August 1.
Pharaoh’s Fitful Dreams

Genesis 41:8

In the morning his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof, and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Two years have passed since Joseph has seen the chief butler, who is back at the palace. Then Pharaoh has a dream. After the first dream, he woke up, thought about it, and went back to sleep. But he dreamed again. The second dream kept him up all night long. Pharaoh called in all the great men of his kingdom and told them to interpret his dream. However, none were able. They saw that Pharaoh was getting upset so the butler said, “You know my lord, I do remember when I was in prison some years ago, there was a Hebrew that interpreted my dream which came to pass exactly as he had said.”

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph and told him the dreams. Recall that before Joseph left his father’s home, he had two dreams. While in prison, the baker and butler both had dreams. So two and two is four. Now Pharaoh had two dreams. You see God gradually elevates you to higher heights. In the first dream, Pharaoh saw seven fat cows come up out of the Nile River followed by seven lean cows that ate the seven fat cows. In his second dream, Pharaoh saw seven full ears of corn followed by seven scrawny ears of corn that swallowed up the fat ears. Joseph immediately told Pharaoh that God is the interpreter. He did not elevate himself. The first thing that came out of his mouth was praises about God. If you want to be successful in life, start your conversation off with praise. When you begin a new job, start your conversation with your fellow workers with praise for the Lord. When asked, “How you doing?” you should be able to say, “The Lord brought me.” If somebody complements you say, “The Lord taught me; it is the Lord who has kept me.”