Genesis 41:28

Having heard Pharaoh's account of his dream, Joseph gives the king a threefold message from God. First he twice repeats that "God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do" (vv. 25, 28). The wise men of Egypt no doubt had their theories about the future of Egypt. They shaped their policies and made their plans according to their own ideas. The leaders of this world do the same today. But all the theories of men leave God out of God's world. God is welcome to heaven. Man knows nothing about heaven and cares even less. But the earth is the centre of all man's affections, so man insists it must be run according to his own ideal. Still, God has His plans for the future government of the world, and He has not left us in ignorance of them.

First God reveals what He is about to do; but even so man cannot profit by the revelation. God spoke in a vision to Pharaoh. He wrote on the wall in Belshazzar's day. He speaks with great plainness of speech in our day. But now as in the past, the wise men of this world fail completely when they try to interpret the Word of God. So Pharaoh appeals to the "magicians of Egypt and all its wise men," only to find "there was none to interpret" his dreams (v. 8). Man's natural pride of intellect blinds him to the simple fact that communications from God can only be interpreted by God.

Joseph explains that both dreams pointed to one event: seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine — on a scale never seen before. Both came from God, and He had extraordinary purposes in them. He also made it all known to Pharaoh, and that was beyond the reach of human knowledge. The doubling of the dream showed not only its certainty, but the speed of its fulfilment. God does not deceive, nor is He mocked.

God has a revealed plan. God has established His plan, and what God has planned and established, God will bring to pass. Men dream of bringing in a golden age by their own thoughts and their own efforts — through education, civilization, disarmament, leagues and alliances. It will all be in vain. God has made it clear: only His own direct intervention will bring in His reign of peace. As in Joseph's day, so in our day, "God will bring it to pass."

God was showing Pharaoh beforehand what He was going to do in Egypt… God does such things to wake people up. He wants them to realize that their blessing does not depend on circumstances, but on the God who brings about every circumstance.

In keeping with God's settled plan, Pharaoh is also instructed about the way God will carry out His plans. Seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of famine, and Pharaoh is told to "look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt." Two things mark this plan. First, God ordains that only one man shall be over the land. Second, God will so order circumstances that all will be brought under the rule of this man. The circumstances and the man would combine to bring about God's purposed plan.

Pharaoh's dream foretells seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine that swallow them up. Even now the world is enjoying its years of plenty, and it barely believes the future plainly predicted for it. Yet the time of famine is not far off. It will show the resources of the One who will then be seen as the only one able to meet its terrible needs.