Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 41:16 (New Living Translation)

16 “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

Joseph was talking to Pharaoh. We read earlier that Pharaoh was “very disturbed by the dreams.” He was so disturbed that on the advice of a household servant he demanded that some foreigner who had been in prison 13 years be brought to him immediately. After a shower and shave, here is Joseph.

This is Joseph’s big chance to get out of jail and live the fine life. What does Joseph say? “Me? Can’t do a thing, but God can set you at ease.”

Come on Joseph. You don’t need to be so candid. Seize the moment. Take the credit. Gosh.

God can:

1. Interpret dreams
2. Set you at ease

Let’s focus on the second miracle (I believe they are both miraculous). Many times we learn from the Bible that God grants peace of mind and peace of heart and relief from the worry and angst we suffer. Telling this one man what his dreams meant would set his mind at ease. The problems would not go away (the famine came), but the worry would. The problem became known; the problem solvers and project managers went to work. All was not well, but all was settled.

Pharaoh’s mind was at ease.

Heaven. No worry. Peace of mind. They are all part of the same thing.

Yes, we have terrible days here on earth. Sickness, death, debt, and worse. Promise of better. Peace of mind and heart. Thank you God.