Genesis 41: 38-46a
Pharaoh, king of Egypt, has had a couple of dreams that concern him, and none of his magicians or wise men have any idea of what they can mean.
Then his forgiven Head Cupbearer finally faces his shameful episode, and reveals that another prisoner can interpret dreams.
So Joseph is rushed into Pharaoh's presence and put to the test, which he passes with flying colors. Then he takes a calculated risk, and gives this king some advise he did not ask for--and his boldness is paying off.
(38) Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is a Divine spirit?"
Pharaoh admits that God's Spirit is in Joseph.
(39) So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are.
Now Pharaoh is acknowledging Joseph's Lord God, and recognizes that because he listens to Him, He has given Joseph wisdom and discernment.
(40) "You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne will I be greater than you." (41) Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."
Pharaoh is appointing Joseph into the office of Vizier to the king, the second-in-command.
(42) Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand,
This signet ring is the king's credit card, it is the seal that legalizes all purchases and declarations and edicts. This is the financial power of the kingdom.
and clothed him in garments of fine linen
Only the king himself and his highest officials were able to wear clothing as fine as this.
and put the gold necklace around his neck.
Egyptian Pharaohs often put gemstones and amulets in the gold of their jewelry, to ward off evil spirits, protect their wealth, and bring good luck. Certain colors, designs and materials were associated with supernatural powers and deities.
So when the king put "the" gold necklace on Joseph, he was intending to give him protection and let him show the authority he was giving him.
(43) He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, "Bow the knee!" And he set him over all the land of Egypt.
So, all of the Egyptian populace were commanded to give Joseph respect, honor and obeisance.
(44) Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
Pharaoh gave Joseph dictatorial authority over the personal lives of every citizen in Egypt. No one would be permitted to come or go or work or do whatever without Joseph's okay.
(45) Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-Paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt.
The name Pharaoh gave Joseph means, "God speaks--He lives," because Joseph's God must be alive to tell him what the dreams mean. And, of course, he must have a wife! So he gave him the daughter of the next most important man in his kingdom.
And Joseph accepted all of these accouterments and the position, and started to exercise his authority over the people.
(46) Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. ...
Joseph was only seventeen when was kidnapped and carried to Egypt, so he essentially grew up here in this foreign land. Now it's thirteen years later, and God has prepared him culturally, emotionally, and spiritually for this weight of authority he now bears.
O my Father, You never do put anything on any of us, that You haven't prepared us for. You put our feet on the path that You have determined for each of us, and You take our hand as we tread the road. And as we encounter problems, and sorrows, and disappointments in life, and stumble over the rocks and get stuck in the ruts, You continue to hold us up, so that we won't fall.
O Father, You prepared Joseph to change history. And You have prepared others to lead nations, and discover great discoveries, and write important books and documents, and to rear and bring up the leaders in this world, all who shape history. And You are still guiding our human story into the great saga of Mankind, to flow according to how You have planned it all.
My Father, please raise up Your children to be the leaders in the world, to lead nations, to lead cultures, to lead children to grow into Your adults. To lead the attitudes and thinking processes and world-views of the world. Father, there have been so many evil people who have led so many away from Your ways.
Father, send out Your children as Your messengers and missionaries, to tell every living person in the whole world about who You really are, and to reach even the leaders of the world, as Joseph reached Pharaoh. Let everyone in all the nations have the knowledge and understanding to make a clear and informed decision to receive Your gracious and generous free gift.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
