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Awesome Hands – part 31

“Dreamer of dreams”

Dreams are a very interesting tool in the awesome hands of the Lord. Dreams can bring enjoyable times as well as terrible nightmares.

Various times throughout scripture, the Lord uses this time in our physical sleep to deliver a message which startles us, shakes us up or outright scares the stuffing out of us.

I personally have very vivid dreams of which I mostly never remember. I use to sleep walk terribly and I often talk in my sleep. I am very well aware myself of how intense and emotional dreams can make us the first initial few minutes when we wake and of course during the dream itself.

I have often times played out various parts of my dreams while dreaming them as if I were actually experiencing them and for a part of my sub- conscious I am actually experiencing that dream.

In the study today, we are going to continue to see how Joseph is going to be used to be a dreamer of dreams who also has been gifted with the ability to interpret dreams.

Like myself, the Pharaoh is going to have such intense dream that he searches far and wide for an answer to what his dream means.

As we start off in chapter 41 of Genesis, let us recognize immediately that we are being witnessed to as to how the Lord works with us when He wants to deliver us a message that will cause us to seek out His guidance and direction.

“Two Witnesses”

Gen 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
Gen 41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
Gen 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
Gen 41:4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

The dreams that Pharaoh is being given are happening two years after Joseph interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker.

There are two sets of cows and two sets of ears of corn all contained within two separate dreams. However, the dreams are one and they are profound enough that Pharaoh knows there is something to them because his spirit is troubled.

Gen 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
Gen 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
Gen 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
Gen 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

It is always in the early part of our walk with being dragged to the Lord, starting in the “morning” that we seek out those for whom we have been taught and trusted in to tell us what it is that Lord is doing in our lives.

We seek out the magicians and wise men to interpret for us but we quickly discover they cannot not tell us what is happening.

Then, the Lord sends along His servant of whom He has been molding for this very task to send us the answer to our questions.

We may not recognize the messenger nor know of where they have come (the walk the Lord used in their lives to be able to place them in front of us as an interpreter), but we will start to hear the voice of the True Shepherd in the reflection of what they say and tell us.

After all, just like the dream that troubles the Pharaoh’s spirit, we all have things that bring us a great earthquake so that we can do nothing but cry out for a deliverer.

Gen 41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
Gen 41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:
Gen 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
Gen 41:12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
Gen 41:13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

After Pharaoh seeks out his own solution to this dilemma, the Lord brings remembrance back to the butler so that he can tell the Pharaoh that he knows of someone that can help with this issue.

Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

When there is about to be a great change in the lives of God’s people, God is going to cause such a vast difference in our lives that it is signified by a completely different look to those who observe it.

This can be seen in several different examples.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

And a few verses later:

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
Job 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Shaving is a type of cleansing to the Lord representing a change that is taking place.

Num 6:9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

Deu 21:11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
Deu 21:12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
Deu 21:13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

A change of raiment signifies how we are to appear before the King. In order to be presentable, we are to put on Christ to appear before God the Father just as Joseph changes his raiment to appear before the Pharaoh.

It is when we are in this condition of change that we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and in type and shadow we see this happening to Joseph.

Gen 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

In our newly found “cleanliness” we are going to give an “honest report” and give all glory to God.

Gen 41:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
Gen 41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
Gen 41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
Gen 41:20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
Gen 41:21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
Gen 41:22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
Gen 41:23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
Gen 41:24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.

Our answer to the Pharaoh, the god who sits on the throne of the hearts and minds of all of humanity, is that the Lord does a quick work.

Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Gen 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
Gen 41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
Gen 41:28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

“The dream is one….. of what God is about to do to Pharaoh”. Whenever we have something in our lives which is being witnessed too in such a profound way, we know the Lord is telling us what He is about to do in our lives.

In the story of Job which was referenced early, Job had multiple warnings that the Lord was working a profound change in Job’s life and that profound pattern can be seen in the dreams that are given to Pharaoh.

Gen 41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
Gen 41:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
Gen 41:31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
Gen 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

“A man discreet and wise”

When Joseph interpreted this dream to the Pharaoh, I have no doubt that when he spoke to the Pharaoh to seek out a discreet and wise man, he was no doubt very keenly aware that he was referring to himself as such a man.

This is important because the way in which Joseph answered Pharaoh was only in a way which glorified God. This is the same exact mindset Christ had when others called Him good.

Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Just as Christ answered always as “thy will be done” and “keep the commandments of God”, Joseph isn’t going to point directly to himself as this man but He is going to let the actions he has taken be proof enough that he is the man for the job.

It is only by the working of God through these actions that one be convinced that this is the case.

Gen 41:33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
Gen 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
Gen 41:36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
Gen 41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Joseph makes a point to make sure that he always lets the Pharaoh know that this is his decision only. This way the Pharaoh is glorified in the position that God has placed the Pharaoh in.

Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Gen 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

When we are caused to follow this same type and shadow in the pattern we see laid out, we will discover that we too are given “a ring, fine linen coverings and a gold necklace around our neck”.

These are all symbols which represent who we represent. Just as we are as Christ is, we too will show in our actions and works (those which are every one caused of the Lord) those things which will cause others to know we are sent by the King.

Joseph told the Pharaoh to seek out a discreet and wise man, so in type and shadow who does this represent?

We see this example in none other than those who represent this same pattern in their own physical and spiritual homes. Tit 2 gives us a very solid foundation of what this attribute represents concerning God’s people and how and why this is what Joseph represents.

Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Tit 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Tit 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

As a result of these attributes, which only God Himself can cause to manifest in our lives, we will have the “works of our hands” be seen as the very works of the King.

Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

It is in the rest of relying on the Lord for all, that we glorify only Him in all the works we do. It was mentioned earlier that the Lord works quickly in His Word.

When the Lord speaks it is as if it is already done and we can see this example in many parts of scripture.

However, we also see many times that we must live out the time table of these events unfolding in our lives.

Joseph, the dreamer of dreams, was told that he would have his family bow down to him but he is only just 30 years old when he takes over this role as a “discreet and wise man”.

It is no coincidence that Christ too was thirty years old when He started to preach the gospel. It is in the rest of Christ that we are given a new name, just as the Pharaoh is caused to give Joseph a new name as well as a ring, clothing, and a necklace.

Here is Joseph’s new name:

H6847

tsa phnath pa ne ach

BDB Definition:

Zaphnath- paaneah = “ treasury of the glorious rest”

1) a name given by Pharaoh to Joseph

Part of Speech: noun proper masculine

A Related Word by BDB/ Strong’s Number: of Egyptian derivation

It will take a full 14 more years before we see this dream come to full fruition, but it all starts with us taking rest from our works and doing the work of which the Lord has put us in place to do for His kingdom!

There are two sets of seven mentioned in these dreams to show us that we are being witnessed to that the Lord alone is to be glorified in this work even though He uses the “discreet and wise” in Him, to accomplish the “foolishness of preaching” to the rest of the world.

Christ is at the head, and we are the body!

Gen 41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

Gen 41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Gen 41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Gen 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.
Gen 41:52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Gen 41:53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
Gen 41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Gen 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
Gen 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

The harvest is nigh and there are few laborers. However, though there are few laborers, the Lord works mightily through them.

Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luk 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

“Conclusion of part 31”

All that we have covered today in part 31 of this series, points out to us that all of the children of God are “dreamers of dreams” in type and shadow.

These saints of God are those who are sent as His messengers to deliver the mind of Christ to those who we are sent to.

Just like Joseph, we are to take the current circumstances we see being faced by others and ourselves as the will of God in our lives and we are to take rest in knowing that as we “keep the commandments” we are being faithful to God by the same Faith of Jesus that we are given.

Joseph tells Pharaoh that he must prepare for what the Lord is going to do in his life and we too must always warn and command those we are placed in front of that the “time of the Lord is at hand”.

Christ did this and we must too.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Our rest is to do the works of the Lord and it is these works which will follow us. We are the cloud from which the Lord comes and it is at the altar of His cross that we join Him in the great harvest.

We are given power of the fire of the Word of God and we are to keep His commandments to “thrust in the sharp sickle” and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth.

The dream is one and we are the dreamers of dreams, Lord willing.