Day 29

The Meaning of Pharaoh’s Dreams

Genesis 41:17–36

What is the dream you have dreamed?” Joseph asked Pharaoh.

“I saw seven fat cows eating grass by the river,” said Pharaoh. “Then seven skinny cows came. They ate the fat cows. But they were just as skinny as before they ate. Then I woke up.

“I fell asleep and dreamed again,” Pharaoh went on. “I saw seven full heads of grain. They were all on one stalk. Another stalk grew next to that one. It had seven poor heads of grain. These thin heads swallowed the good heads of grain. But after this they were just as poor as before.”

“The two dreams mean the same thing,” Joseph told him. “God is showing you what he will do in Egypt. Seven years of very good crops will come soon. Then there will be seven years with no food. The time of good crops will be forgotten.

“Pharaoh should find a wise and able man to help Egypt,” Joseph continued. “This man must save part of the crops from the good years. Then your people will have food when there are no crops. If someone can do this, the people of Egypt will not die.”

Questions: What did God tell Pharaoh would happen to Egypt? What did Joseph say Pharaoh should do?