Genesis 41v1-57
Heavenly Father
give us grace to be prudent in times of plenty, so that we may be able to help ourselves and others in time of scarcity.
1 After two years, Pharaoh dreamed that he stood by the river. 2 out of which came seven sleek and fat cattle 3 followed by seven ugly and thin cattle, 4 which ate up the seven sleek and fat cattle. 5 In a second dream, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, healthy and good. 6 after which, seven thin heads sprung up 7 and swallowed up the healthy and full ears. 8 In the morning, his spirit was troubled, so he called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. and told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
9 Then the chief cup bearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, 10 “when I was in prison 12 there was there a young Hebrew, who interpreted dreams.”
14 Then Pharaoh had Joseph brought hastily out of the dungeon. 15 Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret his dreams”
16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, 28 “God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30 Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. 32 God will shortly bring it to pass.
33 “Now therefore let Pharaoh look for a discreet and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s produce in the seven plenteous years. 35 and store grain under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities. 36 The food will be to supply the land against the seven years of famine, which will be in the land of Egypt; so that the land will not perish through the famine.”
37 The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 39 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. 40 All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.”
47 In the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. 48 Joseph gathered up all the food and laid it up in the cities.
50 To Joseph were born two sons
51 Manasseh meaning “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.”
52 Ephraim meaning “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
53 After the seven years of plenty, 54 came seven years of famine, just as Joseph had said. 56 Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. 57 All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.