Genesis 41 ~ sprouted after them

The Nile

Geneses 41 (Revised Standard Version)

[1]After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
[2] and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows sleek and fat, and they fed in the reed grass.
[3] And behold, seven other cows, gaunt and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile.
[4] And the gaunt and thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. And Pharaoh awoke.
[5] And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk.
[6] And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind.
[7] And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
[8] So in the morning his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men; and Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was none who could interpret it to Pharaoh.


[9] Then the chief butler said to Pharaoh, "I remember my faults today. [10] When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, [11] we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own meaning. [12] A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard; and when we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. [13] And as he interpreted to us, so it came to pass; I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged."


[14]Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
[15] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

[16] Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

[17] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile;
[18] and seven cows, fat and sleek, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass;
[19] and seven other cows came up after them, poor and very gaunt and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt.
[20] And the thin and gaunt cows ate up the first seven fat cows,
[21] but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as gaunt as at the beginning. Then I awoke.
[22] I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good;
[23] and seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them,
[24] and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."


[25] Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dream of Pharaoh is one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [26] The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one. [27] The seven lean and gaunt cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine.


[28] It is as I told Pharaoh, God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. [29] There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, [30] but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land, [31] and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of that famine which will follow, for it will be very grievous. [32] And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, and take the fifth part of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. [36] That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine which are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine."

[37] This proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

[38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" [39] So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are; [40] you shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only as regards the throne will I be greater than you."

[41] And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

[42] Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; [43] and he made him to ride in his second chariot; and they cried before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. [44] Moreover Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

[45] And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaph'enath-pane'ah; and he gave him in marriage As'enath, the daughter of Poti'phera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
[46]Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went through all the land of Egypt.

[47] During the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth abundantly, [48] and he gathered up all the food of the seven years when there was plenty in the land of Egypt, and stored up food in the cities; he stored up in every city the food from the fields around it.
[49] And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.

[50] Before the year of famine came, Joseph had two sons, whom As'enath, the daughter of Poti'phera priest of On, bore to him. [51] Joseph called the name of the first-born Manas'seh, "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house."
[52] The name of the second he called E'phraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

[53] The seven years of plenty that prevailed in the land of Egypt came to an end;
[54] and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. [55] When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do." [56] So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. [57] Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

It's interesting the Scripture repeats the dream twice. Even Pharaoh wants to be understood.
Pharoahs leave historical records, this is a Topographical List of the Cities:

TABLE 12
Egyptian Topographical Lists

Names	Tuthmosis III (1481 BC)	Amenhotep II (1440)	Amenhotep III (1386)	Seti I (1291)	Ramses II (1275)
Jacob-El	yes				yes
Joseph-El	yes		yes
Asher			yes	yes	yes
Yahweh			yes		yes
Shasu		yes	yes	yes	yes
Hapiru		yes		yes

1. In Ramses II's topographical list (ca.1275 BC) the place-name "Jacob-El" (#9) appears again (ANET 1969, 242; Simons 1937). The first appearance was in Thutmose III's list. This means that this city of Jacob has been around for two hundred years. Another interesting name that was found is yhw which is "Yahweh" in Hebrew (Horn 1953, 201; Giveon 1964, 244).
   

2. It seems abundantly clear from all these topographical lists concerning Canaan that the Hebrews were in Canaan at this time, but they did not use the name "Israel" until there league of tribes was well formed by the time of Merneptah.

3. On a statue-base of Amenhotep III at Kom el Hetan which is the funerary temple of Amenhotep III there is a topographical list with the place-name Yspir (Series a:1; Kitchen 1965, 2). This is the same name translated "Joseph-El" in Thutmose III's Topographical list (ANET 1969, 242). After Yspir in both lists the place-name Rkd appears (Series a:2 in Amenhotep III's list, and #79 in Thutmose III's list; Simons 1937, 112). Rkd is the same place-name as Ruhizzi in the El Amarna letters (EA 53:36, 56; EA 5426; EA 56:26; EA 191:2; Rainey 1982, 354). The ruler of Ruhizzi is Arsawuya who seems to be located in northern Palestine or southern Syria (EA 53:36, 56; Moran, 125)

Most scholars will place the Jews, pro-Israelites, or even Jacobites in Egypt at the time of the Hyksos. There are many scarabs with the name "Jacob-El." This seems most likely to refer either directly or indirectly to Jacob of the Old Testament.

This passage glows for Joseph, servant of God. Finally we see redemption for Joseph, who was sold out by God's chosen people into slavery. Joseph helps Pharaoh to become all powerful & God plans for Pharaoh to increase. There are many contributories rushing into place to complete God's plan.

I've heard this chapter used to cast Socialism down, when people depend on a power other than God, they will reap what they sow. There is truth in that, God wants us to depend on Him. What form of Government does God really support? We could argue at this point for no government, God led the Children of Israel into freedom and expected them to be self-governing. This self-governing didn't work for the Children of Israel.

God had to keep stepping in. Abraham was married twice, he only favored one son. Twin sons were jealous & fighting with parents that favored different sons. The blessing seeker/taker had 12 sons and repeated favoritism. Even when we try to bless our families, life intervenes. Self instead of intimacy. Joseph loved dreaming of ruling over his brothers and goaded them. It didn't go well. People have trouble even among the people they love.

Just as we see seasons of prosperity and seasons of leanness, it is not random, God intervenes. Each wise generation looks to God to be their daily salvation. Did Joseph deserve to be rescued? Probably, but he landed in this situation with sin of his own. Did the children of Jacob deserve to be rescued? How would we fully understand human nature without this road map. History is determined by the victors, but the Old Testament has something unique. The fallen - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad & Asher and all the others in the Old Testament are forgiven and given another chance.

Psalm 118:1-4

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Exodus 13:19
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

Joseph's tomb?

At the southwest end of the burial area, some 83 meters from the villa compound, was a monumental tomb, Tomb 1. It was composed of a nearly square superstructure containing the main burial chamber, and a chapel annex. In a robbers' pit sunk into the chapel, excavators found fragments of a colossal statue depicting an Asiatic dignitary. The likeness was of a seated official 1 times life size. It was made of limestone and exhibited excellent workmanship. The skin was yellow, the traditional color of Asiatics in Egyptian art. It had a mushroom-shaped hairstyle, painted red, typical of that shown in Egyptian artwork for Asiatics. A throwstick, the Egyptian hieroglyph for a foreigner, was held against the right shoulder. The statue had been intentionally smashed and defaced (Bietak 1996: 20-21).

In his book Pharaohs and Kings:" A Biblical Quest", David Rohl suggests that this is the tomb of Joseph himself (1995: 360-67). The evidence seems to support this hypothesis. We must assume that Tomb 1 was that of the occupant of the villa, and thus possibly of Joseph himself. The Bible is very specific as to what became of Joseph's body.

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2 Corinthians 12 ~ it is for Christ

Dear Friend, by Max Lucado. A letter for all of us who do this for Christ.

Dear Friend,
I’m writing to say thanks. I wish I could thank you personally, but I don’t know where you are. I wish I could call you, but I don’t know your name. If I knew your appearance, I’d look for you, but your face is fuzzy in my memory. But I’ll never forget what you did.

There you were, leaning against your pickup in the West Texas oil field. An engineer of some sort. A supervisor on the job. Your khakis and clean shirt set you apart from us roustabouts. In the oil field pecking order, we were at the bottom. You were the boss. We were the workers. You read the blueprints. We dug the ditches. You inspected the pipe. We laid it. You ate with the bosses in the shed. We ate with each other in the shade.

Except that day.

I remember wondering why you did it.

We weren’t much to look at. What wasn’t sweaty was oily. Faces burnt from the sun; skin black from the grease. Didn’t bother me, though. I was there only for the summer. A high-school boy earning good money laying pipe.

We weren’t much to listen to, either. Our language was sandpaper coarse. After lunch, we’d light the cigarettes and begin the jokes. Someone always had a deck of cards with lacy-clad girls on the back. For thirty minutes in the heat of the day, the oil patch became Las Vegas—replete with foul language, dirty stories, blackjack, and barstools that doubled as lunch pails.

In the middle of such a game, you approached us. I thought you had a job for us that couldn’t wait another few minutes. Like the others, I groaned when I saw you coming.
You were nervous. You shifted your weight from one leg to the other as you began to speak.

“Uh, fellows,” you started.

We turned and looked up at you.

“I, uh, I just wanted, uh, to invite … ”

You were way out of your comfort zone. I had no idea what you might be about to say, but I knew that it had nothing to do with work.

“I just wanted to tell you that, uh, our church is having a service tonight and, uh … ”

“What?” I couldn’t believe it. “He’s talking church? Out here? With us?”

“I wanted to invite any of you to come along.”

Silence. Screaming silence.

Several guys stared at the dirt. A few shot glances at the others. Snickers rose just inches from the surface.

“Well, that’s it. Uh, if any of you want to go … uh, let me know.”

After you turned and left, we turned and laughed. We called you “reverend,” “preacher,” and “the pope.” We poked fun at each other, daring one another to go. You became the butt of the day’s jokes.

I’m sure you knew that. I’m sure you went back to your truck knowing the only good you’d done was to make a good fool out of yourself. If that’s what you thought, then you were wrong.

That’s the reason for this letter.

Some five years later, a college sophomore was struggling with a decision. He had drifted from the faith given to him by his parents. He wanted to come back. He wanted to come home. But the price was high. His friends might laugh. His habits would have to change. His reputation would have to be overcome.

Could he do it? Did he have the courage?

That’s when I thought of you. As I sat in my dorm room late one night, looking for the guts to do what I knew was right, I thought of you.

I thought of how your love for God had been greater than your love for your reputation.

I thought of how your obedience had been greater than your common sense.

I remembered how you had cared more about making disciples than about making a good first impression. And when I thought of you, your memory became my motivation.
So I came home.

I’ve told your story dozens of times to thousands of people. Each time the reaction is the same: The audience becomes a sea of smiles, and heads bob in understanding. Some smile because they think of the “clean-shirted engineers” in their lives. They remember the neighbor who brought the cake, the aunt who wrote the letter, the teacher who listened …

Others smile because they have done what you did. And they, too, wonder if their “lunchtime loyalty” was worth the effort.

You wondered that. What you did that day wasn’t much. And I’m sure you walked away that day thinking that your efforts had been wasted.

They weren’t.

So I’m writing to say thanks. Thanks for the example. Thanks for the courage. Thanks for giving your lunch to God. He did something with it; it became the Bread of Life for me
.
Gratefully,
Max Lucado


2 Corinthians 12 (Contemporary English Version)

1 I have to brag. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I must brag about the visions and other things that the Lord has shown me. 2 I know about one of Christ's followers who was taken up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know if the man was still in his body when it happened, but God certainly knows.

3 As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time. 4 But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things that are too wonderful to tell. 5 I will brag about that man, but not about myself, except to say how weak I am. 6 Yet even if I did brag, I would not be foolish. I would simply be speaking the truth. But I will try not to say too much. That way, none of you will think more highly of me than you should because of what you have seen me do and say. 7 Of course, I am now referring to the wonderful things I saw. One of Satan's angels was sent to make me suffer terribly, so that I would not feel too proud. 8 Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. 9 But he replied, "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. 10 Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

11 I have been making a fool of myself. But you forced me to do it, when you should have been speaking up for me. I may be nothing at all, but I am as good as those super apostles. 12 When I was with you, I was patient and worked all the powerful miracles and signs and wonders of a true apostle. 13 You missed out on only one blessing that the other churches received. That is, you didn't have to support me. Forgive me for doing you wrong.

14 I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. 15 So I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? 16 You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. 17 Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did.

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? Actually, we have been speaking to God as followers of Christ. But, my friends, we did it all for your good.

20 I am afraid that when I come, we won't be pleased with each other. I fear that some of you may be arguing or jealous or angry or selfish or gossiping or insulting each other. I even fear that you may be proud and acting like a mob. 21 I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful.

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2 Corinthians 12 ~ in the sight of God

2 Corinthians 12

1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

There is a lot of Paul's personality in this letter. It's better, today, when listening to the link provided to hear this passage, instead of reading it to yourself. Every single thing about the faith of Christians is a miracle. If it isn't... we all have a cozy, imaginary friend. All of the articles of our faith rely on believing God at His Word.

This letter is one of the more discussed passages Paul wrote, with the Holy Spirit breathing out Scripture. What is remembered, what is discussed in this passage? Paul had a Secret Weakness. Was Paul gay, blind, did he have arthritic knees, or feet in an age when traveling required footwork? If you are familiar with this passage, you know people have played the Paul's Secret Weakness Game for 2,000 years. Why? There is quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder in the world.

Paul is looking at his troubles from another angle, he says God is so mighty, He will turn these diversions into something good. The Holy Spirit says there is something Greater than trouble.

Push aside the hardships the world offers. It is a diversion. Paul says you can push aside your troubles. Rejoice. REJOICE. God does not expect you to be perfect, God is claiming His parental rights of Love over you. Parents take care of their children. Jesus, your True older Brother, is making sure, The Way is prepared for you.

Today, let's picture this passage as something new. Let's see Paul describing Heaven as Paradise. You may have experienced this, or you will experience, going on an airplane when it is raining and cloudy. Your eyes have adjusted to your weather, it is dark and you aren't too phased by the weather, you are intent on your trip. The plane lifts off, travels higher, suddenly you burst out of the clouds and the sky is brilliant. You had no idea the brilliance was so overwhelming. So Paul sees The Lord. The best is yet to be. Do not hide Your Face, Father, I am coming to You.