Genesis 41:1-7, 14-16, 37-40

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted-thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

– Genesis 41:1-7

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he 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 he desires.”

– Genesis 41:14-16

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

– Genesis 41:37-40

Devotion

How big is your God? That’s not an easy question like: “What’s your favorite color?” “What’s your favorite food?” “What’s your favorite movie?” or “What’s your favorite football team?”. We all must face that question at some point in our lives though. Joseph has been in prison for years at this point and up comes the opportunity of a lifetime. He has the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. If Joseph interprets well then his life changes. If Joseph interprets poorly then it’s back to prison for Joseph. However, Joseph simply says, “I can’t, but God can”. That’s great faith in a big God. This great faith leads Joseph to promotion that begins to reveal what God’s plan for Joseph is.

At the beginning of Genesis 41, Joseph is stuck in prison. However, at the end he is the prime minister of Egypt. How much of this did he see in advance? Zero! Who did this? God did! Joseph’s story is a story of redemption where God is the hero. Here is a man who was sold into slavery, wrongfully convicted, stuck in prison but became royalty. Why? Because God is a big God who does big things in our life!

The Big Question

How does your view of God need to be adjusted so that you can trust God with every aspect of your life?

Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.