If I had the opportunity to meet the President of the United States, that would be pretty amazing. It wouldn’t matter if it was the current one, or a future one. Simply being able to meet the most powerful person in the world would be a moment of a lifetime. Sometimes I think about what I would say to him or her. “I know your job is stressful. Please make the best decisions that you can for our country. I’m praying for you.” I wonder if I would leave an impression that would last longer than anyone else who gets a few seconds with the President.
Joseph’s time finally came. It was out of the blue.
“Hey you, Joseph, come with us, we’re taking you to Pharaoh. He has requested to speak with you.”
“Pharaoh has requested to speak with ME? Why?”
“He’s had some dreams he is wondering if you can interpret. The butler told him you could do it.”
Oh. So it had finally happened. The interaction two years prior was finally coming to fruition.
Genesis 41:14 – Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
It stands out to me that Joseph took the time to clean himself up. He didn’t go in immediately to Pharaoh, but took the time to make sure that he was presentable, and that his appearance would be favorable. A wise move for sure with his future hanging on the outcome of the interaction. Appearances matter.
Genesis 41:15 – And Pharaoh said to 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.”
Pharaoh and Joseph are introduced. Picture the interest from everyone else in the court. The dreams had been so important to Pharaoh that he had run through all the wise men and magicians trying to figure out what the dream was all about. It was a big deal to him, and everyone must have been talking about it.
“Have you heard that the king had a dream and is trying to figure out what it means?”
“Yeah, apparently nobody has any idea. What’s such a big deal about a dream, anyway?”
“I don’t know, but this REALLY MATTERS to Pharaoh. It sure makes the priests and magicians look bad not to be able to interpret a dream.”
Joseph walks into the court, and all eyes are on him. Everyone is sizing him up. “Who is this guy? He’s not even Egyptian. What if he’s not even educated?”
When asked if he can interpret dreams, Joseph gives a telling yes/no answer. ‘No, I don’t have some natural ability to tell dreams.’ (Eyebrows around the court must have started dancing at that comment, and glances were exchanged). ‘But, yes, I know God, and interpretations come from him.’
It was humiliating to Pharaoh to turn away from the magicians and wise men of his kingdom to consult an alien and a slave, but he was ready to accept the lowliest service if his troubled mind might find relief. – Patriarchs and Prophets p. 220
Pharaoh studied Joseph. He hadn’t wanted to be in a place where he needed to call him, but his desire to know the dream was so great that he was willing to cross this barrier. He told Joseph the dreams.
Sometimes we don’t pursue our own dreams because our pride won’t let us. Something stands in the way, and ego will have to suffer in order to get to the other side. So often, it seems, that when pride is laid aside, we are finally able to get what we truly desire.
Joseph told the interpretation and shared a plan to avert the disaster. The solution was immense and unprecedented, but the interpretation was too clear to doubt.
The interpretation was so reasonable and consistent, and the policy which it recommended was so sound and shrewd, that its correctness could not be doubted. But who was to be entrusted with the execution of the plan? Upon the wisdom of this choice depended the nation’s preservation. The king was troubled. For some time the matter of the appointment was under consideration. – Patriarchs and Prophets p. 221
At the end of the deliberation Joseph was chosen to lead. After so many years of suffering, servitude, and personal disasters, to be exalted to such a position must have made his head spin at first. Everything that he had done and had gone through was justified. His fidelity, his loyalty, his faithfulness was paid off in a moment of splendor before one of the most powerful nations of the world. God had set a deliverer in place to avert a disaster of the natural world.
But there was more to come. Not all was resolved.
I’m grateful for Joseph’s faithfulness before Pharaoh.
Laying Foundations 