Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Joseph Counsels Pharaoh

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In the biblical narrative, Egypt plays a significant role as the setting for the account of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob (Israel). Joseph's journey to Egypt is a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites, as it sets the stage for their eventual enslavement and subsequent exodus. The account of Joseph counseling Pharaoh is found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 41 and 42, and it highlights Joseph's rise to power and the providential care of God over His people.

Joseph's Rise to Power

Joseph's journey to Egypt begins with his brothers selling him into slavery due to their jealousy of his favored status with their father, Jacob, and his prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:28). In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and despite facing false accusations and imprisonment, he remains faithful to God. Joseph's ability to interpret dreams becomes known when he accurately interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker while in prison (Genesis 40).

Pharaoh's own troubling dreams, which none of his magicians or wise men can interpret, lead to Joseph's introduction to Pharaoh. Pharaoh dreams of seven healthy cows being devoured by seven gaunt cows and seven plump ears of grain being swallowed by seven thin ears. Joseph, brought from the dungeon, interprets these dreams as a divine revelation of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine (Genesis 41:25-30).

Joseph Counsels Pharaoh

Joseph not only interprets Pharaoh's dreams but also provides wise counsel on how to prepare for the impending famine. He advises Pharaoh to appoint a discerning and wise man to oversee the land of Egypt and to store surplus grain during the years of abundance. Joseph suggests that a fifth of the produce be collected and stored under Pharaoh's authority to ensure survival during the years of famine (Genesis 41:33-36).

Pharaoh recognizes the Spirit of God in Joseph and appoints him as the second-in-command over Egypt, saying, "Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?" (Genesis 41:38). Joseph is given authority over the land, second only to Pharaoh, and is entrusted with the task of preparing Egypt for the coming crisis.

The Impact of Joseph's Leadership

Under Joseph's leadership, Egypt successfully navigates the years of abundance and famine. The stored grain not only sustains Egypt but also attracts people from surrounding nations, including Joseph's own family, who come to Egypt seeking food. This sets the stage for the eventual migration of Jacob's family to Egypt, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a land not their own (Genesis 15:13).

Joseph's role in Egypt exemplifies God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite the trials and injustices Joseph endures, God's providential plan unfolds through his life, ultimately preserving the lineage of Israel and setting the stage for the future deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 41:33-36
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children
of Israel died not ... The brethren of Joseph determined his destruction but their ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

The Pentateuch.
... The story of Joseph, which unites such perfect simplicity with such ... of Moses: "Now
the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt, was four ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... of the descendants of Jacob in the land of Egypt when, after ... arose up a new king
who knew not Joseph"; and in his days the children of Israel had "increased ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... The stories regarding Joseph, the traditional father of Ephraim ... of Egypt, 98-100;
Maspero, Dawn of Civilization ... Budde, Religion of Israel, 1-38; Gordon, Early ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... heaven, as Moses led the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan ... for his personal comfort,
not for all Israel; but Christ ... who are the pure in heart, like Joseph; or the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... long before the times of Jacob and Joseph, so mapped ... 1.to destroy the male children
of Israel at their ... and what Pharaoh had said with Egypt's "wisdom" (Exodus 1 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision in heaven.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... the type of the Israelitish race, but Joseph is the ... ability win for him the highest
honors Egypt can confer ... the great men and events of Israel's dramatic history ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm

The First Kings.
... for opposing the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. ... became sovereign of the
ten tribes, who were called Israel. ... [Illustration: Joseph Elevated to Power by ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

On Daniel. Iii. Scholia on Daniel.
... Just as also Pharaoh did to Joseph, appointing him then to be ruler over the whole
land of Egypt. ... For as the children of Israel were destined to see God ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel iii scholia on.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... Moses he calls the children of Israel "my people ... two chapters; and when the people
leave Egypt they carry with them the bones of Joseph, in accordance ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm