Today's reading is remarkable, among other things, because it tells how the cupbearer remembered Joseph. True, this required two years and circumstances favorable to the petitioner's career...
Today's reading is remarkable, among other things, because it tells how the cupbearer remembered Joseph. True, this required two years and circumstances favorable to the petitioner's career (vv. 1, 8-14). Now, when Pharaoh himself needed an interpreter of dreams and no one around him could help, remembering Joseph meant being useful not only to Joseph but also to Pharaoh himself, which of course changed the matter completely and gave Joseph a chance not only for release but also for a new, this time absolutely dizzying, career.
The matter, however, was not merely the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (vv. 1-7). That in itself was not especially difficult, since their meaning was quite transparent (vv. 25-32). What Pharaoh and his courtiers liked most was Joseph's proposed plan for how to use the coming years of abundance in order to prepare for the drought and famine that would follow (vv. 33-36). Egypt was then going through difficult times; the country had almost broken apart into separate regions, and nomads were attacking from the deserts. These nomads had managed not only to establish themselves in the Nile Delta and create their own small state there, something unprecedented in Egyptian history, but also to seize the Egyptian throne for a time; the dynasty ruling Egypt at that time was Semitic in origin. This situation, on the one hand, gave Joseph himself and his tribesmen opportunities they could not have had at any other time, but on the other hand, it required decisive action from the authorities. Gathering and preserving surplus grain was only half the matter; later, this grain was to be loaned to large private estates being ruined by the drought, first against the pledge of the future harvest and then against the pledge of the estate itself (Gen. 47:13-26). In this way, without any repressive measures, large private landownership, the economic foundation of regional separatism, was practically eliminated, and the land passed into state ownership. Naturally, the central authority was strengthened by this, and the state was reinforced. It is no surprise that Joseph's proposed plan was accepted with enthusiasm, and its implementation was entrusted to Joseph himself as the author of the project (vv. 39-49).
And yet the most remarkable episode in today's passage can be considered Joseph's mention of his God in response to Pharaoh's question about the interpretation of the dreams (vv. 15-16). It is not hard to remember God in times of trouble and misfortune; it is far harder not to forget Him in years of success and prosperity. And perhaps it is still harder to remember Him when such possibilities open before you as opened before Joseph, standing before Pharaoh, who expected from him an interpretation of his dreams. In such a situation, only the one for whom relationship with Him has become the center and meaning of all life remembers God.
41 Two things providence is here bringing about.
- The advancement of Joseph.
- The maintenance of Jacob and his family in a time of famine; for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men.
In order to these, here is,41:8 His spirit was troubled - It cannot but put us into a concern to receive any extraordinary message from heaven. And his magicians were puzzled; the rules of their art failed them; these dreams of Pharaoh did not fall within the compass of them. This was to make Joseph's performance by the Spirit of God the more admirable.
41:9 I remember my faults this day - in forgetting Joseph. Some think he means his faults against Pharaoh, for which he was imprisoned, and then he would insinuate, that through Pharaoh had forgiven him, he had not forgiven himself. God's time for the enlargement of his people will appear, at last, to be the fittest time. If the chief butler had at first used his interest for Joseph's enlargement, and had obtained, it is probable, he would have gone back to the land of the Hebrews, and then he had neither been so blessed himself, nor such a blessing to his family.But staying two years longer, and coming out upon this occasion to interpret the king's dreams, way was made for his preferment. The king can scarce allow him time, but that decency required it, to shave himself, and to change his raiment, Gen 41:14. It is done with all possible expedition, and Joseph is brought in perhaps almost as much surprised as Peter was, Act 12:9, so suddenly is his captivity brought back, that he is as one that dreams, Psa 126:1.Pharaoh immediately, without enquiring who or whence he was tells him his business, that he expected he should interpret his dream.
41:16 (1.) He gives honour to God; It is not in me; God must give it.Great gifts then appear most graceful and illustrious, when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God, (2.) He shews respect to Pharaoh, and hearty good - will to him, supposingthat the interpretation would be an answer of peace. Those that consult God's oracles may expect an answer of peace.