Genesis 41:31-40

The plenty will no longer be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very grievous. And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man who is discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plenteous years. Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.

The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find anyone else like this—one in whom is the spirit of God?’ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’

Comment:

It is Joseph, of course, who is speaking in this passage, the culmination of his remarkable Hero's Journey from wealthy son to slave to house servant, then unjustly imprisoned until this appearance before the pharaoh. The story itself is intriguing, as the pharaoh decides on the spot to trust and elevate a man who interpreted the pharaoh's dream while in prison. But the metaphysical implications of the passage are deeper. Joseph is one of the Hebrew scripture characters who is a prefiguring of the later story of Jesus. His journey—with all its ups and downs—is our journey as well. Joseph began with a sense of arrogance about his spiritual gifts—forcing his dream interpretations on his father and brothers, who never asked for them. His story is a journey of surrender, finding the good in even the lowest circumstances. When his spiritual connection is called upon again—when he hears of the pharaoh's dream—he is able to interpret again. But this time he makes sure the pharaoh understands is it not Joseph who is interpreting. Joseph is simply—and profoundly—the channel through which divine energy flows. With this awareness, everything becomes possible. The pharaoh realizes that Joseph is "one in whom is the spirit of God" and knows he is deserving of his full trust and authority. Jesus surrendered even more deeply, becoming fully One with his spiritual Being. And, of course, he calls us to achieve the same.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed