October 16, 2025

 

Genesis 41: 9-17-27

 

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. 22 “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Personally, I like the good news first. Next, I like the bad news to be not true. But if we know the bad news, at least we can prepare and act. 

              

In Pharaoh’s dreams, the good news came first. Seven healthy cows and full heads of grain promised seven years of prosperity. But the scrawny cows and desiccated grain promised that the bad news would supplant the good news. God revealed to Joseph what he was telling Pharaoh. Joseph again gave God the glory. 

              

Bad news and good news come into every life. We don’t get to choose the order. Someone said that troubles come in herds. The best news is God always gives us enough light to depend on him in every circumstance. The God who gave Pharaoh advance notice of a famine is speaking to us today through the story of his Son Jesus who gave his life for us. This is the best news of all, and it transcends all the other stories in our lives. Tell the good news!

 

 

Pray with me:

 

Father, we grow weary of the incessant chatter of the bad news. Help us to focus on the good news today. Make us the “good news people.” Let the best news of all, Jesus’ death and resurrection fill our thoughts today. Let us live as people who have been given new life. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Our Monday through Friday devotionals are in the book of Genesis this year. Join us for these devotionals as we learn together about our God and his Kingdom in the world.  

We also invite you to join us as we read through the Bible. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

 

2025 Bible Reading Plan

 
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