The Story of Joseph, Part 6 (Genesis 41)

Do dreams still have a meaning in our day? Not usually, because God now speaks to us through Jesus and the Bible; but back in the time when Joseph lived, God often revealed future events through dreams. Two years after Joseph had interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cup bearer and chief baker, Pharaoh himself had two dreams. In his first dream he was standing by the Nile River, and out of the river came up seven very fat and healthy cows. After that seven ugly and skinny cows came up out of the river and ate the seven fat and healthy cows. In his second dream Pharaoh saw seven good ears of corn growing on one stalk followed by seven thin ears of corn growing on one stalk. The seven thin ears then ate the seven good ears of corn. I think we would call his dreams very weird indeed; yet Pharaoh knew they had a meaning, and he was very concerned about it. The king told his dreams to all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, but they could not interpret them for him. The cup bearer then told Pharaoh how Joseph in prison had rightly interpreted his dream and the dream of the chief baker. Pharaoh called for Joseph right away and said, “I have heard that you are able to understand a dream and interpret it.” Joseph answered, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Boys and girls, can you figure out the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams about the cows and ears of corn? Think about it, and tomorrow we’ll learn what Joseph told the king about his dreams.