Joseph interpreteth the two dreams of Pharao: he is made ruler over all Egypt.
“Then at length the chief butler remembering, said: I confess my sin.” (Genesis 41:9)
God orders all things for good for those who love him.
“See God’s wonderful design. First he let him have recourse to all those considered wise in those parts so that, when their ignorance was demonstrated, then this prisoner, this captive, this slave, this Hebrew, might be brought forward and unravel what was a mystery to so many, and thus Joseph might make clear to everyone the grace that had descended on him from above. So when all the wise men arrived and were unable to say anything or even open their mouths, then the chief cupbearer’s memory returned, and he informed Pharaoh of what had happened to him, saying, ‘Today I’m going to bring to light my fault.’” -St. John Chrysostom
“Thou shalt be over my house, and at the commandment of thy mouth all the people shall obey: only in the kingly throne will I be above thee.” (Genesis 41:40)
Trials produce perseverance, perseverance produces hope.
See how all of a sudden the prisoner is made king of the whole of Egypt; the one sent to prison by the chief steward was raised by the king to the highest rank; his former master suddenly saw that the man whom he had cast into prison as an adulterer was awarded authority over the whole of Egypt. Do you see how important it is to bear trials thankfully? Hence Paul also said, ‘Distress promotes endurance, endurance promotes character, character promotes hope, and hope does not disappoint.’ So take note: Joseph bore distress with endurance, endurance gave him character, having such character he acted in hope, and hope did not disappoint him.” -St. John Chrysostom
Discussion: In seeing how Joseph’s character was more refined as gold by the hand of God, how can we be patient in sufferings? Recall a time in your life when you needed to endure a suffering patiently and witnessed the good that came from it.
“And when there also they began to be famished, the people cried to Pharao for food. And he said to them: Go to Joseph: and do all that he shall say to you.” (Genesis 41:55)
Joseph is a prefigure of Christ and his spiritual nourishment of souls.
“Indeed, anyone who was suffering from famine was sent to Joseph. Who are these people? Those of whom it is said, ‘They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs.’ Now there was famine, not in one locality alone but over the whole land, because there was no one to do good. Therefore the Lord Jesus, taking pity on the hungers of the world, opened his granaries and disclosed the hidden treasures of the heavenly mysteries, of wisdom and of knowledge, so that none would lack for nourishment. For Wisdom said, ‘Come, eat my bread,’ and only the one who is filled with Christ can say, ‘The Lord feeds me, and I shall want nothing.’ Therefore Christ opened his granaries and sold, while asking not monetary payments but the price of faith and the recompense of devotion. He sold, moreover, not to a few people in Judea but to all, so that he might be believed by all peoples.” -St. Ambrose of Milan
And all provinces came into Egypt, to buy food, and to seek some relief of their want. – Genesis 41:57
All who do not have Christ, remain spiritually hungry and thirsty.
“Yes, the famine had taken hold of them. For all people that have not been fed by Christ are hungry. And so let us buy the nourishment with which we can avert famine. Let no one hold back out of consideration of his poverty; let no one who does not have money be afraid. Christ does not ask money but faith, which is more valuable than money. Indeed Peter, who did not have money, bought him. ‘Silver and gold I do not have,’ he said, ‘but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ arise and walk.’ And the prophet Isaiah says, ‘All you who are thirsty, come to the water, and you that have no money come, buy, and drink and eat without money and without the price of the wine.’ For he who paid the price of his blood for us did not ask a price from us, because he redeemed us not with gold or silver but with his precious blood. Therefore you owe that price with which you have been bought. Even though he does not always demand it, you still owe it. Buy Christ for yourself, then, not with what few people possess, but with what all people possess by nature but few offer on account of fear. What Christ claims from you is his own. He gave his life for everyone; he offered his death for everyone. Pay on behalf of your Creator what you are going to pay by law. He is not bargained for at a slight price, and not all persons see him readily. Indeed, those virgins in the Gospel whom the bridegroom kept out upon his coming were left out of doors exactly because they did not buy the oil that was for sale. On this account it is said to them, ‘Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’ Likewise that merchant deserves praise who sold all his goods and bought the pearl.” -St. Ambrose of Milan
Women's Prayer Group In Christ 