Gen 41:25-49 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 41:25-32: 41:25-32 Both dreams predicted that seven years of abundant crops would be followed by seven years of severe famine .

Summary for Gen 41:25-32: 41:25-32 ^a Both dreams predicted that seven years of abundant crops would be followed by seven years of severe famine.
41:32 ^b The two similar dreams confirmed that the message was decreed by God and would soon ... happen, just as the dreams of the two prisoners were quickly fulfilled (40:5-23 ^c). Joseph’s own two dreams (37:5-11 ^d) were about to come true as well (41:37-46 ^e; 42:6-9 ^f).
Summary for Gen 41:33-36: 41:33-36 ^g God’s revelation demanded a response—it was not given just to satisfy curiosity about the future. Joseph’s advice about planning and preparing showed that he was the kind of intelligent and wise man that Pharaoh needed (41:37-40 ^h).

• Joseph instituted central planning and control with a supervisor, local managers, a 20 percent tax on grain, and a rationing system. Later wisdom literature (see study note on 37:2–50:26) teaches the principle of planning ahead rather than living just for the moment (see Prov 6:6-8 ⁱ; 27:12 ^j).
Summary for Gen 41:37-40: 41:37-40 ^k Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was the man for the job; he had the spirit of God and was intelligent and wise. God showed his sovereign rule in Egypt; Israelites who later read the account could be confident that God would save them as he had promised.
Summary for Gen 41:41-46: 41:41-46 ^l Joseph was made the acting ruler or manager of Egypt.
41:42 ^m Pharaoh’s signet ring had a seal used for signing documents. The seal was impressed in soft clay, which hardened and left a permanent impression of the ruler’s signature, which carried his authority. Numerous seals of this type have been found in archaeological digs.

• The linen clothing and gold chain signified Joseph’s new status as ruler.
Summary for Gen 41:43-44: 41:43-44 ⁿ Pharaoh made Joseph second-in-command; all the people had to submit to him. Cp. Ps 105:16-22 ^o.
41:45 ^p As token of Joseph’s new status, Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian name and a wife from a high-ranking family.

• On was a center for sun worship that came to be known as Heliopolis (“sun city”).
41:46 ^q He was thirty years old: It had been approximately thirteen years since his brothers had sold Joseph into slavery (37:2 ^r).

• he inspected the entire land of Egypt: As a wise manager, his first priority was to learn the scope of his responsibilities.
Summary for Gen 41:47-57: 41:47-57 ^s Pharaoh’s dreams were fulfilled in keeping with Joseph’s interpretation.