a) Narrate the dreams of Pharaoh. (b) In what three ways did the interpretation of the dreams affect Joseph and his people?.

Answer Details

(a) The dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis 41)

Pharaoh had two troubling dreams in one night. In the first, he stood by the river Nile and saw seven cows, sleek and fat, come up out of the river and feed in the reed grass. Then seven other cows, ugly, thin and gaunt, came up after them and ate the seven fat cows, yet remained as lean as before. Pharaoh awoke, slept again, and dreamed a second dream: seven ears of grain, plump and good, grew on one stalk. After them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind, and the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump ears.

In the morning Pharaoh's spirit was troubled, and none of the magicians and wise men of Egypt could interpret the dreams. The chief butler then remembered Joseph, who had interpreted dreams in prison. Joseph was brought from the dungeon, and giving glory to God, he explained that the two dreams were one: the seven fat cows and seven good ears meant seven years of great plenty, while the seven lean cows and thin ears meant seven years of severe famine that would follow and consume the plenty. The doubling of the dream showed that the thing was fixed by God and would happen soon. Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to store one-fifth of the produce during the years of plenty against the years of famine.

(b) Three ways the interpretation affected Joseph and his people

1. Joseph's promotion: Pharaoh was so impressed that he set Joseph over all Egypt as governor, second only to himself, gave him his signet ring, fine linen and a gold chain, and a wife. Joseph rose from prison to the highest office.
2. Preservation from famine: By storing grain during the seven plenteous years, Joseph saved Egypt and many nations, including his own family, from dying in the famine.
3. Reunion and settlement of his family: The famine brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt, leading to reconciliation and the migration of Jacob and his whole household to settle in the fertile land of Goshen.