Pharaoh’s Dream

“Seven years are coming when there will be great abundance throughout the whole land of Egypt. But seven years of famine will follow them, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and famine will consume the land.” (Genesis 41:29–30)

Surely many people know Jean de La Fontaine’s fable The Grasshopper and the Ant. The grasshopper spent the whole summer playing music, while the ant diligently gathered food. When winter came, the ant had enough to eat, but the grasshopper did not, so he turned to the ant and asked her for food. Should we live only for today? Should we immediately spend everything we earn? Should we stop working whenever we do not feel like it? Should we work diligently? Is it worthwhile to save something for difficult times? Many questions may arise from this fable, just as the story of Pharaoh’s dream also conveys a particularly important and relevant message for all of us.
In Pharaoh’s first dream, seven fat cows came up from the Nile, followed by seven thin cows. In the second dream, seven full ears of grain were swallowed by seven thin ears. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream, but immediately makes it clear that the interpretation comes from God. According to his explanation, seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of hardship and famine. Joseph also gives Pharaoh advice: during the years of abundance, they should collect one fifth of the harvest and store up grain for the years of famine.
The uncertainty of everyday life and the slowdown of the economy cause many people today to wonder how long the years of abundance will last. Perhaps many are already experiencing personally that the “seven lean years” have arrived. Did this take us by surprise? Are we prepared for it? Can we avoid it?
Unfortunately, experience shows that many people are unable to manage well even what they have during prosperous times. They live for prosperity, often relying on credit. Yet an even more important question is what kind of spiritual foundation we have. How strong is your faith? How strong is your love? How strong is your perseverance? How strong is your patience? Are you prepared for days that may come when the burdens of life could cause you to collapse spiritually?
Will you be able to turn then to the many biblical passages through which God has spoken to you so many times during the “years of abundance”? Do you have a faith and trust in God that are rooted deeply enough for you to return to them in difficult times?
Let us prepare not only economically for difficult years! Let us have deep spiritual foundations! Strengthen your faith today! Practice love today! Seek peace today! Learn humility today! Ask God for strength today! So that when difficult days come, we will not have to search for God only then, but will already know him and know that we can turn to him. Amen.

PRAYER: Gracious God, how good it is to know that I am safe in your hands. I know that whatever happens, I am not alone, because you are with me. Help me to nourish myself richly today with your Word! Help me to turn to you in prayer today! Help my heart to be filled with love today! Help me to do good to others today! Help me to be a living stone, belonging to Christ, in the building of your church as a spiritual house! Amen.

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