Genesis 131 – Encountering a Dream – Part 3

The Word of God is from Genesis, Chapter 41, Verses 1 to 16.

 

"When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when suddenly seven cows, sleek and fat, came up out of the river and began to graze in the tall grass. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside the cows on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, full and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up. The seven thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, 'Today I am reminded of my negligence. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and our dreams had different meanings. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.' So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. When Joseph had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it.' 'I cannot do it,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, 'but God will give Pharaoh the answer of peace.'" Amen.

 

Joseph's Heart in Affliction: The Word Refined Him

The period Joseph was imprisoned was a maximum of about 13 to 14 years. During this time in Canaan, his grandfather Isaac passed away. It is presumed that Isaac died just before Joseph became prime minister—the year before he was released from prison—meaning Joseph was unable to even attend his grandfather's burial.

 

The state of Joseph's heart is well documented in Psalm 105. While we cannot know the specific conditions of his prison life, the text hints at how difficult and painful his circumstances were. The Scripture records that his feet were hurt with fetters (shackles) and his neck was bound with an iron collar (chains). However, this passage likely carries a symbolic meaning. Since Joseph was trusted by the jailer and managed the prison affairs, it is unlikely he was physically chained throughout.

 

Instead, this verse suggests the deep wounds and misery inflicted not on his body, but on his soul and spirit, his heart. The next verse states, "the word of the LORD tested [or refined] him." This confirms the issue was internal, centered on his heart. In deep, hopeless despair, what was his soul contemplating? It was at that time that the two high-ranking officials were imprisoned, and Joseph interpreted their dreams, resulting in one being restored to office and the other executed.

 

Seeking 'Hesed' from the Chief Cupbearer

After the dream interpretations came to pass, Joseph made a request to the chief cupbearer: "When you are restored, please mention my case to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison." The act of making the request itself may not have been wrong, but the problem lay in Joseph's mindset.

 

It is not wrong for us to use our wisdom to try to solve problems. However, when Joseph asked the cupbearer to "help me," he asked for assistance based on "your Hesed (lovingkindness)" once the cupbearer was successful. Hesed is the most frequently used word to describe God's covenant love for His children. Here, we see that Joseph regarded the cupbearer almost like God. He placed his hope in a man, asking him to "show grace and save me." Ultimately, while Joseph confessed that "interpretations belong to God," he was practically relying on a man.

 

The Answer After Two Years: Human Forgetfulness and God's Sovereignty

Two years passed after that incident. As time often fades things in a drama, two years went by, and the cupbearer completely forgot Joseph.

 

Then, Pharaoh had his dreams—the seven cows and the seven heads of grain. The dream of the ugly, gaunt cows eating the sleek, fat ones, and the thin, withered grain swallowing the healthy, full grain.

 

This could have been dismissed as mere rambling, but the dream troubled Pharaoh. The memory persisted, causing him anxiety. As King, Pharaoh summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, demanding an interpretation. Like in the time of Daniel, courtiers interpreted the King's command at the risk of their lives. Since a wrong interpretation could mean death, no one could interpret the dream for various reasons.

 

Joseph's Clear Change: 'Not I, But God'

It was then that the chief cupbearer finally remembered his situation. 'That's right, Joseph interpreted my dream exactly as it happened!' He recommended Joseph to the King, and Pharaoh immediately ordered Joseph to be summoned. Joseph was quickly brought out of the dungeon and stood before Pharaoh.

 

Joseph's reaction before the King is extremely important. When the cupbearer recommended Joseph, he did not mention God at all. He merely reported, "This man is remarkably good at solving dreams. He is an effective person." Intrigued, Pharaoh asked Joseph, "I hear you can interpret dreams well?"

 

To this, Joseph firmly replied:

 

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer of peace."

 

Superficially, this answer does not seem very different from what he told the cupbearer earlier. Joseph had told the cupbearer, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me your dreams."

 

When he previously told the official that "interpretations belong to God," the emphasis was indeed on God. However, in reality, he appealed to the 'person' whose dream he interpreted, relying on that person's kindness, not God's grace, for his release. The emphasis was placed on his interpretive ability, and he relied on the person whose dream had come true. That is why the invitation, "Tell me your dreams," followed.

 

But what he says to Pharaoh is distinctly different. He does not ask the King, "Tell me the dream." He unconditionally denies his own ability: "I am not the one who can solve this dream." Instead, he declares, "God will give the answer." The attitude is similar but shows a clear transformation. "Not I" is now his true confession, replacing the earlier "Tell me the dream."

 

The Essence of Wisdom: God Does It

Some might argue, "He still listened to the dream and interpreted it; what's the difference?" It is different. Joseph repeated a core statement three times after hearing the dream, revealing how fundamentally his perspective had changed.

 

In verse 25, Joseph declares: "Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.'" In verse 28, he states, "I have told Pharaoh that God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do," and in verse 32, he emphatically repeats: "The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will soon bring it to pass."

 

The subject of the action remains God, not himself. His own interpretation is no longer the main subject.

 

Joseph was highly exalted by Pharaoh and all Egyptians as prime minister. People saw him as a wise and intelligent person. Because he interpreted the dream perfectly and satisfied Pharaoh, people celebrated him for his interpretive skill.

 

However, the wisdom Joseph now understands, and the wisdom the Bible speaks of, is fundamentally different. His skill in interpretation is not his wisdom. The precise, clever content of the interpretation is not his wisdom. Even the successful fulfillment of the interpretation is not what he considers wisdom.

 

The Scripture clearly records Joseph's confession: "God has firmly decided this matter, and God will bring it to pass." That is Joseph's focus. The dream, the dreamer, the interpreter, his interpretation, or his skill—none of these are the center. God alone planned this event, decided it, and brings it to completion. That is where wisdom is fulfilled. That is wisdom, and God must receive the glory.

 

The World's Focus and Joseph's Low Estate

Though neither Pharaoh nor Joseph fully knew it, through this event, God was clearly speaking the message of the Gospel: that He would save Israel and, ultimately, save all humanity through Jesus Christ. Even if Pharaoh and Joseph did not understand everything, God's history of salvation would proceed.

 

Pharaoh and all of Egypt were astonished by Joseph and exalted him. This is natural, but we must deeply reflect on it. The world always seeks to exalt man, no matter what happens. Joseph repeatedly said, "God is doing this," but Pharaoh never said, "Oh, it must be that God." He continued to exalt Joseph. No matter how much you talk about God, the world is more interested in human achievement.

 

Isn't this true for us all? When we are taught not to love the world, we often reply, "I don't love the world; I just like it a little." When we talk about our children, what we end up boasting about is how clever or successful our grandchildren are. We only make the confession, "The Lord has raised this child to this point," occasionally when we pray. It is so natural for us to admire and exalt ourselves and others. The world is like this, and because it seems so obvious, we often overlook it.

 

Joseph's Reality: The Lowest Social Strata

Now, we must consider Joseph's true status. First, Joseph was the most vile slave. The man called before Pharaoh was a slave. Not just a slave, but a prisoner-slave. That alone is the lowest status, but he was also a Hebrew, a foreign slave, not an Egyptian. His social position was, literally, the absolute bottom.

 

A Contrite Heart: The Prepared One Used by God

Furthermore, what was the condition of his heart? His status was wretched, but was his inner self peaceful? We might wish that Joseph had left a Psalm, praising the Lord with "Hallelujah!" from prison. Instead, the Psalm portrays his soul as bound with chains, trapped in misery, agony, and despair much more vividly.

 

The Scripture clearly states, "the word of the LORD tested him." 'Refining' is like heating and hammering metal repeatedly to temper iron into a sword. The Bible is essentially saying, "I am putting him through hardship right now."

 

So, while Joseph certainly received comfort from God's Word, he must have been enduring immense struggle and deep internal conflict under the weight of this severe testing. If we could have visited Joseph in prison, instead of finding him praying devoutly, he was likely sitting and crying out: "God, what is going on? I would have been better off being rebuked at home! I wore a coat of many colors, but here I am in a prisoner's uniform!"

 

What was the state of his faith? How much worry and conflict did he face? The Psalm expresses it as, "his soul was held by chains." While it doesn't say he complained, he must have been deeply contemplating who God is amidst profound doubt and deep distress.

 

He was depressed and nearly hopeless. A man confined to prison for 13 to 14 years with no means of escape, a Hebrew sinner consumed by pain and conflict—this is the precise image of Joseph.

 

We know the story of Joseph as a faithful man who forgave his brothers and succeeded as prime minister. That knowledge may comfort us, but Joseph's heart at the time was far from peaceful. He was likely crying out: "Who is weaker than I am? Who is in greater despair?" Yet, it is precisely this man that God calls forward to stand before Pharaoh and accomplish His work.

 

The Person God Uses: Not Worldly Conditions, But Poverty of Spirit

When we ask, "What kind of person does God use?" most people answer, "God uses prepared people." This is not wrong. But the question is, what does 'prepared' mean?

 

When we think of a 'prepared' person like the Apostle Paul, we often assume: 'He studied under Gamaliel, was a Hebrew of Hebrews, and possessed Roman citizenship, which is why God could use him so extensively for missions.' Consequently, we believe our children need good schools and jobs to be prepared for God's work, claiming all this effort is for God's glory.

 

We recognize that God's providence can use our circumstances and backgrounds. But is that the full meaning of 'prepared' in the Bible? Joseph's case suggests otherwise.

 

The Apostle Paul never claimed his Roman citizenship was the reason he was effective for God. After listing all his worldly achievements, what did he say? "I count all these things as loss [garbage]." Yet, are we not trying to prepare for God with these very "garbage-like" things? Clearly, we are missing something essential.

 

Joseph's story is in line with 1 Corinthians 1, which says:

 

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him."

 

Who, then, is the truly prepared person?

 

Joseph Stood Before Pharaoh Because of Poverty of Heart and God Alone

You and I prefer the wealthy, the famous, the intelligent, and the titled. When people we respect socially become Christians, we think, "Even that person believed in Jesus." This is fundamentally unbiblical.

 

While we are grateful for their conversion, our thinking is deeply mistaken about who God prepares and how He works. To think, "God must be doing great things because He gave that person wealth," is a huge misunderstanding. While we appreciate that God works through them, doesn't the Bible say that what matters is not their flesh or their possessions, but the poverty of their heart?

 

Who could have a heart poorer than Joseph's right now? He was grasping for any straw; there was absolutely nothing left in his life to rely on. He tried to hold onto the cupbearer, but it failed. Even resisting temptation and obeying God's Word did not save him from prison. To put it simply: none of your zealous service, good deeds, or efforts to live righteously can make you stand boldly before God. Joseph did not stand before Pharaoh because of those things.

 

Joseph stood before Pharaoh because he was a Hebrew slave, had nothing left, and was a person with unceasing internal struggle and deep melancholy. He was without hope and did not know how to live. That is why he was now placed before Pharaoh under God's hand.

 

He had no choice but to abandon all his own methods and cling to the realization that only God remained. He understood that salvation and entry into God's kingdom are impossible unless we look to and cling to God alone. It is not by anything he possessed.

 

God Seeks the Contrite Heart

You see, we mistakenly believe Joseph boasted of becoming prime minister, or of resisting temptation, managing a household, running a prison, or interpreting dreams. None of that saved him. He was saved only because he began to realize who he was and had nothing to rely on but God alone.

 

Look at David's life. The moment of his greatest glory was perhaps when he defeated Goliath with a slingshot. Was his faith at its best when the nation hailed him? Yet, in the Psalms, David's many songs never once recount the killing of Goliath.

 

But what story does appear? The story of Bathsheba. When he was broken, realizing his true self before God, he confessed: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

 

Saying, "God, I was a little better this week. I read one verse, and I attended worship. I tried to forgive the person who wronged me." Such things cannot make us stand before God. Instead, we must confess: "Lord, I tried, but I have no power to do anything. It is this hard to love someone; it is this hard to live day by day; it seems this impossible to fight my own desires. Is it this difficult to fight my heart that so desperately wants to boast and be recognized?" Lord, I truly cannot do it by myself. Only the Father can. Please help me. A contrite heart—that is the person God uses. That is the prepared person.

 

Poverty of Spirit: Cannot Live Without God

The person who understands the contrite heart is the truly prepared person. Your heart is (in a negative sense) too rich. The heart must be poor, meaning you cannot live without the Lord. But your life is too comfortable without God. You have no need to pray or cling to Him. This is the most dangerous state, yet we find it comfortable—how ironic!

 

I am not saying you must constantly seek difficulty. Even when you are prosperous and everything goes well, your heart must remain poor. Even if your business is successful, your health is good, and you face no problems, your heart must be poor. You must have the confession: "God, I live by Your grace. The opening of this path, the closing of that one, and my joy, my pain, my struggle—all of it is Your grace."

 

Approaching the Lord with Boldness

We realize that our lives are much the same. We are often so disappointed in ourselves. We think, "How can a person like me do the Lord's work? Can I even pray properly?" We rush to retreat, thinking, "To speak of my faith, I am too ashamed to call myself a Christian." This is an excuse we frequently use.

 

Setting faith aside, what work can you do in the church? What about your personality? Not many say, "I have a tailor-made personality for the church." The church often feels like it demands extroversion from introverts. Introverted people are at a loss, sometimes even praying: "Lord, please change this part of my personality to be more outgoing."

 

Friends, when you are weak, when you are in a state of a contrite heart, that is when God places you before Him. That is when God's power works. God's work is not Him merely adding a spoonful to what I am already doing well. It is God doing the work, and I merely add a spoonful. But we often think the opposite.

 

Jeremiah clearly states: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches." Then what should we boast of? "Let him boast of this: that he understands and knows Me [God]." Our total asset is knowing God.

 

The next time you are asked to list your total assets, do not write down stocks or savings. Go to the bank and write: "My entire asset is GOD." If questioned, brazenly say, "This is the truth." Is that not who we are?

 

We struggle even to pray and shed tears while reading the Word, finding prayer itself difficult. Yet, why do we persist? Why do we struggle to pray and read the Word? Because we know God, we know the Father, and we know that He alone is our helper, and we have no one else but Him.

 

Joseph's Confession: God Will Answer Pharaoh's 'Shalom'

Pharaoh dreams two similar dreams. Joseph also had two identical dreams but did not understand their significance then. Now, with Pharaoh's two dreams, Joseph finally grasps the meaning. I feel a surge of relief when I hear this part of Joseph's story, because he is essentially talking about his own life.

 

Joseph says: "Pharaoh's dream is one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. God has firmly decided this, and God will soon bring it to pass." What do the two repeated dreams in Joseph's life signify? That God had firmly decided his path and would soon bring it to pass. But what did He do? He was captured, thrown into prison, and now facing life and death!

 

He must have realized, "This is the thing God has quickly brought to pass in my life." The dream he interpreted for Pharaoh spoke of seven good years followed by seven years of total ruin. It was not a fundamentally different message from what Joseph experienced. But the difference is that Joseph never imagined the depth of the trial. He realized, "This is what God has quickly brought to pass in my life; He has humbled me like this, made me realize who I am before Him, and enabled me to know Him." I can only wonder how astonished Joseph must have been, thinking, "This is my story," as he spoke to Pharaoh. This insight adds a fascinating layer to Joseph's narrative.

 

Not I, But Christ In Me: Your "Shalom"

He has now become one who knows God. And he speaks to Pharaoh, saying, "God will give Pharaoh a peaceable answer," or as some translations suggest, "God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." While that translation is not wrong, I believe it is better to convey the literal meaning of the original text:

 

"God will answer Pharaoh's Shalom."

 

That is, the answer God gives will be Pharaoh's Shalom (peace, wellness). Whatever the nature of the answer, it will become his peace.

 

God will interpret and answer Joseph's life, and that answer will become Joseph's Shalom. Even his life in prison, the darkest time, would become Joseph's Shalom.

 

You may nod in agreement up to this point, but now let us insert your name. In your life, there are moments from the past you wish you could erase, current moments of distress, and times so difficult that you think, "God, please just let me breathe." Yet, what does the scripture say? "God will make your life Shalom. He has been making it, and He is making it now." God will give a righteous answer, a loving answer, a just answer, and He will accomplish His history of salvation. Because, it is not just God's Shalom, but your Shalom that is being fulfilled.

 

A Contrite Heart, Yet Bold Faith

Therefore, my beloved, we must know the contrite heart, and when we realize that we are unworthy to stand before God, we must not collapse. Instead, we must learn, like Joseph, that "it is precisely then that God sets me before Pharaoh." It is then that you can finally and shamelessly approach the Lord.

 

Please, do not try to be a decent and respectable person before God. Be a person who is broken and pitiful before Him, and yet approaches Him shamelessly and boldly. "Lord, I am nothing. I am a slave among Hebrews, and I have nothing to offer, but will you listen to one thing I do have? I believe in God. I know the cross of Jesus."

 

A Life as Beautiful and Precious as Christ

The title of a hymn we once sang, "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me," perfectly mirrors Joseph's confession, "Not I, but through God." The lyrics say:

 

The gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer, and heaven’s peace and power live in me. He is the richest gift, that heaven could bestow.

 

You may receive great blessings in the future—you may win the lottery or your children may achieve great success. On that day, please remember this humble word: No matter what greatness you receive later, you have already received something greater: Jesus Christ. You will never receive anything better than this for the rest of your life.

 

My joy, my righteousness, my freedom, and unfailing love, deep and unending peace are mine. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand, my hope is Jesus only.

 

My life is wholly yours, O what a wondrous, holy thing. I can sing that all is mine, through Christ who dwells in me.

 

The final verse concludes:

 

With every waking moment I will serve You, Lord, You promised to lead me home. Till I stand before Your glorious throne, I know You make me new each day. My only hope is Jesus, all glory to Him I give. When my race is over, my lips will cry, I lived, not I, but Christ in me. I lived by Christ in me. Not I, but Christ in me shall be my song.

 

Your life has become a life as precious and beautiful as Christ Himself.

 

Let us pray.

 

The night is dark, yet I will not waver. The Lord is always at my side. I will find strength and joy when I am weak, for when I am weak, Your power is made perfect. O I will hold on to Jesus, my Shepherd who protects me, who leads me even through the valley of the shadow of death. The dark night has vanished, and I will be victorious, through Christ in me. O Lord, help us to realize and even to boast of our weakness. Lord, let us truly learn the contrite heart. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.