Joseph's Gift

by Mary Vee
Genesis 41:14-

Joseph sat down for the first time in hours. He'd spent most of the night with one interruption from the prisoners after another. His eyes drooped. He heard himself snore, but he didn't care. Sleep--finally.

A loud bang suddenly woke him. Joseph's eyes popped open. He looked around the drafty, torch-lit prison and realized the captain of the guard stood at the window. Joseph bolted to the outer prison door. "Yes, Captain?"

"Pharaoh summoned you." The door lock chinked.

"Me? Pharaoh wants me?" Oh no. What have I done?

The guard yanked the heavy door open and signaled Joseph to come forward. "Let's go. I'm going to miss you. No one's done a better job of headin' up the prisoners. No matter, you'll have to be cleaned up to make an appearance before Pharaoh."

Joseph followed the guard through the outer prison court. Fresh air filled his lungs for the first time in years. He shaded his eyes from the bright sun. On the other side of the court stood a small structure. Three servants ran out to greet them.

The captain nudged Joseph forward. "Clean this man up. Give him clean clothes. He's to go before Pharaoh as soon as possible. Get moving."

The servants bowed. "Yes, Captain."

Although Joseph had to wear Egyptian clothing as a slave in Potifer's house, he never liked it. Joseph looked down at himself. The clothes the servants dressed him in were worse. How can they wear these clothes?

The servants escorted him out to the captain. "He's ready, Captain."

The guard escorted Joseph to Pharaoh's throne room. They stood at the door until given a signal to approach. Joseph kept his eyes lowered. Who are all these people? Is this a trial? The guard pressed Joseph forward. Joseph kept in step as they past a crowd of men. The captain of the guard stopped a short distance before the throne.

Joesph bowed. The men behind him whispered. What are they saying?

Pharaoh quieted the men. "Joseph, I have had a dream and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it."

Joseph raised his head slightly. "It is not in me to do so. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Pharaoh nodded. He studied Joseph for a moment then told him his dreams. "What is the interpretation?"

Joseph paused to listen to God. "The dreams of Pharaoh are one. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years, the dreams are one. And the seven thin cows are seven years as are the seven diseased heads of grain are seven years of famine. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise. At that time all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt and the famine will deplete the land. The famine will be very severe. The dream was repeated twice because the thing is established by God and God will shortly bring it to pass."

"Now, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man and set him over the land f Egypt. Also, appoint officers to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh. Then that food shall be a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine that the land may not perish."

What will Pharaoh say? Will he be angry that Joseph gave advice after interpreting the dreams without being asked? What will happen to Joseph? If you had been Joseph, what would you have done?