(a) Give an account of Joseph's first encounter with Pharaoh [12 marks] (b) State any three qualities of his that earned him Pharaoh's favour [3 marks]

Answer Details

(a) Joseph's first encounter with Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1-45)

After two full years, Pharaoh had two troubling dreams. In the first, seven fat cows came up out of the Nile and were devoured by seven thin and ugly cows. In the second, seven plump ears of grain were swallowed up by seven thin ears blasted by the east wind. Pharaoh was troubled in the morning and called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, but none could interpret the dreams.

Then the chief butler remembered Joseph, who had rightly interpreted his own dream and that of the baker while they were in prison. He told Pharaoh about the young Hebrew. Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought out of the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; but I have heard that you can understand a dream and interpret it." Joseph humbly answered, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favourable answer."

Pharaoh recounted the two dreams. Joseph explained that both dreams were one and the same, revealing what God was about to do. The seven fat cows and seven good ears were seven years of great plenty, and the seven thin cows and blasted ears were seven years of severe famine that would follow and consume the land. The dream was doubled because the matter was fixed by God and would come to pass soon. Joseph then advised Pharaoh to appoint a discreet and wise man over the land, and to set overseers to gather one-fifth of the produce during the years of plenty and store it as a reserve against the years of famine.

The advice pleased Pharaoh and his servants. Pharaoh said, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" He then set Joseph over all the land of Egypt, gave him his signet ring, clothed him in fine linen, put a gold chain about his neck, and made him second only to himself. He gave him the name Zaphenath-paneah and Asenath as wife.

(b) Three qualities of Joseph that earned him Pharaoh's favour

• Humility and godliness: He gave all glory to God, saying the interpretation was from God and not from himself.
• Wisdom and discernment: He not only interpreted the dreams but offered a wise plan to save Egypt from the coming famine.
• Intelligence and administrative ability: Pharaoh recognised him as discreet and wise, a man in whom was the Spirit of God, fit to govern.