In the last lesson, Joseph had just been, made second in
command in all of Egypt.
We will pick up this lesson in
Genesis 41:42 “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it
upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen,
and put a gold chain about his neck;”
Genesis 41:43 “And he made him to ride in the second chariot
which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him
[ruler] over all the land of Egypt.”
God can and will elevate His own to the heights, if they are
humble and obedient to Him. This ring of the Pharaoh’s meant more than
a valuable gift. This was a signet ring. This was the seal of the king.
This ring gave Joseph great authority. The fine linen (probably white)
was a priestly robe. Pharaoh had noticed God’s hand in Joseph’s work.
The gold chain was worn by people of great distinction. Now, Joseph was
over Potiphar. These Egyptians were to bow to Joseph. We can see all
through this a type and shadow of Christ.
Genesis 41:44 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I [am] Pharaoh, and
without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of
Egypt.”
Genesis 41:45 “And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaph-nath-
paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah
priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt.”
“Zaphnathpaaneah” means the salvation of the world.
“Asenath” means she who is of Neith.
This daughter was of a family of a priestly order. These
Egyptians were sun worshippers. This wife, however, was believed by
many to be a Hebrew. Joseph’s power was not localized. It was for all
of Egypt.
Genesis 41:46 “And Joseph [was] thirty years old when he stood
before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of
Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Here, again, is a type of Jesus.
Jesus was thirty years old when He began his ministry.
Joseph began this work when he was thirty.
Both on orders from God.
Genesis 41:47 “And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought
forth by handfuls.”
Genesis 41:48 “And he gathered up all the food of the seven
years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the
cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city,
laid he up in the same.”
Joseph had a chance to carry out the plans he had outlined to
Pharaoh. The crops were plentiful. Joseph began to store up for the
famine ahead.
Genesis 41:49 “And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea,
very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number.”
Genesis 41:50 “And unto Joseph were born two sons before the
years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest
of On bare unto him.”
Joseph had made good progress, now he had two sons.
Genesis 41:51 “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn
Manasseh: For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all
my father’s house.”
Joseph had been in Egypt over thirteen years. Joseph had put all
the trials and problems of these years behind him. Everything was going
fine. In good times and bad, Joseph praised God. He had even forgotten
the hurt of his brothers’ selling him.
Genesis 41:52 “And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For
God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
“Manasseh” means causing to forget.
“Ephraim” means double fruit.
Genesis 41:53 “And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in
the land of Egypt, were ended.”
Genesis 41:54 “And the seven years of dearth began to come,
according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in
all the land of Egypt there was bread.”
This famine was not just in Egypt, it was in all the surrounding
countries, as well. There was food in Egypt, because Joseph prepared
by following God’s orders.
Genesis 41:55 “And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the
people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the
Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.”
Pharaoh had given this authority to Joseph. He would not overrule
Joseph.
Genesis 41:56 “And the famine was over all the face of the earth:
And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians;
and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.”
Not only had Joseph saved food for Egypt’s people, he now was
adding to Pharaoh’s wealth. He was selling food to starving people.
Genesis 41:57 “And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to
buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.”
Joseph was feeding many countries around Egypt and making money
for the Pharaoh. We will see in the next lesson, that the dream Joseph
had many years ago about the sun, moon, and stars bowing before Joseph,
would indeed come true.