The rest of the chapter tells of their dreams, Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams, and how the interpretations were later fulfilled. I also give you Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On (Heliopolis) to marry.”, Pharaoh motioned for Merkha. [3] T; Both dreams meant the same thing. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Seven other cows—scrawny and sick—snuck up behind them. 4 The sickly, thin cows ate the … They knew that Joseph had been able to interpret dreams and was summoned to Pharoah to see if he could interpret the dreams he was having. Was Joseph correct in his interpretation of the dreams of the baker and the butler? “Here are my dreams: I was standing on the bank of the Nile. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. [22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: Joseph was humble, and he pointed Pharaoh to the all-knowing God. He assured them: “Do not interpretations belong to God? Joseph was thirty years old when he went to work for Pharaoh the king of Egypt. Apostolic Faith, West & Central Africa - All rights reserved. [Genesis:40:1-23 [1] And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. [3] And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. The cup-bearer took those grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Pharaoh made haste to have Joseph brought before him, and he told Joseph the disturbing dreams. With clean clothes and a freshly shaven face, Joseph stood humbly before Egypt’s king. This Hebrew clearly spoke truth. [5] And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. T; The Pharaoh sent Joseph back to prison. Title: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams Scripture: Genesis 40-41 Target Age Group: 3 rd-5 th grade Supplies: Story sequence strips (download here) Optional Story Illustrations: The Story of Joseph Coloring Pages. Surely his blood-kin gods sent him a message. “I can’t do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. This is the third lesson in a series of 5 about Joseph’s life and the incredible way that God used him to bless his people. This is the third lesson in a series of 5 about Joseph’s life and the incredible way that God used him to bless his people. [21] And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: Pharaoh asked everyone but God helped him interpret the dreams. But God never forgets His own, and though things do not always come to us as soon as we think they should, remember that God knows best and will bring things to pass in His time and for His glory. They told him about the dreams they had had. How was Joseph able to interpret dreams? In recent years dams have been built to control the floods and store water for the dry years, but in those days if the water came too high and stayed on the ground too long so that crops could not be planted in time, the result was famine. When this need arose for an answer from God, Joseph must have been happy indeed that he was in a position to get his prayers through. Bible Story Pharaoh liked that he didn’t twitch or shuffle his feet like so many others in his presence. The guide includes: Expert theories on dreams and why we dream. “But my God can.”, “Alright then,” Pharaoh sat on the edge of his gold engraved throne. Joseph’s response to their dreams is pretty remarkable and telling of what had been happening in Joseph’s heart. Joseph believed God directed the events of the world, both the big (like feast and famine in Egypt) and small (the details of his life). 2. Genius. Whe… The Interpretation [29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 3_35J_JOSEPH, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS.doc, 3_35J_JOSEPH, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS.pdf, 03_35JF_JOSEPH, L’INTERPRETE DES SONGES.docx, 03_35JF_JOSEPH, L’INTERPRETE DES SONGES.pdf. [7] And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And as it was budding, its blossoms came out and they produced grapes. how could Joseph interpret dreams? Daniel was a prophet who was able to interpret dreams and understand all kinds of literature and learning. (1 day). Not only did Joseph interpret the dreams, but he also advised Pharaoh how to avoid devastation in Egypt. [13] Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. [4] And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. It would seem that the butler would have been so happy to have his old position back that he would have thought about it every day -- but he did not. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He did not say: "Perhaps I will never get home again, so what does it matter how I live? He confidently answered in Genesis 41:16 saying, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph, by the Spirit, interpreted the king’s dream. 7 Lesson’s From Joseph’s Dreams. It may be that he really had committed a deed worthy of punishment. [7] And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. This will save your country from the famine’s destruction.”. It must have seemed a long time for him, and he must have been very much disappointed that the butler had been so thoughtless. Learn the insights into dream processes and the reasons for dreaming that the past 120 years of psychoanalysis have provided us with. Joseph assured them that they did not need the astrologers and soothsayers, because God alone could give the proper interpretation. Is this true?”, “No Sir, I can’t interpret dreams.” Joseph didn’t cower under his piercing gaze. (8-3) Genesis 37:28 The price received for Joseph, twenty pieces of silver, is the same price specified later in the Mosaic law for a slave between the ages of five and twenty (see Leviticus 27:5 ). When the king learned of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, he sent for him and asked if he could interpret his dreams. But then seven years of famine will follow. We should remember Joseph when the odds seem against us in life. Those wicked kings were always afraid someone was trying to poison them, or kill them in some way; and perhaps that was the reason these men were under suspicion. 1. [11] And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. The butler told his dream first, and was very happy to hear Joseph say that it foretold his release in three days. Is this true?” “No Sir, I can’t interpret dreams.” Joseph didn’t cower under his piercing gaze. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God”  (James 1:5). Surely this man has the spirit of the living God in him! The withered heads of grain swallowed the seven good heads.”, A servant wiped the beads of perspiration from Pharaoh’s forehead. They made up excuses to justify their ignorance. Suddenly, seven healthy, well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. After having his own dreams, being sent into slavery and then prison, it would be understandable if Joseph wanted nothing to do with dreams. But like Joseph, we may find ourselves thrown into a situation in any given moment. The two men explained that they were agitated by their vivid and puzzling dreams —and by the fact that they had no interpreter with them. Joseph’s second dream is about heavenly or spiritual matters. [32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [12] And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. It is the prequel to the dream of Pharaoh that is brought to Joseph many years later while he is imprisoned in jail. This wind blows across the Arabian Desert, and is very hot by the time it gets to Egypt. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams. Relate it [the dream] to me, please.” For they looked just as scrawny as before.”, Pharaoh inhaled deeply. To Joseph—but only to Joseph—the dreams were obvious. Interpreting dreams in the ancient world was a sophisticated profession involving technical “dream books” that listed elements of dreams and their meanings. Word got out about his skills in interpreting the cupbearer’s and the baker’s dreams while he was imprisoned, and so he is brought to interpret Pharaohs dreams of the 7 fat and 7 lean sheep. Genesis 41:16 "I myself cannot do it," Joseph replied, "but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer." [4] And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. As a result, his brothers almost killed him and then sold him off to slavery. Joseph was kind-hearted, and he was interested in knowing why they felt so sad. “Here are my dreams: I was standing on the bank of the Nile. [6] And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. [18] And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: It does not seem to have been unusual for people to tell their dreams to such a person, and get some kind of interpretation, but here in the prison there was no one to tell them the meaning of the dreams. The Four Dreams Of Joseph No. Joseph paused a moment to let the news soak in. Pharaoh is so impressed by the Hebrew young man, that he appoints Joseph to be Prime Minister of Egypt, second in power only to Pharaoh himself. The Egyptians placed a lot of weight on dreams and depended heavily on the men who claimed to be able to interpret them. He lived to please God every day, remember-ing that God sees everything we do, and will reward us according to our works. Soon two men who had had high positions in the king’s court joined him but they had done something to displease Pharaoh. This leads Pharaoh to invite Joseph to interpret his disturbing dreams, and upon his successfully doing so, Joseph is appointed to be Pharaoh’s number two (Gen 41). [2] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. Not even the purring fountain or musicians could console him. True/False. But unfortunately for Pharaoh... none of these men would be able to interpret his dreams for him. We need spiritual understanding to know the meaning of the things of God. ... Joseph is able to forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery at the end of Exodus. How to Interpret your Dreams offers all the information you need to start interpreting and understanding your dreams. 3. [34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. Users are free to reproduce for use, but not for publication. I. Egyptians were fond of the supernatural and dream interpretations were a clear means to convince them that Joseph was a messenger of God. There was almost no rain, but agriculture was possible through irrigation from the river. In Genesis 40:14-15 and 20-23, how was life once again “unfair” to Joseph? 3 After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. “Place a gold chain, robe, and signet ring on Joseph. So I awoke. Joseph told Pharaoh that God was showing him that He would send seven years of ideal conditions in which crops would grow abundantly but they would be followed by seven years of famine. Life in Egypt depended upon the River Nile. F Pharaoh paced. Jesus said: "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Joseph is brought before Pharaoh, and lo and behold, he correctly interprets the dreams! 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: There, he successfully interprets the dreams of fellow prisoners (Gen 40), revealing his divinely sent capacity to understand, with God’s help, the meaning of dreams. Each with complete accuracy. Lesson Opening: Crazy Dreams Title: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams Scripture: Genesis 40-41 Target Age Group: 3 rd-5 th grade Supplies: Story sequence strips (download here) Optional Story Illustrations: The Story of Joseph Coloring Pages. Only as king will I be over you. But as soon as the butler was free he forgot to have compassion on someone else who was suffering wrongfully. 2 Peter 1:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as … [9] Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: [26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. But God had given him the dreams, and the servants of the devil could not understand them. Did Joseph take the credit for being able to interpret dreams? Why did God give Pharaoh two dreams with the same meaning? As soon as Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he began his work in Egypt.”                -Genesis 41:45-46 (MSG). For these were no ordinary dreams. Although he was white as a sheet from lack of sunlight the past 13 years, his calm manner intrigued him. Then the chief cupbearer brought to his attention a young Hebrew slave whom he met in prison. The dreams of Joseph are clearly prophetic in nature. We know so much more and have made so many advances in science and technology, which should help us to be better in figuring what dreams are all about. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams. There would be no rest until he discovered the meaning of these two dreams. So Pharaoh awoke. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." “In my second dream I saw seven healthy, full heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Joseph’s dreams (see Genesis 37:5–11), which clearly signified future leadership, only added to the resentment among the brothers. The ring was a sign of authority, a signet ring with their name on it, and they could seal things. In prison, Joseph did the work of interpreting dreams for these politically connected individuals. Joseph took all the credit for interpreting the dreams himself. “But God will give Pharaoh the answer he wants.” - Genesis 41:16. This evening I would like for us to study Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, and “The Four Dreams of Joseph.” II. We can ready ourselves to be used by God when we invest in knowing Him more. ‘A nd Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream last night, and no one is able to interpret it” [Genesis 41:15].. How Joseph Interpreted Dreams Joseph of Egypt is known for many things-- his coat, being sold into slavery, saving an entire people. After two years the king dreamed two dreams that he thought were important, and he called in all the wise men and magicians of his realm to explain what they meant. I’ve never seen such gaunt cows in all of Egypt! The Egyptian people had many wise men and magicians, some of whom sought to read fortunes by the stars. Then the butler remembered what he should have done upon his release from prison. For two more years Joseph was forgotten in the prison. ]; [Genesis:41:1-36 [1] And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. He was taken from the prison in three days and beheaded and hanged on a tree just as Joseph had interpreted his dream. When Pharaoh started to have strange dreams, his advisers couldn’t understand or interpret them. The only people who God has blessed with the ability to interpret dreams can do it and they weren't one of them. Because of the favour God had given Joseph with his keepers, he was put in charge of the new prisoners. [12] And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: [20] And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Check out how quickly Joseph’s brothers and parents were able to interpret Joseph’s dreams. Thirteen years after his brothers betrayed him, Joseph was brought before the head of Egypt and asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. Dreams Can Tell the Future and Be Prophetic . The cupbearer to Pharaoh remembered at this time how Joseph was able to interpret both his dream and the dream of Pharaoh’s chief baker while they were in jail and both interpretations came to pass exactly as they were told. [10] Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: God will still work his plan, and he can overcome all obstacles. [17] And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. And his eyes shimmered with intelligence. “What shall I do Joseph?”, Joseph’s gaze rested on the vegetable garden outside Pharaoh’s window. [16] When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy food, and after many tests, Joseph revealed himself to them. Impressed by this, Pharaoh called for Joseph to be brought from the jail. Genesis 41:1-8 tells us of Pharaoh’s dream and his inability to find someone able to interpret it. He was living so close to the Lord that he could claim oneness with Him, just as the Word speaks of the sanctified people: "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews:2:11). This matter is irrevocable, as signified by your recurring dream.”, Incredible. 5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. We should be able to interpret dreams so much better today than at any time in the past. Say: Joseph did not take credit for being able to interpret dreams. Your name shall be Zaphenath-Paneah, for God speaks and He lives! The seven empty heads of grain scorched by the east wind are also seven years. Interpreting dreams in the ancient world was a sophisticated profession involving technical “dream books” that listed elements of dreams and their meanings. It’s all the same dream. Seven years of famine are coming.”. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. Joseph did not take any credit for his ability to interpret dreams, but gave God all the glory. Joseph, too, had two dreams that were really one. Like Joseph, do others see God’s Spirit living in us? 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