Dec 26
One detail in the dream bothered them. One detail in the dream changed their interpretation. Pharaoh dreamt of the two sets of cows standing together. "The lean cows stood next to the fat cows". If the cows were to represent the fiscal state of the country, how could times of prosperity coexist with times of scarcity? They reasoned that it would be impossible to have these two polar opposites occurring at the same time.
Josephs genius was not in relating the cows to the fiscal state of Egypt, that was obvious. Josephs genius lay in explaining why the two cows stood together. How could years of abundance could coexist with years of scarcity.
Answer: What was so difficult about the dream interpretation? W/ a contemporary lesson.
Earlier this week I was wondering what was so difficult about interpreting Pharaohs dream the way that Joseph did, see previous post.
Here is Pharaohs first dream:
"It came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh was dreaming, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. And behold, from the Nile were coming up seven cows, of handsome appearance and robust flesh, and they pastured in the marshland. And behold, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, of ugly appearance and lean of flesh, and they stood beside the cows [which were] on the Nile bank. And the cows of ugly appearance and lean of flesh devoured the seven cows that were of handsome appearance and healthy; then Pharaoh awoke."
The wise men of Egypt understood that fat and lean cows could mean years of abundance and of famine. Fat cows are a result of a good harvest. Lean cows are a result of a poor harvest. Obvious point. They also understood that the fat cows being consumed by the lean cows meant the good years would come to an end. Famine and hunger would consume abundance and prosperity. Again, obvious point.
"It came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh was dreaming, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. And behold, from the Nile were coming up seven cows, of handsome appearance and robust flesh, and they pastured in the marshland. And behold, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, of ugly appearance and lean of flesh, and they stood beside the cows [which were] on the Nile bank. And the cows of ugly appearance and lean of flesh devoured the seven cows that were of handsome appearance and healthy; then Pharaoh awoke."
The wise men of Egypt understood that fat and lean cows could mean years of abundance and of famine. Fat cows are a result of a good harvest. Lean cows are a result of a poor harvest. Obvious point. They also understood that the fat cows being consumed by the lean cows meant the good years would come to an end. Famine and hunger would consume abundance and prosperity. Again, obvious point.
One detail in the dream bothered them. One detail in the dream changed their interpretation. Pharaoh dreamt of the two sets of cows standing together. "The lean cows stood next to the fat cows". If the cows were to represent the fiscal state of the country, how could times of prosperity coexist with times of scarcity? They reasoned that it would be impossible to have these two polar opposites occurring at the same time.
They, therefore, interpreted the dream to mean that Pharaoh would birth seven daughters and bury seven daughters. That is something which could happen at one time. Whilst seven of his concubines would birth seven daughters, another seven of his daughters would die. Thus, the joy of having seven girls would be consumed by a father having to bury his seven children.
Josephs genius was not in relating the cows to the fiscal state of Egypt, that was obvious. Josephs genius lay in explaining why the two cows stood together. How could years of abundance could coexist with years of scarcity.
The answer: Whilst there are fat cows, think about lean cows. This way when there are lean cows you still have fat cows. Whilst there is abundance, think about scarcity. This way when there is scarcity you still have abundance. You have both sets of cows coexisting together.
Modern day answer: "Save for a rainy day!"
During years of abundance...
don't ... go on shopping binges!
don't ... overspend!
don't ... over leverage!
You should save and store. Take all of the grains and put them in storehouses. If you want to have fat cows whilst you have lean cows than think ahead. Know that there will be a rainy day. Know that there will be difficult times and plan ahead for them.
Thanks for reading.
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Great fat cow.