One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for January 20th Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream, Jesus Tells 3 Parables About the Kingdom of God!
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Click Here to Read Genesis 41:17-42:17
We continue the ongoing saga of Joseph, as he is now asked to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. In the dreams, there are two metaphors he is given by God. One, seven cows who were fat and sleek, and seven cows who were scrawny and lean. Another where seven stalks of wheat which were full and growing on a single stalk, and seven which were withering away to nothing. Pharaoh had asked his magicians to interpret his dream, but they could not.
Joseph though was able to interpret the dreams. The seven healthy cows and grain stalks were what the next seven years in Egypt would like look. It would be years of growth and abundance. The unhealthy cows and stalks represented seven years of famine. Once again Joseph doesn't take credit the interpretation of the dreams, but gives the credit to God. Pharoah recognizes that God is with Joseph, so he instantly promotes him to the number two man in his place. How is that for a promotion? Remember Pharaoh was the most powerful man in the world at the time.
"So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” v.38
Joseph went from being left for dead in a cistern, sold as a slave to a caravan, thrown in jail for something he did not do, to being the Pharaoh's right hand man. Not only was Joseph put in charge, but all the people were to submit to his authority and even bow down to him. Pharaoh dressed Joseph in expensive robes and gave him his best chariot to drive. And people yelled, "Make way for Joseph" when he came by.
Meanwhile Joseph got married to an Egyptian woman and she gave birth to two sons, "Manasseh and Ephraim". Sure enough Joseph's dreams came true and when the people came crying to Pharaoh for food he could only say, "Go to Joseph, he will tell you what to do!"
And now the story is about to come full circle. The whole world is experiencing famine, and the word has circulated that there is grain in Egypt. So Jacob looks at his sons and says, "What are you looking at, go to Egypt and get us some grain!" But he keeps his youngest son Benjamin with him just in case something were to go awry.
So the brothers go to Egypt "sans" Benjamin and go to the Pharaoh's household to see none other than, you guessed it, their brother Joseph. He knows it is them, but they don't recognize him. They bow to him. I guess Joseph's dream about 10 bundles of wheat bowing to him finally came true. But Joseph does not reveal himself to them.
Joseph proceeds to accuse them of being spies, and they plead with Joseph that they left there father with their youngest son, and one of their brothers (Joseph) was no more. Joseph tells them that they must prove the truth of what they are saying and go back and get their youngest brother. As a ransom, he put nine of the brothers in jail, and sent one to go and get Benjamin and bring him back to "test" out their story.
Things have changed dramatically for Joseph. In the worst of his moments, he remained faithful to God, and now God had put him in a position of power for such a time as this.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Joseph did not have Romans 8:28 on paper, but he had it in his heart. A Christian today may very well have it on paper, but not in the heart." (Guzik)
Click Here to Read Matthew 13:24-36
Jesus tells three more parables to illustrate how things work in the kingdom of God.
Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
In this parable an enemy came into a field and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the weeds sprung up with the wheat, the workers wonder if they should pull up the weeds. The only problem with this is that if they pulled up the weeds, they might uproot the wheat as well. Better solution. Wait until harvest time and when both are harvested separate the weeds from the wheat. Keep the wheat, burn the weeds.
The enemy is the devil. The devil wants to destroy all that is good especially the children of God. The farmer is God who planted the good seed of His Word. The good seed bore fruit, believers in Jesus Christ. The devil sowed weeds who were those opposed to God. While we are here on earth, there will always be a mixture of God's children and those in the devil's control. One day, the two will be separated. One will go to eternal destruction and the other to eternal life. The merciful part of the story is that there is time for those who live now to come to faith. Since we don't know who the weeds are and who the wheat (even in the church) we should make the most of every opportunity to the share the Good News with all people. We shouldn't assume anything.
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Keeping the farming motif, Jesus tells a story about the mustard seed, the smallest seed known in the day. Despite its modest beginning, when it grew, it provided a tree with immense amounts of shade. Jesus likens this to the Kingdom of God. Though we don't always see the growth of God's kingdom, it is surely happening. There are many things happening in the spiritual realm that we do not see.
Many see this parable as related to the church, which started small meeting in homes and now has spread throughout the whole world.
Parable of the Yeast and the Dough
Similar to the previous parable, this parable shows that when the small amount yeast is worked a large amount of dough (60 pounds) that the whole batch of dough gets leavened. With the leavening power of the yeast this amount of dough would rise and produce enough bread to feed an estimated 100 people, a remarkable feat for an ordinary woman. (France)
In most of the recent psalms we have read, David has been crying out to God to be delivered from those who are seeking to do him harm. This psalm however is one of thanksgiving and praise that God has delivered him from his enemies. It is important not only to cry out to God when we need help, but to praise Him when he has given it to us!
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies." (Verses 1-3)
Click Here to Read Proverbs 4:1-6
"Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live." Verse 4
This is what being in God's Word on a daily basis is all about. Not only do we read it, but we take it to heart. We take God's word in our heart, medidate on it and the follow it in all of our ways. This is the best and wisest way to live.
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