Joseph Explains the Dreams

Pharaoh needed to understand his dreams. The cupbearer had just told him that Joseph could help.

Pharaoh immediately sent his servants to bring Joseph out of prison.

The prison door opened.

Joseph was given clean clothes, and he prepared himself to stand before Pharaoh.

After spending so much time in prison, Joseph was brought into the great palace.

Pharaoh sat on his throne.

“I had a dream,” Pharaoh told Joseph, “but no one can explain it. I have heard that you understand dreams.”

Joseph answered humbly.

“I cannot understand dreams by myself,” he said. “But God can give Pharaoh the answer he needs.”

Pharaoh told Joseph about the seven healthy cows and the seven thin cows.

Then he described the seven full heads of grain and the seven dry ones.

Joseph listened carefully.

When Pharaoh finished, God helped Joseph understand the dreams.

“The two dreams have the same meaning,” Joseph explained. “God is showing Pharaoh what will happen.”

Joseph told Pharaoh that the seven healthy cows and the seven full heads of grain represented seven years.

During those seven years, Egypt would have plenty of food. The fields would grow more grain than the people needed.

The seven thin cows and the seven dry heads of grain also represented seven years.

But those seven years would be very different.

After the years of plenty, there would be seven years without enough rain or food. The famine would be so severe that people might forget how much food Egypt had once possessed.

Pharaoh listened closely.

Joseph continued speaking.

“Pharaoh should choose a wise and honest man to prepare Egypt,” he said. “During the seven years of plenty, some of the extra grain should be collected and stored. Then there will be food for the people during the seven years of famine.”

The dreams now had an explanation, and Joseph had shown how to prepare for the hard years. God’s help could become food for many families.

Joseph did not use what he knew to show off. He shared it to help others. Now Pharaoh had to decide who would be in charge of that important work.