God Gifts Us for His Glory and the World‘s Needs - Genesis 40-43

Genesis 41:1-8 (ESV)

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

There was NO ONE who could interpret the dream for Pharaoh!  In the above story we have a glimpse of the incompetency of man’s knowledge.   Pharaoh’s dream was about what was going to happen in the earth for the next 14 years.   He was confused by it.  So, too, were all his wise men. Imagine if this was covered by today’s news media.  How many talking-heads would be brought on and interviewed?   Imagine the way this would have been spun in regard to what it all means.   The world struggles with understanding current events, much less events 14 years into the future.  But, God is the God of plans and purpose.  He also provided someone to give those interpretations so that the world could have some clarity.  God equips mankind with skills and talents and wisdom and gifts that allow us to be beneficial to the world around us, but for the SOLE purpose of glorifying God, who gives us those talents, gifts, skills and wisdom.   Joesph was gifted the ability he needed to navigate this world.   He did not conjure up the skills to save his life or to line his pockets or to increase his power.  He was given gifts to serve God to bring glory to the King of Kings in the midst of the most powerful human on the planet at that time.  God gifts us to serve Him and bring glory to Him in the face of the world.