Gen 41:17-21 | MHM | STEP | Genesis 41:17-32: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream This passage records Joseph standing before Pharaoh and explaining the meaning of his strange dreams. Pharaoh’s dreams were about the future of Egypt’s food supply, and God chose to warn Pharaoh ahead of time. Joseph shows that only God can reveal the meaning of such dreams. The message is that times of plenty and times of trouble can quickly follow one another, so people should be wise and prepared. God’s wisdom and care for people are seen in giving this warning, and Joseph’s faithfulness is shown in giving God all the credit. v. 17-21 : Pharaoh describes his dream to Joseph. He saw seven fat cows come out of the river Nile and feed in the meadow, followed by seven ugly, thin cows. The thin cows ate the fat cows, but did not look any better afterward ( v. 17-21 ). In Egypt, the river was very important because it provided water for the land. If the river flooded enough, there would be plenty of food. If not, there would be a shortage (Zechariah 14:18 ). This dream showed how much Egypt depended on the river, but really, everything depends on God.

‏ Genesis 41:17-21

Genesis 41:17-32: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream

This passage records Joseph standing before Pharaoh and explaining the meaning of his strange dreams. Pharaoh’s dreams were about the future of Egypt’s food supply, and God chose to warn Pharaoh ahead of time. Joseph shows that only God can reveal the meaning of such dreams. The message is that times of plenty and times of trouble can quickly follow one another, so people should be wise and prepared. God’s wisdom and care for people are seen in giving this warning, and Joseph’s faithfulness is shown in giving God all the credit.

v. 17-21: Pharaoh describes his dream to Joseph. He saw seven fat cows come out of the river Nile and feed in the meadow, followed by seven ugly, thin cows. The thin cows ate the fat cows, but did not look any better afterward (v. 17-21 ^a). In Egypt, the river was very important because it provided water for the land. If the river flooded enough, there would be plenty of food. If not, there would be a shortage (Zechariah 14:18 ^b). This dream showed how much Egypt depended on the river, but really, everything depends on God.

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