Daily Devotional | In Pharaoh’s Court

I have never been gifted at working with my hands. In high school art class, the teacher gave an award to every student at the end of the school year. The award I received was the “Willing to Try Anything” award.

In Genesis 41, we find Pharaoh troubled by a series of disturbing dreams. To discover their meaning, he also was willing to try anything. He gathered top experts to ask for their interpretation (v. 8)—these were the smartest and most educated in the kingdom. These men had risen through the ranks until they worked as advisors to Pharaoh, but they were baffled (v. 8). Perhaps sensing Pharaoh’s desperation, the chief cupbearer remembered that his former prison mate might be a potential source of help (v. 11).

We should not miss how strange it was that Pharaoh actually listened to this advice and called for Joseph (v. 14). This unexpected deliverance of Joseph demonstrates both the failure of the wisdom of Egypt and God’s ability to orchestrate his release from prison. When the cupbearer “remembered” Joseph, it was really God who remembered Joseph and delivered him (v. 9).

When Joseph was praised by Pharaoh as one skilled in dream interpretation, Joseph immediately gave the credit to God (v. 16). Despite all the suffering he had endured, Joseph still affirmed his faith in God’s sovereignty over his life, over Pharaoh, and even over the weather for the next fourteen years (vv. 25–32).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty...I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11–13).