Lesson 231: Pharaoh's Dreams

Gen. 41

Full Lesson HERE

INTRODUCTION. Two years after Pharaoh's butler was released from prison and restored to his job, Pharaoh had two troubling dreams. When the wise men of Egypt could not interpret the dreams, the butler then remembered Joseph and informed the king about the young Hebrew prisoner.

Pharaoh sent for Joseph who interpreted the king's dreams which foretold seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph outlined a plan to prepare for the famine and advised Pharaoh to select a man to oversee the work. Pharaoh, impressed with Joseph's wisdom, appointed him the ruler of Egypt, second only to himself. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh-he had been a slave and prisoner in Egypt for thirteen years.

Pharaoh gave Asenath, the daughter of an Egyptian priest, to Joseph to be his wife. Before the famine commenced two sons were born to Joseph and Asenath. Joseph called the first son Manasseh which means, Forgetting, for God had made him forget all his toil and his father's house. He named his second son Ephraim which means, Fruitful, for God had caused him to be fruitful in the land of his affliction.

Joseph prepared for the famine during the years of plenty by storing the surplus grain.

When the famine commenced, Joseph opened his storehouses, selling the grain not only to Egyptians, but to those of the surrounding countries.