The story of Joseph is one of the most well-known in the Bible. Joseph was the favored son of Jacob, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. In Egypt, Joseph gained favor with Pharaoh by interpreting his dreams, predicting seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom, Pharaoh appointed him to oversee food storage during the plentiful years and distribution during the famine. Joseph ended up becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:37-45). But why did Pharaoh entrust so much responsibility to a foreigner and a slave?
There are several reasons why Pharaoh elevated Joseph to such a position of power in Egypt:
1. Joseph demonstrated wisdom and discernment from God
When Pharaoh had his dreams that no one else could interpret, it was Joseph who, with God’s help, was able to discern their meaning (Genesis 41:16). Pharaoh recognized that Joseph had access to knowledge and wisdom that went beyond normal channels. As Joseph himself said, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer” (Genesis 41:16). This divine wisdom was evidence to Pharaoh that Joseph would be an ideal leader to carry out God’s plans during the years of plenty and famine.
2. Joseph had proven himself as a capable leader
Before being summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph had already successfully managed Potiphar’s household. As Genesis 39:4-6 tells us, Potiphar left all his affairs in Joseph’s hands because he saw that “the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.” Then, as a prisoner, Joseph was made overseer of all the other prisoners because he was recognized as a capable, trustworthy leader (Genesis 39:20-23). Pharaoh likely would have heard reports about Joseph’s leadership skills and saw that he could handle great responsibility.
3. Joseph brought glory to God
Throughout his trials – being sold into slavery, wrongly accused, and imprisoned – Joseph maintained his faith in God. When given the opportunity, Joseph was quick to give God the glory for his interpretive abilities, rather than taking the credit himself (Genesis 41:16). Pharaoh likely saw Joseph’s humility and testimony to God’s power as positive attributes for an advisor and leader. Appointing Joseph, a man who obviously revered the gods, would bring blessing and honor to Egypt in the people’s eyes.
4. God granted Joseph favor in Pharaoh’s eyes
On multiple occasions, the Bible makes it clear that the Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2, 21, 23). When Pharaoh met Joseph and listened to his interpretation, he could sense that he had the Spirit of God within him (Genesis 41:38). Beyond Joseph’s leadership capabilities and wisdom, it was divine favor that prompted Pharaoh to put Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom. As Proverbs 21:1 declares, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” The Lord turned Pharaoh’s heart to look upon Joseph with extreme favor.
5. Joseph’s plan pleased Pharaoh and his officials
Not only did Joseph interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, but he also proposed a wise course of action. Genesis 41:33-36 records how Joseph outlined a plan for managing resources during the plentiful years in preparation for the famine. Pharaoh and his royal officials recognized the prudence and feasibility of Joseph’s strategy. Here was a man who not only understood God’s plans but could formulate a workable solution. Joseph’s combination of divine insight and practical planning ability convinced Pharaoh he was the right man for the job.
6. Joseph was seen as impartial and unbiased
As a foreigner and a slave, Joseph had no ties or loyalties to any factions within the Egyptian government. Appointing one of Pharaoh’s existing officials could have stirred up jealousy and suspicion of preferential treatment. But Joseph was an outsider, detached from internal politics. Pharaoh knew Joseph would carry out his policies without any conflict of interest. His impartiality made him trustworthy.
7. God orchestrated circumstances to exalt Joseph
While the reasons above help explain Pharaoh’s openness to appointing Joseph, the bigger truth is that God sovereignly worked to place Joseph in a position of influence. Despite betrayals, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment, God ensured Joseph was trained in leadership and management during the very times he would need those skills. God foreknew the famine was coming, so many years in advance He positioned Joseph right where he needed to be. As Joseph later told his brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:7-8). No matter how much favor Joseph found in others’ eyes, it was ultimately God who promoted him.
8. Joseph was uniquely equipped to lead Egypt through the famine
Putting all these reasons together, Joseph was strategically prepared and positioned for his role. His spiritual insight, leadership experience, favor with God and Pharaoh, impartiality, and stellar plan made Joseph the ideal candidate to lead Egypt through the years of plenty and famine. God gifted Joseph with exactly what was needed and orchestrated all the events leading up to his appointment. The Bible emphasizes God’s sovereignty, wisdom and foreknowledge in elevating Joseph to power at just the right time.
9. God used Joseph’s power to bless his family and many nations
In the end, God had a bigger purpose for Joseph’s leadership position. As Joseph later told his brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors” (Genesis 45:7). Out of all his sons, God chose Joseph to be the deliverer of Jacob’s whole family during the famine. And not only were the Israelites saved, but through Joseph’s wise management, “all the countries came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain” (Genesis 41:57). At a pivotal moment in history, God strategically placed Joseph to bless and sustain His chosen people as well as the surrounding nations that came to Joseph for help. His power was used for good.
10. Joseph points forward to the Messiah
Joseph’s life foreshadows the life of Christ in many ways. He suffered unjustly but was later exalted. He resisted temptation and maintained his integrity. He cared for God’s people in their time of need. He forgave those who wronged him. And ultimately, he saved these individuals so that a remnant might be preserved. Joseph’s experiences, so carefully orchestrated by God’s sovereignty and wisdom, point forward to the coming Messiah who would also suffer, be exalted, save a remnant, and extend salvation to the nations.
In summary, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to his right hand because he discerned divine wisdom and leadership gifts within him, because God granted Joseph favor, and ultimately so that many lives could be saved through Joseph’s foresight and management. While Pharaoh did the appointing, it was God’s providence behind it all, working His redemptive purposes. Joseph’s power foreshadowed the coming of the Messiah who would save His people from their sins and offer salvation to all who would believe.
Joseph’s sudden rise to power is a testament to God’s sovereignty and grace. Even when circumstances seem hopeless, God can exalt His children at the proper time to accomplish His good purposes. Joseph’s story reminds us to maintain integrity and trust God with our gifts and talents, and He will use them to bless others when the time is right.