Pharaoh ruled all of Egypt. Think of our “rulers” today. When he had two powerful dreams one after another, he couldn’t comprehend them. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them. Genesis 41:8. Finally, after two years imprisonment, Joseph was remembered for interpreting the cup bearers dream and the dream of the baker. Joseph was brought out of the dungeon and shaved and was given clothes appropriate for appearing before Pharaoh. Pharaoh told Joseph his dream and waited for its’ interpretation so he could understand what it meant. Imagine how much time had passed at this point and yet the dream was still powerful in Pharaoh’s memory. “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires”. v. 16.

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.” v. 25-27.

Can you imagine any ruler who cares about his people and his rule hearing this interpretation from God? Joseph further shared God’s instruction for how to survive the 7 years of famine to follow the 7 years of plenty for it would take wisdom and dedication to protect Egypt from the coming devastation. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” v. 39-40.

Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was 30 when he became second-in-command in Egypt at the order of the Pharaoh. Whether a slave in Potiphar’s home or in prison under the warden’s authority, the Lord was with Joseph and he worked faithfully and was successful in all he did.

The cup bearer, the baker, Pharaoh, the magicians and wise men of Egypt could not interpret the dreams that were so impactful. Joseph could – but not by himself. God could and gave the interpretations to Joseph and Joseph gave God the credit. Joseph couldn’t produce the abundance or stop the famine. No matter how powerful Pharaoh was, he couldn’t do that either. Only God could predict through dreams what would occur and only God could bring about what He had shown would happen. Only God. See, I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:19.

How many new things from God have humans witnessed throughout our history? “This is what the Lord says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty; I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come – yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock, I know not one.” Isaiah 44:6-8.

And the new thing now? But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 13-22.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:16-21.

The new thing God is working for is for our good. All people will be freed from the prisons of the constraints of this world. Egyptian, Jews, Christians, Muslims, every nation, every tongue…one humanity joined in our love for God. Only God can bring that momentous event about. Only God. He foretold it…He will accomplish His good purpose and love. Can you imagine how blessed we all will be?