Genesis 41:38: “So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’”
A regular day in the dungeon turned into an extraordinary one. Out of the blue Pharaoh’s security guard came in to escort Joseph out of prison. After a fresh shave and change of clothes he was presented to Pharaoh’s court officials who took him directly to the throne room where everybody awaited him with baited breath.
Pharaoh eyed his prisoner with caution but motioned him to come closer [Genesis 41:15]:
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
Respectfully Joseph clarified something that had become important to him. “May Pharaoh live forever!” he said, “Your Majesty, I cannot interpret your dream, but God who knows everything will disclose its meaning.” The pharaoh looked at Joseph with newfound interest. “I understand you don’t seek credit for yourself,” he observed, “Humility is a rare human trait and seldom found in royal palaces where everybody vies for the attention of the king.”
The Pharaoh paused and then continued. “Now as to my dream,” he said, “I stood on the banks of the Nile River and saw seven nice-looking cows coming up out of the river. They looked well-nourished and sleek. But then a moment later seven ugly cows emerged and stepped to the shore. They swallowed the beautiful cows. But even after they had eaten the fat cows, they still looked as emaciated as ever.” Pharaoh paused. Joseph nodded and said: “I believe there was a second dream?” Pharaoh turned to his court officials, exclaiming: “Who of you told him I had two dreams?” But his court officials insisted: “We swear nobody told him anything.”
Everybody was baffled, including Pharaoh. And turning to Joseph he picked up where he had left off. “In my second dream I saw a stalk with seven well-rounded and healthy-looking heads of grain,” he said, “Then another stalk sprouted producing seven withered heads of grain, scorched by the sun and dried out by the desert wind. This skinny plant swallowed the healthy-looking plant, but again, nothing changed in its appearance. It looked as ugly as it did before.” Pharaoh paused. Thoughtfully gazing at Joseph he added: “These were my dreams and nobody knows what they mean.”
After a brief moment of silence Joseph spoke up and said: “Here is the interpretation, your Majesty: Both dreams are one and the same. Seven cows and seven stalks of grain are seven years. The good-looking grain and well-fed cows are seven years of plenty while the scorched stalks of grain and underfed cows represent seven years of famine. Starting immediately, we will have seven great years with bumper crops, but these years will be quickly forgotten when the drought hits. After seven years of plenty there will be a famine we have never seen before.”
Digesting the news Pharaoh said: “Who is going to survive a seven-year-drought?” Joseph bowed low before the Pharaoh and said: “God chose to reveal His plans to you for a reason, so that you can plan ahead and prepare for the worst. My suggestion is this: Find a good administrator who stores away five percent of the grain in the plentiful years. There should be storehouses in every district of Egypt. And when the bad years come we will have reserves to fall back to.”
Pharaoh smiled. He liked Joseph’s practical suggestions. “The administrator should be you,” he said, “Who else is better suited for this position?” He put his signet ring on Joseph’s finger and declared: “Here is my second-in-command. I will put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than he.”
And so it happened that Joseph was lifted from prison to palace in a single day. Now he was dressed in fine linen and wore a gold chain around his neck. Pharaoh named him “Zaphenath-Paneah”, meaning “God speaks and he lives”. The name expressed Pharaoh’s amazement at God’s revelations. He recognized it was God who endowed Joseph with wisdom and understanding.
Before Potiphera headed back to Heliopolis Pharaoh had a private audience with him. He quickly got to the point: “I remember you telling me about this strange dream your daughter Asenath a year ago”, he remarked. Potiphera replied: “Your Majesty, you are too kind to even bring it up.” Pharaoh smiled. “Of course I remember,” he said, “You are my head priest. And I want you to meet with Zaphenath-Paneah as soon as possible. Maybe he can help you.”
And so Potiphera invited Joseph for dinner. After the formal introductions Joseph, Potiphera and his family sat down to eat. Asenath, who sat between her parents, glanced at Joseph furtively. She was drawn to him from the start. Lost in thought, she didn’t even notice when her father addressed her: “Asenath, dear, please tell our guest your dream. – – Asenath?” Startled Asenath apologized: “Sorry Daddy – I guess I am still trying to catch up. These are amazing news we have received from the palace lately.” And turning to Joseph she asked: “So your name is Zaphenath-Paneah? The wisdom of the gods must be with you.” Joseph smiled and said: “This is a big name for a person with humble beginnings. You can call me Joseph if you like. This is the name my father gave me.” Asenath nodded. “Alright Joseph,” she said, “here are my dreams.”
Briefly Asenath described her two night visions: “In one dream a swarm of bees descended on me and covered me with honey. In my second dream a heavenly being offered me honeycomb to eat.”
Looking at her Joseph waited for more to come. Finally he said, a bit puzzled: “Is that all? There is one detail that seems to be missing.” Asenath exchanged looks with her father and replied: “What I forgot to mention, the bees in my first dream stung my lips.”
Joseph nodded and after a moment of silence he said: “Both dreams indicate that the Lord speaks to you.”
Asenath was not quite satisfied with the interpretation and followed up with two more questions. “Why would God speak to me? And what is up with those bee stings?”
Joseph leaned back in his seat and decided to reveal something from his past. “God has spoken to me in dreams since I was a boy”, he replied, “It is a privilege that God tells us about the future. His plans for us are good and the message He brings is sweeter than honey. However this doesn’t mean that we won’t face adversity. You in particular will feel the sting of jealousy.”
Moved by Joseph’s interpretation Asenath spontaneously declared: “The God whose Spirit has anointed you and who has revealed Himself to me in night visions and dreams – this is the God I want to serve.”
After dinner Potiphera accompanied Joseph to his chariot and said: “I feel that God has brought us together. I know you are a stranger here and far from your homeland. Consider my house your home.” Joseph smiled “Thank you for your kindness,” he said, “This means so much to me.”
And in weeks to follow Joseph often went to have dinner with Potiphera’s family. Meanwhile Joseph and Asenath had grown fond of each other.
One morning Pharaoh met with his head priest. “Rumours have it that Zaphenath-Panea and your daughter Asenath take a liking in each other,” he said. Potiphera nodded. “This young man is a blessing,” he said, “he interpreted Asenath’s dream like he was reading it from a scroll.”
Pharaoh liked what he heard and said: “My second-in-command needs a wife and I believe Zaphenath-Paneah and Asenath are meant for each other. With your permission Potiphera, I would like the two of them to get married.”
It was springtime in Memphis and the almond trees were in full bloom when Joseph, son of Jacob and Asenath, daughter of Dinah and adopted daughter of Potiphera exchanged their wedding vows. Their new life had just begun.