QT 12/15/2025 Gen 41:1-16, Learning to trust God and not our own actions

Genesis 41:1–16 (ESV) —

1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

 

NOTE: The cupbearer had forgotten Joseph for two years. Most likely he did not want to bother the Pharoah or anybody else with the concerns of a prisoner (Joseph). But God gives to Pharaoh, two very specific dreams. At this point the cupbearer speaks up, but it was God which set everything up. He used sinful actions (Potiphar's wife), forgetful actions (the cupbearer), and miraculous actions (two dreams of Pharoah) to bring about his will and ultimately the deliverance of the nation.

 

For his part, Joseph shows amazing courage and humility. This was his chance, he stood before the highest ranking individual he had ever known, and probably the most important man in the western world of his time. When Pharaoh asks him if he could interpret dreams, he basically replies "No," but followed by a quick "God will give an answer."

 

Having worked with numerous 4-star generals (to include a Chief of Staff of the Air Force) and a couple of Secretaries of the Air Force, the temptation is to build yourself up, or take credit for the work. It takes tremendous courage to answer "no" or to disagree/correct a comment made by the high ranking person. But I have found, that the person who can do that earns more trust from the high-ranking individual than someone who agrees or parrots back everything the high-ranking person says.

 

For the believer, we need to trust God that he is at work. We need to be obedient, honest, and humble. We don't need "to create our career," God will take care of those things.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I give honest answers even when it is not what others want to hear?
2. Am I trying to build my career or am I trusting God to take care of those things?

 

PRAYER: Father, we need to trust you in all areas of life. We need to take prudent steps and be responsible to the things you have given, but always in an attitude of trust and dependence on you, giving to you in prayer the ultimate results.