WELCOME
By Elizabeth Peak
Chapter 41 of Genesis (Genesis 41) begins with Pharaoh dreaming two troubling dreams. Pharaoh calls his magicians and Wise men to interpret the dreams. When they could not interpret them; Pharaoh’s cupbearer remembered how Joseph had interpreted his dream while he was imprisoned with Joseph and the baker.
Joseph is brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Joseph told Pharaoh that God would give Pharaoh a favorable answer. God told Pharaoh through his dreams what He was about to do. God, through Joseph, told Pharaoh about seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph suggested to Pharaoh that he look for a man discerning and wise to set over the land. This man was to gather food during the years of plenty to be stored for use during the seven years of famine.
Pharaoh asked his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” Pharaoh tells Joseph that since God had allowed him the interpretation of the dreams there was no one as discerning and wise as Joseph.
“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” (Genesis 41:42)
In Bible times, the signet ring was a symbol of authority or a badge of office. This was like delivering Joseph the great seal. As Christians, God has “ sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:22)
Paul tells us: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
Pharaoh put fine linen clothes upon Joseph. Joseph had come before Pharaoh in his prison clothes, now he wore the fine linen clothing worn only by those in the royal household. This clothing was further proof Joseph was important to Pharaoh. In Revelation 19:8, fine linen clothing is referred to as “the righteous acts of the saints.”
Pharaoh also put a gold necklace around Joseph’s neck. This represented another badge of the office Joseph held. In a day’s time Joseph went from wearing prison clothing to wearing fine linen clothing, from prison chains to a gold chain around his neck. God placed Joseph, clothed in a wardrobe by Pharaoh, in a place where he could save His people from the famine.
External adornment should not be a major concern for the Christian. It is the inner being that is most important. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:3-4: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” Paul instructed Timothy to instruct the women “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Questions for Wardrobe by Pharaoh
1. Who had dreams that troubled him? Could his wise men and magicians interpret them?
2. Who was brought from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams?
3. What did Pharaoh’s dreams mean?
4. Who did Joseph give credit for interpretation of the dreams?
5. Who was the discerning, wise man that Pharaoh set over the land of Egypt?
6. What was the signet ring a symbol of?
7. How has a Christian been sealed and who does the sealing?
8. In Revelation 19:8, what is fine linen clothing referred to?
9. Why do you think God allowed Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams?
10. What is more important to God, how we look on the outside, or how we are on the inside? Why?
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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