Genesis 41:25-32: a reflection

25Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh. 26The seven good cattle are seven years; and the seven good heads of grain are seven years. The dream is one. 27The seven thin and ugly cattle that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven empty heads of grain blasted with the east wind; they will be seven years of famine. 28That is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29Behold, seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. 30Seven years of famine will arise after them, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. 32The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Standing before Pharaoh, the ruler of all Egypt, Joseph is careful about who gets the credit. The dream is one, he says, and God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Not I am a clever interpreter, but God is telling you this. Then he lays it out: seven years of great plenty are coming, followed by seven years of famine that will swallow up all the plenty.

Notice the kindness buried in the warning. God does not simply send the famine; he sends word of it ahead of time, through the dream, so that provision can be made in the good years for the hard ones coming. The plenty is not only to enjoy; it is given with the lean years in view. And the dream was doubled, Joseph says, because the matter is fixed by God and he will soon bring it about.

There is wisdom here for how to live in a good season. Plenty is a gift, but it is also a chance to prepare, to store up, to be ready for the leaner times that come to every life. If you are in a season of plenty right now, receive it with thanks, and also with foresight. God often gives the good years partly so we will be ready for the hard ones. Steward today's plenty with tomorrow's need in mind.

Lord, thank you that you warn ahead and provide. In seasons of plenty, give me foresight and gratitude, and help me steward what you give with tomorrow's need in mind.