Genesis 41:33

A man just out of the shame and obscurity of a prison would normally hold back from advising a king and his courtiers on affairs of state — and on the most urgent and important matters. Joseph rose above all such scruples. Confidence in the revealed mind of God took away his fear of being brushed aside. It also drew out his heart in goodwill to the king and his people. Otherwise they might soon forget the dream and its meaning as a passing wonder. They would fall into the usual carelessness of unbelief, wasting the coming plenty and paying no attention to the scarcity to follow.

Joseph not only interpreted the dreams. He also told Pharaoh what should be done, since these things were coming. What was needed was the man of wisdom entrusted with carrying them out. Joseph was speaking on God's behalf. He showed that on the human side, faced with these acts of God, all that was needed was A MAN.

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 come under the sway of this man. Joseph was to be set over all. The seven years of plenty, followed by the seven years of famine, would bring everyone under Joseph. The circumstances and the man would combine to bring about God's purposed plan.

The man who could explain the dream turned out to be the discreet man who would govern Egypt through the famine. Here we have at once a picture of our Lord Jesus. He is the One raised from the dead, so that He might take His place at the head of the universe, and be even now over the house of God.

Pharaoh could see that the Spirit of God was in Joseph. God had revealed the meaning of the dream to him, so there was no one so discerning and wise as he. 1 Corinthians 2:15 tells us, "The spiritual person judges all things" — that is, he judges in the sense of discerning. He not only discerns spiritual things. He also discerns everyday matters more rightly than any unbeliever does. This is because God is the Creator of material things just as much as of spiritual ones.

This, too, is God's plan for the future government of the world. Not by parliaments or cabinets, not by counsellors and ministers, will God govern, but by a Man "discerning and wise" set over all. And all will be brought under His sway either by the day of grace or in the day of judgment — the years of plenty or the years of famine. Many have already come under the sway of Christ by confessing Him as Lord, to His glory and their blessing. But the world at large has neglected God's grace and rejected the claims of Christ. It will be brought to bow in the day of judgment that follows the years of grace.

The point was this: the future was to be provided for. There is a great principle there. Whatever you do not have as regards this life, make sure for eternity. Look ahead. The future is there.

Often when people are greatly blessed they do not consider wisely what the future may hold. They squander the large amount the Lord has given them. Then the lean years come unexpectedly, and they are not prepared.