Asbury Bible Commentary – c. Promotion (41:1-57)
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c. Promotion (41:1-57)
c. Promotion (41:1-57)

The ways of God now stand juxtaposed to the ways of the world (v.32). The mighty Egyptian empire stands helpless before the revelation of God. Yet to perpetuate the covenant made with the patriarchs, the one who is blessed becomes a blessing (cf. 12:3). Egypt will be spared the famine because the sons of Israel must survive the drought if the promise is to remain intact. Joseph will act as the connecting link between the two. To accomplish this, Joseph is first empowered by God and then empowered by Pharaoh. Following the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream (vv.25-32), Joseph proposes an ambitious survival plan (vv.33-36). The effect of the proposal is to catapult Joseph to a position of prominence, second only to that of Pharaoh himself (v.43), and to rescue Egypt from starvation (vv.55-57). God grants Joseph the gift of interpretation to discern the future of events while Pharaoh acclaims him vizier (vv.40-41), grants him the insignia of office (v.42), provides him a royal name (v.45), and legitimizes his office by marriage (v.45). Such good fortune is reflected in the naming of his sons (vv.50-52) and is attributed to God.