Genesis 41:32-38
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
When God says something twice, it is not because He is uncertain.
It is because the matter is settled.
Joseph tells Pharaoh plainly, “This is established by God, and it is coming soon.” In other words, this is not a possibility. This is not one option among many. This is fixed. The years of plenty are coming, and the famine is coming right behind them.
That is how God warns us sometimes. He lets us know ahead of time what is on the horizon so we can be ready before it arrives. I like that, because our Lord is not careless with His people. He does not just tell us trouble is coming and then leave us empty handed. He also gives wisdom for how to prepare.
Joseph does not stop with interpretation.
He gives counsel.
Store now. Save now. Get ready now.
That is wisdom. During the years of abundance, do not live as though abundance will never end. Gather while you can. Prepare while you can. Use the good season wisely, because a hard season is on the way.
That speaks to life in a very practical way.
When the Lord gives peace, use it well.
When the Lord gives strength, use it well.
When the Lord gives opportunity, use it well.
Do not waste healthy seasons. Do not squander fruitful years. God often prepares His people for future heaviness by what He teaches them in present blessing.
And then Pharaoh says something remarkable. Looking at Joseph, he asks, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”
What a statement.
Joseph had no Bible school diploma.
No royal pedigree.
No political machine behind him.
But there was something on him that even Pharaoh could see.
The Spirit of God.
That was the difference.
Not merely intelligence.
Not merely administration.
Not merely composure under pressure.
The Spirit of God.
And Joseph points us again to Jesus, for One would come after Joseph in whom the Spirit would dwell fully. John 3:34 says of Jesus, “for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” Joseph had the Spirit upon him in a beautiful way, but Jesus carried the fullness.
That is why when famine hits the soul, when the years turn heavy, when all the wisdom of Egypt runs dry, Jesus is still enough. He is greater than Joseph. He does not merely interpret the crisis. He is the answer in the crisis. He does not merely help store bread. He is the Bread.
Beloved, if God has given you a season of plenteous years, do not waste it.
Draw near to Jesus now.
Get the Word in you now.
Learn obedience now.
Store truth in your heart now.
Because when heavy days come, the people who stood strongest will not be the careless ones. They will be the ones who used their years of blessing to get ready.
And above all, may it be said of us, not that we were clever, not that we were impressive, but that there was something of the Spirit of God about our lives.