Nougat 22

It’s great to realize that God authorizes the interpretation of our dreams. There is of course, the matter of authorization. It is my hope that Today’s Holy Nougat will add clarity.

“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not I; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Acknowledging God’s Authority

Some might argue that this conversation was an insertion to underscore the shift in power relations in Joseph’s context. That may well be the case – a prisoner, suddenly being hosted by pharaoh – yet it seems unlikely. Whether the argument holds or not, we can see the levels of authority in the interplay between pharaoh and Joseph.

For pharaoh, he simply needed any person to interpret his dreams, even if it was a prisoner. In response, Joseph turned the attention away from himself, and situated God as Central to the pharaoh’s request. He was very clear in acknowledging God as the Source for his gift of interpretation of dreams.

Do we do likewise? When invited to respond to an issue, do we acknowledge God as both Source and Interpreter of dreams? Or, caught up in the moment, do we neglect to honor God? We may feel that this is a non-issue, but as believers, acknowledging God in such settings could be a point of evangelism.

As we reflect on dreams and their interpretation, may we be drawn to include God in our conversations, and giving credit to God, the giver of all good gifts.

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May all we seek be found in Christ