Day 17: Genesis 41
Today's morning devotion is Genesis 41, which tells the story of Joseph being freed from jail and promoted to governor of Egypt by correctly interpreting Pharaoh's dreams of cows and wheat.
Pharaoh's acceptance of Joseph's interpretation and attribution of the feat to God is consistent with what Joseph said about his interpretations of the cupbearer's dream and the baker's.
Basically, a dream is a message from God, and only God can give its interpretation to a person.
The reason I ask is that each of Israel's children was named by the wife (or wife's servant) who bore the child.
Dreams are messages from God
Pharaoh's acceptance of Joseph's interpretation and attribution of the feat to God is consistent with what Joseph said about his interpretations of the cupbearer's dream and the baker's.
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. (Genesis 41:38-39 ESV)
Basically, a dream is a message from God, and only God can give its interpretation to a person.
Egyptians fear the same God
How come the Egyptians fear the same God of Joseph and Israel? I've always found this to be interesting, because I thought the Egyptians worshiped gods of their own.
Significance of being named by the father
I wonder whether there is any significance behind Joseph naming his children instead of his wife.
Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:50-52 ESV)
The reason I ask is that each of Israel's children was named by the wife (or wife's servant) who bore the child.