Topical Bible: God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine

◄ God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine ►

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In the biblical narrative, God's warning to Pharaoh about the impending famine is a pivotal event that underscores His sovereignty and providential care. This account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 41, where God communicates the future through dreams given to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.

Context and Background

The account unfolds during the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually brought to Egypt. Despite his hardships, Joseph rises to a position of trust in the house of Potiphar, only to be wrongfully imprisoned. It is during his time in prison that Joseph's ability to interpret dreams becomes known, setting the stage for his encounter with Pharaoh.

Pharaoh's Dreams

Pharaoh experiences two troubling dreams that none of his magicians or wise men can interpret. In the first dream, he sees seven healthy cows being devoured by seven gaunt and ugly cows. In the second dream, seven plump ears of grain are swallowed by seven thin and scorched ears. These dreams disturb Pharaoh, prompting him to seek an interpretation.

Joseph's Interpretation

Joseph is summoned from prison to interpret the dreams, a task he undertakes with humility, acknowledging that the ability to interpret comes from God. In Genesis 41:16 , Joseph states, "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Joseph explains that both dreams carry the same message: God is revealing to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven healthy cows and seven plump ears of grain represent seven years of abundance, while the seven gaunt cows and seven thin ears of grain symbolize seven years of severe famine that will follow. Joseph emphasizes the certainty of this revelation by noting that the dream was given in two forms.

God's Sovereignty and Providence

This event highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to communicate His plans through dreams. It also demonstrates His providential care, as He not only warns of the coming disaster but also provides a means of deliverance through Joseph. Joseph advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise and discerning man to oversee the collection of surplus grain during the years of abundance, to prepare for the years of famine.

Pharaoh's Response

Pharaoh recognizes the wisdom in Joseph's counsel and acknowledges the presence of God's Spirit in him. In Genesis 41:38 , Pharaoh asks his officials, "Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God dwells?" Consequently, Joseph is appointed as the second-in-command over Egypt, tasked with implementing the plan to save the nation from the impending famine.

Theological Significance

This narrative illustrates several key theological themes. It affirms God's omniscience and His control over the future, as He reveals events before they occur. It also underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness, as seen in Joseph's life, which ultimately leads to the preservation of many lives. Furthermore, it foreshadows the greater deliverance that God would provide through Jesus Christ, who is often seen as a type of Joseph in Christian theology.

In summary, God's warning to Pharaoh about the famine is a testament to His divine wisdom and care, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes and provide for His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 41:1
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... Altho Pharaoh is the most conspicuous figure in this ... see that he does not worship
the God of the ... hardening is a divine operation, then warning and admonition ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii the hardening in the.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... Would I have brought thee thy warning, knowing it such ... After a few bars, the Pharaoh's
countenance had become ... with Israel, this day, when its God hath already ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

The Story of Joseph
... could. So Pharaoh told his dreams, and as Joseph listened he knew at once
that they had been sent as a warning from God. Seven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

God's Barriers against Man's Sin
... What though in later years Pharaoh and his chariots are drowned in the Red sea? ... He
has the whole of God's Word given him by way of warning; its pages he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/gods barriers against mans sin.htm

Chapter xli
... These dreams are centred in God's merciful kindness; Pharaoh should gratefully ... Since
a needed warning is involved, Joseph summarizes in respect to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... escape dangers foretold, is to hearken to, understand, and fear the Word of
God""He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh, made his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Chapter xlii
... insincere or idle oath: "as surely as Pharaoh lives, ye ... The original fear of God,
more or less a tradition ... them, though he now makes his warning stronger than ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

The Last King of Judah
... and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been ... As I live, saith the Lord
God, surely in the ... Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

Matt. Ii. 2
... Wherefore harden ye your hearts, as Egypt and Pharaoh hardened ... For as without any
warning to see those things coming ... may be called the truer son of God, he that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily viii matt ii 2.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... of bulrushes by his mother, because Pharaoh was slaying ... acknowledged the greatness
of the God whom they ... him by Daniel; but, neglecting the warning, "his heart ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm