There are three sets of dreams in the Joseph narrative. Each
set contains one dream relating to grain (bread/wheat) because the provision of
food plays a key role in the story.
The first set are Joseph’s dreams. They foreshadow his
eventual rule (cf. Genesis 37:8). The first dream has sheaves of grain bowing to Joseph's bundle of sheaves. Its
duplicate reinforces the aspect of rule by featuring sun, moon and stars (cf. Genesis1:16; see also Psalm 136:8-9).
The second set of dreams belong to people who used to serve
the king. The dreams feature bread and wine. Given that the dreamers used to be
Pharaoh’s baker and chief cupbearer, this is not surprising. But bread and wine
are significant in their own right (cf. Genesis 14:18). They speak of
sustenance and gladness (cf. Psalm 104:15). There is arguably nothing in
Biblical theology that encapsulates God’s provision for his people better than
bread and wine.
Pharaoh’s dreams are the final set. They feature cows and
grain. As with the previous set, grain/bread comes in the second position, as
if to underline that the theme introduced in the very first dream of the
narrative is the one towards which everything is heading. But why does its
duplicate feature cows? Most likely because the Hebrew word for cow relates to
the word for being fruitful (already used ten times in the book of Genesis; see
also 41:52; 47:27; 48:4). The final use of the root in the book of Genesis is
to describe Joseph as a fruitful vine (49:22, twice).
The dreams tell a fuller story than it might at first appear
to the eye. Joseph’s dreams are not simply about him ruling over his siblings,
let alone ruling it over them. The dreams speak of God’s provision being
offered in leadership that is fruitful for others.
PS: "Pharaoh" comes from the Egyptian for "great house" but this designation of the king of Egypt sounds a little like the Hebrew for "fruitful".
NB: When the King gives life, he gives abundanlty (wine), hence the cupbearer is restored. When the King withdraws life, even the basics (bread) are gone, hence the baker is executed.
PS: "Pharaoh" comes from the Egyptian for "great house" but this designation of the king of Egypt sounds a little like the Hebrew for "fruitful".
NB: When the King gives life, he gives abundanlty (wine), hence the cupbearer is restored. When the King withdraws life, even the basics (bread) are gone, hence the baker is executed.
