Two years after Joseph correctly interpreted the butler’s dream, Pharaoh also had impressive dreams but could obtain no interpretation from his magicians. Only then did the butler remember Joseph and recommend him to Pharaoh. Joseph, again inspired by the LORD, told Pharaoh that the dreams were from God specifically to inform him of seven years of famine to follow seven years of plenty. Pharaoh was greatly impressed and, adopting Joseph’s scheme to store food in the good years in preparation for the coming famine, appointed him administrator, and exalted him to be the highest ruler in the land, second only to Pharaoh himself. This is typical of Christ who, after years of suffering, was brought out of the prison house of death and appointed, under God, ruler over all.
These events in Egypt show us how God is in absolute control both of nature and of activity among the nations so that everything works out according to his predetermined purpose. Those today who understand that purpose can see the hand of God at work in history and in events taking place in our own time. They can see that the present state of the nations is as God describes in the Bible and can anticipate events about to happen with the return of Christ and the establishment of God’s kingdom in the earth.