Genesis 41:1-13 Those who possess the Spirit of truth possess the secrets to enduring prosperity
1 Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. 2 And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and fat; and they grazed in the marsh grass. 3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. 7 The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 Now in the morning his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of my own offenses. 10 Pharaoh was furious with his servants, and he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. 11 We had a dream on the same night, he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12 Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.”
Background
This scene is set in the royal palace two years later. The Pharaoh is given two dreams but without the accompanying interpretation. Even with no lack of human intellect and skilled magicians, the Egyptian machinery fails. Now, the time has come for Joseph’s elevation as the cupbearer remembers in good time his unfulfilled obligation. God, in His mercy has ordained Joseph for a time as this to preserve Egypt and Israel from famine. Perhaps, God has also ordained you for a divine purpose in your church, and company. Today’s devotion teaches us that those who possess the Spirit of truth possess the secrets to enduring prosperity.
Observation
Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream.
It has been two years since the cupbearer was pardoned where he got his job back. Even so, the cupbearer forgot about his promise to help Joseph. Nevertheless, divine providence allowed his moral lapse to serve God’s purpose. Here, God gave Pharaoh two dreams which sent him seeking an interpretation. The dreams were set at the river Nile, which is a symbol of Egypt’s source of life, power and wealth. The presence of the Nile hinted at the immense implication the dream carried.
The number seven: seven sleek and fat cows, seven ugly and gaunt cows, portends the finality of an ominous fate for the agriculture of the land. The second dream carried the same implication, this time it involved crops.
And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
Pharaoh knew that the dreams carried profound implications that must be immediately addressed. Being exceedingly troubled, he summoned the magicians and wisemen of the land in a bid to decode the divine message. However, the most skilled magicians of Egypt failed to provide a satisfactory interpretation that would allay the Pharaoh’s trepidation. The Egyptian ways of wisdom and knowledge were found wanting. However, it is clear that God has put within Pharaoh an instinct that gives him discernment for what is true or false interpretation. However, this divine instinct alone is useless without one who is wise enough to make plain the mysteries embedded in the dreams.
Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a servant of the captain of the bodyguard.
At this juncture, the cupbearer was reminded of his unfulfilled obligation towards Joseph. However, the “offences” (of not telling the Pharaoh about Joseph’s gift) was committed in God’s providential time frame. And now, it was timely for Joseph’s unusual ability to see the light of day. The cupbearer’s testimony needed no further explanation, Joseph was dramatically summoned before the Pharaoh.
Truth
Those who possess the Spirit of truth possess the secrets to enduring prosperity
God desires all peoples to be saved from all catastrophes and is constantly speaking to them in dreams and signs to save them. However, it necessitates believers who are wise in the Spirit to decode the hidden message therein. At the wake of an agricultural disaster, God spoke to the Pharaoh through a dream that hinted at an ominous fate facing the nation. Why didn’t God speak plainly to Pharaoh concerning what was to come? It is because Pharaoh and his advisers did not possess the wisdom of the Spirit to understand and steer the nation away from imminent destruction. As Paul said, only the wise in Spirit can decode the mystery, the hidden wisdom… which none of the rulers of this age has understood (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).
The disciples asked Jesus, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted… many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”(Matthew 13:10,11, 17). Jesus has granted His disciples divine wisdom to decode the meaning of the parables so that they may lead the people towards prosperity. If the meaning of the dream is immediately revealed to the Pharaoh, he may entertain the idea for a season only to be swayed by his advisors. Unless full authority was granted to Joseph the possessor of truth and conviction, Egypt remained in imminent danger.
Jesus gives wisdom to those who love Him, who believe and live by His word (John 14:23,26). In the same breath, Jesus taught them about the Spirit of truth who will guide them into all truths and will disclose to them what is to come (see John 16:13-16).
How is it that many who are learned in the word cannot decode dreams or signs to provide the way of salvation? It is because they refuse to believe anything that runs contrary to their plans, but only that which bode well with their fleshly desires. Yet some are accustomed to using an earthly mentality to decipher the word. They study the word but cannot bring themselves to believe what it says. Jesus spoke to the Jews who sought to kill him, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” John 5:39-40.
Likewise, many churchgoers today when it comes to Jesus’s promise of granting divine authority to the disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12) wrestled with the notion: the works that I do, he will do also?! and greater works than these he will do???!!! They appear to agree with the word, and yet despise those who exercise authority over the angels and elements of creation. Many suppose they are wiser and learned, refuse to acknowledge that such revelations are given to the simple and less educated. Yet many are unwilling to embrace new spiritual experiences for fear of being “attacked” by evil spirits. However, Titus 1:15 says, “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.” The pure at heart does all things freely and fearlessly because they do all things out of love for God and for others. And the devil has no avenue to accuse them. Hence, the devil flees in the presence of divine light (see James 4:7).
Application
Are you in a habit of worrying about your future? The secrets to abundant living and protection from all kinds of famines and diseases lie in the Spirit of truth. While you meditate on the word, the Spirit reveals to you the secrets to enduring prosperity. However, the believer who possesses the Spirit of truth also possesses a deep hunger for divine wisdom; and on the word, he meditates day and night trolling for divine wisdom, the key to abundant life. Discipline yourself by making a bible reading plan. You may not understand all that you have read, but the Spirit of truth gives understanding along the way. In due time, you will hear God’s voice readily as He shows you the secrets to a blessed life.
As God has ordained Joseph, He has also ordained you in a time as this for your church, and company. Seek to understand the purpose in which God has called you to and fulfil your calling.
Dear Lord, as much as I desire divine wisdom to understand the secrets to enduring prosperity, I desire even more your Spirit through which my heart is sanctified. As I read your word, enlighten my eyes to see the light of your wisdom so that I may live in divine love and righteousness. Use me as a vessel to speak wisdom and life to my church, company and my family. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.