Bible Stories: Pharaoh’s Mysterious Dreams
Joseph was taken into Egypt, where the traders sold him. Later he was thrown in jail with Pharaoh’s butler and baker. Both men had mysterious dreams which God helped Joseph to explain. When the butler was released from prison, Joseph said, “Tell Pharaoh about me, and help me get free.”
Some time later Pharaoh had two strange dreams. The butler told Pharaoh about Joseph, and Pharaoh sent for him.
“I have dreamed that seven fat cows were eaten up by seven lean ones,” Pharaoh said. “Then I dreamed that seven plump stalks of grain were eaten up by seven thin stalks. Can you tell me what this means?”
“There will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine,” Joseph said. “Egypt must prepare.”
Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph’s wisdom that he made him keeper of Egypts grain. Sure enough, after seven years of plenty there came a great famine. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food from Pharaoh’s grain keeper.
When Joseph told them who he was, his brothers were afraid. They thought he would punish them for selling him a long time ago, but Joseph had forgiven them.
“Don’t be afraid,” Joseph told his brothers. “God sent me ahead into Egypt to save lives.” Joseph embraced his brothers and gave them food. Soon he brought his father and all his brothers to Egypt to live with him.