Joseph Interprets Dreams

Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt, where he served in Potiphar's house until false accusations from Potiphar's wife landed him in prison. But even in prison, the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. The warden put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners and everything that happened in the prison. During this time, Pharaoh became angry with two of his officials—the chief cupbearer and the chief baker—and imprisoned them in the same facility where Joseph was confined.

One morning, Joseph noticed that both the cupbearer and baker looked dejected. When he asked why, they explained they had both had dreams but there was no one to interpret them. Joseph replied with words that revealed the source of his gift: 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.' The cupbearer went first, describing a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and produced grapes. In the dream, he squeezed the grapes into Pharaoh's cup and put it in his hand.

Joseph interpreted: 'The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position.' Joseph saw this as an opportunity and asked the cupbearer to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh when he was restored, explaining that he had been kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews and had done nothing to deserve imprisonment. The baker, encouraged by the favorable interpretation, shared his dream: three baskets of bread on his head, with birds eating from the top basket.

Joseph delivered the harsh interpretation: 'The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.' Three days later, on Pharaoh's birthday, both interpretations came true exactly as Joseph had said. The cupbearer was restored to his position, but the baker was executed. Yet despite Joseph's request, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph for two full years. God's timing for Joseph's deliverance had not yet arrived.

Two years later, Pharaoh himself had two troubling dreams. In the first, seven fat, healthy cows were devoured by seven gaunt, ugly cows. In the second dream, seven full, healthy heads of grain were swallowed up by seven thin, scorched heads. When Pharaoh woke, his mind was troubled, but none of his magicians or wise men could interpret the dreams. Finally, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about the Hebrew prisoner who had correctly interpreted dreams in prison.

Pharaoh immediately summoned Joseph. After shaving and changing his clothes, Joseph stood before the most powerful man in the world. Pharaoh said, '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.' Joseph's response demonstrated his humility and faith: 'I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.' He refused to take credit for his gift, instead pointing Pharaoh to the true source of wisdom.

After hearing both dreams, Joseph explained that they were two versions of one message: God was revealing to Pharaoh what He was about to do. Seven years of great abundance would come throughout Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine that would devastate the land. The reason the dream was given twice was that the matter had been firmly decided by God, and He would do it soon. Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a discerning and wise man to oversee storing grain during the abundant years to prepare for the famine.

Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was the right man for the job: 'Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?' He appointed Joseph second-in-command over all Egypt, giving him his signet ring, fine linen robes, and a gold chain. At thirty years old—thirteen years after being sold into slavery—Joseph was elevated from prisoner to prime minister in a single day. During the seven years of abundance, Joseph stored up enormous quantities of grain. When the famine came, Joseph's wise preparation saved not only Egypt but the surrounding nations, including his own family who would eventually come seeking grain. God had positioned Joseph exactly where he needed to be to preserve His people and fulfill His promises.