Wayfinding Bible - Flipbook - Page 69
63
Genesis 41
PG 64
PG 64
OBSERVATION POINT
Egypt rarely had severe famines, so the thought of a
seven-year famine seemed impossible to the magicians and wise men of Egypt. The Nile River flooded
annually, providing fertile soil and adequate water
for the entire region. Other regions of the ancient
world had frequent famines, but Egypt did not suffer as much.
cows that came up later and the seven thin
heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine.
28
“This will happen just as I have described
it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance
what he is about to do. 29 The next seven years
will be a period of great prosperity throughout
the land of Egypt. 30 But afterward there will
be seven years of famine so great that all the
prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine
will destroy the land. 31 This famine will be so
severe that even the memory of the good years
will be erased. 32 As for having two similar
dreams, it means that these events have been
decreed by God, and he will soon make them
happen.
33
“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge
of the entire land of Egypt. 34 Then Pharaoh
should appoint supervisors over the land and
let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. 35 Have them gather
all the food produced in the good years that
are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will
be food in the cities. 36 That way there will be
enough to eat when the seven years of famine
come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT
Joseph’s suggestions were well received by
Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked
his officials, “Can we find anyone else like
this man so obviously filled with the spirit of
God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since
God has revealed the meaning of the dreams
to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or
wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my
37
EXPLORATION POINT
God had been preparing Joseph since he was a teenager. His brothers had scoffed at his dreams, but
God was training him. Seeing the fates of his fellow
prisoners confirmed Joseph’s gift. Now he was interpreting the dreams of a pharaoh. Joseph’s wisdom
saved his family as well as thousands of people living
in the region. God used those experiences, those
situations, and even a “detour” in Joseph’s life to
prepare him for his part in God’s plan. God does the
same in our lives.
court, and all my people will take orders from
you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a
rank higher than yours.”
41
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you
in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” 42 Then
Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his
hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He
dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a
gold chain around his neck. 43 Then he had Jo
seph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-
in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the
command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pha
raoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44 And
Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no
one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of
Egypt without your approval.”
45
Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian
name, Zaphenath-paneah.* He also gave him
a wife, whose name was Asenath. She was the
daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.* So Jo
seph took charge of the entire land of Egypt.
46
He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
And when Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he
inspected the entire land of Egypt.
47
As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops. 48 During those years, Jo
seph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and
stored the grain from the surrounding fields in
the cities. 49 He piled up huge amounts of grain
like sand on the seashore. Finally, he stopped
keeping records because there was too much
to measure.
50
During this time, before the first of the
famine years, two sons were born to Joseph
and his wife, Asen
ath, the daughter of Potiph
era, the priest of On. 51 Joseph named his older
41:45a Zaphenath-paneah probably means “God speaks and lives.”
41:45b Greek version reads of Heliopolis; also in 41:50.
