In Genesis chapter 41 we find that Pharaoh had two dreams and he was troubled greatly by them. He sent for all of the magicians and wise men of Egypt to interpret his dreams but none were able. Then Pharaoh’s chief butler, who had been in prison with Joseph, remembered how Joseph had interpreted his dream, and the interpretation had come true! The butler told Pharaoh about Joseph, and Pharaoh had Joseph brought out of prison to interpret his dreams. In response, Joseph humbly said, “It is not in me: but God will give Pharaoh an answer.”—Gen. 41:16
Pharaoh’s first dream had seven fat cows followed by seven lean cows. The second dream had seven full ears of corn followed by seven thin ears. In the dreams, the lean cows devoured the fat cows and the thin ears of corn devoured the full ears of corn. Joseph said, “God has showed Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (Gen. 41:25) The dreams meant the same thing: seven years of an abundant harvest followed by seven years of famine in the land of Egypt.
In response to the interpretation, and Joseph’s suggestion that Pharaoh appoint a man to collect the surplus for the coming famine, Pharaoh made Joseph ruler over his whole kingdom and gave him a new name, Zaphnath-paaneah, meaning “bread of life.” Joseph stored the surplus food from the years of plenty so, when the famine came, no one died from starvation. He became the life giver of Egypt, a type of the greater life giver, THE CHRIST, who will reign supreme and will provide a complete provision of the bread of life for every member of our race in his kingdom. In Jesus was life, and he gave it on behalf of Adam and all mankind.
During the Gospel Age, only Jesus’ followers have fed on this bread, to be developed as a member of Christ’s body and, if faithful, glorified together with him in heaven. Then in the Millennial Age during Christ’s earthly kingdom, the world will hunger after righteousness. Christ and his body members (his bride, the church), will dispense to all mankind, the bread of life they will need to gain everlasting life.
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