Genesis 44:15 - Can Joseph Certianly Divine?

And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

Like Daniel, Joseph was appointed Chief Diviner; for he was found to have the Spirit of God (Daniel 4:9, 5:11; Genesis 41:38), not because he could find things out with a cup. Joseph gives the impression he used the cup found in Benjamin's sack as a cup of divination (Genesis 44:5) to enhance the cups value and, more importantly, to prompt the question: wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? If they couldn't believe Joseph's dreams, then how could they believe an Egyptian could use a cup to tell the future?

Genesis 43:30 - The Tears of Joseph

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Joseph's reunification produced many emotional tears of deep affection and compassion he had for his family. Tears of sorrow for sympathizing the suffering his family had to endure (Genesis 42:24; Genesis 45:2). And tears of joy for the blessing of having another chance to reunite with his family, especially with his brother Benjamin (Genesis 45:14), and his Father Jacob (Genesis 46:29).

Genesis 43:26 - Deja vu All Over Again

And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

Here, we see the dream about the sheaves come true (Genesis 37:7). The first deja vu was triggered when Joseph's brother bowed themselves down before him on their first visit (Genesis 42:6). However, this time all eleven brothers are bowed down just as his dream predicted.

Genesis 41:38 - Where is the wise?

And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Where shall wisdom be found? Like Joseph, Daniel was commended for his understanding in all visions and dreams according to the Spirit of God that dwelt within him (Daniel 4:8); for the wisdom of man could not comprehend the hidden wisdom of the Spirit (Daniel 5:8).

Genesis 41:28 - The Universal Communication of God

This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries in the dreams of man. Just as God showed unto Pharaoh the future in a dream, God also showed King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future (Daniel 2:28). God speaks to whomever he wishes, to both the believer as well as the non-believer.

Gensis 41:18 & 22 - Paraoh's Two Dreams

My Bible references Genesis 41:18 to verse 3, and Genesis 41:22 to verse 6.

I believe the connection lies somewhere in between the subtle differences noted in Pharaoh's reiteration of his dreams to Joseph; however, I am struggling in making the connection.

Commentators suggest that some of the changes noted in Pharaoh's reiteration are due to the fact that Pharaoh did not grasp the implications of the symbolism. While other commentators suggest that Pharaoh purposely disguised these essential points, to test Joseph's ability to interpret.

Genesis 41:15 - The Secret of Dreams

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

Joseph can understand a dream to interpret it because God shares his secrets with those that have respect for Him and are accounted righteous (Proverbs 3:32, Psalm 25:14).

Genesis 41:11 - Anytime, Anywhere Communication

And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

God's communication is always present, even while in confinement. God gave the baker and butler each a dream with a meaning of its own while they were in prison (Genesis 40:5), and likewise, God heard Jonah's prayer from within the belly of a fish (Jonah g2:2).

Genesis 40:8 - As a Instrument in God's Hands.

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Joseph knew he could interpret the dream but only as a medium by which God would give them the answer they desired (Genesis 41:16 NIV).

Genesis 37:11 - Overwhelming Feelings of Reverence

And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Joseph's dream was too wonderful for his father to fathom. However, his father understood to power of dreams so his father observed the saying. Just like when the shepherds spread the word concerning what the angel had told them about baby Jesus; everyone was too amazed to believe Jesus was the Messiah, but Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:17-19).

Genesis 46:29 - Joseph Remembers His Father

And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

In becoming the lord of all Egypt, Joseph provided a safe haven for his father in the land of Goshen (Genesis 45:9-11), even though his father rebuked him as a child for having the dream (Genesis 37:9-10). In Goshen, Joseph presented himself unto him as evidence of the dream coming true; then they embraced and wept for a long time.

Genesis 37:7-8 - Making dreams a reality.

For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

Joseph's brothers rightly interpreted his dream and became the agents of divine Providence. United in their hatred of him, they helped bring his dream into existence by selling him to the Midianite merchants, who took him to Egypt (Genesis 37:28). Not knowing that Joseph became the governor of Egypt, they made obeisance to him twice (Genesis 42:6; Genesis 44:14).

Genesis 32:26 - How to get your breakthrough.

And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Although Jacob was weak and tied from wrestling all night, he was not going to give up until he got his blessing. As he desperately held on with all his might, crying and begging for his favor (Hosea 12:4), he got his breakthrough.

Genesis 31:29 - The God of Jacob's father

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

God made himself known to Jacob as the God of your father in the dream he had at Bethel (Genesis 28:13 NIV).

Genesis 28:17 - On holy ground.

And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

This place is holy ground that Jacob was lying on when he dreamt his vision. Just like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5-6), Jacob became afraid when he realized that he was in the presence of God. Joshua too found himself standing on holy ground when the captain of the Lord's army appeared before him, just before the fall of Jericho (Joshua 5:15).

Genesis 28:15 - If God said it, He'll do it!

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Just as God said, He brought Jacob back to Luz, the Canaanite city that Jacob renamed Bethel (Genesis 28:19). Jacob returned to where he had the dream and called it Elbethel because there God appeared to him after he had fled from his brother (Genesis 35:7).