Genesis 41:32

Genesis 41:32 KJV is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Joseph and Pharaoh, where Joseph explains the significance of Pharaoh's two similar dreams. This verse underscores the divine origin and certainty of the coming events, specifically seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine across Egypt and the known world.

Context

This verse comes as Joseph, having been unjustly imprisoned, is brought before Pharaoh to interpret his troubling dreams. Pharaoh had dreamed of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean cows, and seven full ears of corn being swallowed by seven withered ones. Joseph's wisdom, attributed to God, enabled him to not only interpret the dreams as signifying periods of plenty and scarcity but also to explain why the dreams were repeated.

The immediate context is Joseph's interpretation, which begins in Genesis 41:25, where he declares, "The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do." The doubling of the dream, as explained in verse 32, serves as a divine seal of certainty and urgency regarding the impending events.

Key Themes

• Divine Sovereignty and Revelation: The verse powerfully asserts that God is in control of future events. The dreams are not random but a direct revelation from God, demonstrating His foreknowledge and power over creation and human affairs. This highlights God's ability to reveal His plans to humanity.
• Certainty of Prophecy: The doubling of the dream signifies that the message is absolutely certain and unchangeable. It's a divine confirmation, ensuring that Pharaoh (and through him, Egypt) understands the gravity and inevitability of what is to come. This mirrors the biblical principle of confirmation seen elsewhere in scripture, such as the need for two or three witnesses for a matter to be established.
• Divine Timing and Urgency: The phrase "God will shortly bring it to pass" highlights the immediacy of God's plan. This wasn't a distant prophecy but an imminent reality, demanding immediate action and preparation from Pharaoh and his kingdom.
• Preparation and Wisdom: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the certainty established here directly leads to Joseph's counsel for strategic preparation, ultimately saving countless lives during the severe famine (see Genesis 41:33-36).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "doubled unto Pharaoh twice" translates the Hebrew word shanah (שָׁנָה), which means "to repeat" or "to do a second time." This repetition is not for redundancy but for emphasis and confirmation of the message's veracity. The word "established" comes from the Hebrew root kun (כּוּן), meaning "to be firm," "to be fixed," or "to be prepared." It conveys the idea that God has firmly set this plan in motion and it is unalterable.

The phrase "will shortly bring it to pass" uses the Hebrew memaher la'asotah (מְמַהֵר לַעֲשׂוֹתָהּ), which literally means "hastening to do it." This emphasizes the swiftness and certainty of God's action, reinforcing the urgency of Joseph's interpretation and subsequent advice for Egypt.

Practical Application

Genesis 41:32 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

• God's Plans are Sure: Just as God's plan for Egypt was fixed, so are His promises and purposes for His people. When God reveals something, whether through His Word or by His Spirit, its fulfillment is certain. This gives believers confidence in His unchanging counsel and sovereign will.
• Heed Divine Warnings: The urgency in Pharaoh's dream serves as a reminder to pay attention to God's warnings and revelations, whether they pertain to personal conduct, societal trends, or spiritual realities.
• Preparation is Key: Recognizing the certainty of God's plans should prompt us to prepare. For Pharaoh, it meant storing grain. For believers, it might mean spiritual preparation, wise stewardship of resources, or actively participating in God's work, knowing that His kingdom will ultimately prevail.
• God Uses Unexpected Means: God used a dream, a foreign prisoner, and a pagan king to accomplish His will. This reminds us that God works through diverse and often surprising channels to bring about His purposes, demonstrating His ultimate control over all things.