian marriage. This is being done by the institution of a caricature of the traditional model, that accepts the couple to be of different genders. Society has chosen to embark on a road leading to its own destruction. When a society cannot reproduce itself any more it will die a natural death. When considering that the birth rate has decreased, and our population is becoming of an age, introducing the civil union that accepts the unification as in marriage between people of the same gender is adding fuel to the flame in the sense of making this problem more complicated than it already is. This is the work of the Devil and who is cooperating with his plan are his accomplices.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer published with the permission of Marcia Agacer