Genesis 41:1-44:17
“At the end of two years, Pharaoh had a dream” (Genesis 41:1).
Excerpt:
A Wise Man
“Look for a man both discreet and wise to put in charge of the land of Egypt. Appoint supervisors over the land to receive a twenty percent tax on the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should gather all the food produced during these good years coming up and set aside grain under the supervision of Pharaoh to be used for food in the cities, and they should store it. This will be the land’s food supply for the seven years of famine that will come over the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish as a result of the famine” (Genesis 41:33-36).
Joseph did not expect to receive the position he suggests to Pharaoh. He was an Egyptian prisoner, a Hebrew slave. He knew that he was not trained for such authority. He had no experience with that level of responsibility, and he was still only a young man. What he didn’t realize was that Elohim had prepared him for this exact position in this exact moment. He had been faithful in the little things of which he had been put in charge, now he would be put in charge of great things.
“His master said to him, ‘Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:23)
Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring, a symbol of his new position in Egypt. A signet ring could be worn on a finger or a chain around the neck; Joseph is given the gold chain. The signet ring would be evidence to all Egyptians and the surrounding nations that Joseph’s second in command only to Pharaoh.
Joseph is dressed in fine linen to represent his new status in Egypt and rides in the second best chariot. Everyone in Egypt “bows down” whenever he passes. When Jacob interpreted Joseph’s dream, he believed that he and Joseph’s mother (who would be resurrected from the dead) would bow down to him; however, the dream with the sun, moon, and stars foreshadowed Joseph’s position Egypt.
Joseph is also given an Egyptian name, Tzafanat-Pa’neach, that would allow him to be accepted in the Egyptian court. There are several possible meanings of his new name from ‘one who reveals mysteries’ to ‘savior of the world,’ but the most accepted meaning is ‘the god speaks and he lives.’
Joseph is given a woman named Asenath (Peril or Misfortune) as his wife. Though Joseph would not have chosen to marry an Egyptian woman, as the second highest ranking official in Egypt, he has come to realize that his life is now in Egypt. He will no longer return to the land of his father.
Elohim uses this marriage to strengthen Joseph’s position as a national leader. Asenath is the daughter of Poti-Fera (Ra has given), the priest of On, a priest of the sun god Ra. The city of On was known as Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. It was the worship center for Ra located ten miles northeast of modern-day Cairo. The high priest of On held the title ‘Greatest of Seers.’ When Joseph married Asenath, he joined the social class to which only national leaders belonged. This marriage arrangement showed Pharaoh’s confidence in Joseph, that he was a true ‘seer’ or prophet of the highest caliber.
Jacob Isra’el honors this marriage by giving Joseph’s first two children an inheritance with the sons of Isra’el. El Shaddai blesses Joseph’s offspring as they become an integral part of the history of Isra’el.
Selah
Joseph was not of the kingly lineage of Judah nor given the option of choosing long life or riches like Solomon. His brothers determined his path of life. He was given a wise and understanding heart and rendered justice in Egypt like no other leader. He was given great honor in the king’s court and posterity through his two sons. Like Joseph, Yeshua was rejected by his brothers, and he will soon return to render justice and restore the divided Isra’el.
“The Adversary took him up, showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world, and said to him, ‘I will give you all this power and glory. It has been handed over to me, and I can give it to whomever I choose. So if you will worship me, it will all be yours.’”
“Yeshua answered him, ‘The Tanakh says, Worship Adonai your God and serve him only.’”
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