Genesis:41

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* Verse 1-8 - The means of Joseph 's being freed from prison were Pharaoh 's dreams , as here related . Now that God no longer speaks to us in that way , it is no matter how little we either heed dreams , or tell them . The telling of foolish dreams can make no better than foolish talk . But these dreams showed that they were sent of God ; when he awoke , Pharaoh 's spirit was troubled . * Verse 9-32 - God 's time for the enlargement of his people is the fittest time . If the chief butler had got Joseph to be released from prison , it is probable he would have gone back to the land of the Hebrews . Then he had neither been so blessed himself , nor such a blessing to his family , as afterwards he proved . Joseph , when introduced to Pharaoh , gives honour to God . Pharaoh had dreamed that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile , and saw the kine , both the fat ones , and the lean ones , come out of the river . Egypt has no rain , but the plenty of the year depends upon the overflowing of the river Nile . See how many ways Providence has of dispensing its gifts ; yet our dependence is still the same upon the First Cause , who makes every creature what it is to us , be it rain or river . See to what changes the comforts of this life are subject . We cannot be sure that to-morrow shall be as this day , or next year as this . We must learn how to want , as well as how to abound . Mark the goodness of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of famine , that provision might be made . The produce of the earth is sometimes more , and sometimes less ; yet , take one with another , he that gathers much , has nothing over ; and he that gathers little , has no lack , Exodus strkjv @16:18 . And see the perishing nature of our worldly enjoyments . The great harvests of the years of plenty were quite lost , and swallowed up in the years of famine ; and that which seemed very much , yet did but just serve to keep the people alive . There is bread which lasts to eternal life , which it is worth while to labour for . They that make the things of this world their good things , will find little pleasure in remembering that they have received them . * Verse 33-45 - Joseph gave good advice to Pharaoh . Fair warning should always be followed by good counsel . God has in his word told us of a day of trial before us , when we shall need all the grace we can have . Now , therefore , provide accordingly . Pharaoh gave Joseph an honourable testimony . He is a man in whom the spirit of God is ; and such men ought to be valued . Pharaoh puts upon Joseph marks of honour . He gave him such a name as spoke the value he had for him , Zaphnath-paaneah , "a revealer of secrets ." This preferment of Joseph encourages all to trust in God . Some translate Joseph 's new name , "the saviour of the world ." The brightest glories , even of the upper world , are put upon Christ , the highest trust lodged in his hand , and all power given him , both in heaven and earth . * Verse 46-57 - In the names of his two sons , Manasseh and Ephraim , Joseph owned the Divine providence . 1 . He was made to forget his misery . 2 . He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction . The seven plenteous years came , and were ended . We ought to look forward to the end of the days , both of our prosperity and of our opportunity . We must not be secure in prosperity , nor slothful in making good use of opportunity . Years of plenty will end ; what thy hand finds to do , do it ; and gather in gathering time . The dearth came , and the famine was not only in Egypt , but in other lands . Joseph was diligent in laying up , while the plenty lasted . He was prudent and careful in giving out , when the famine came . Joseph was engaged in useful and important labours . Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his father Jacob said , Joseph is not ! What a large portion of our troubles would be done away if we knew the whole truth ! Let these events lead us to Jesus . There is a famine of the bread of life throughout the whole earth . Go to Jesus , and what he bids you , do . Attend to His voice , apply to him ; he will open his treasures , and satisfy with goodness the hungry soul of every age and nation , without money and without price . But those who slight this provision must starve , and his enemies will be destroyed . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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