Learning from the Lean and Ugly.

Genesis 41:25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 

Since we last discussed Joseph, his life had gone from bad to worse - from a pit to prison, only to be forgotten.  But in God's plan he was the one and only one present who could do what needed to be done: reveal God's plan to Pharoah. Through his struggles, Joseph had gotten to know God very well, and to know what God was saying and showing. It was clear to him, so he puts it plainly here to Pharoah. As the account proceeds, God had also been preparing Joseph to be a further part of the plan. His time in Potiphar's household and a trusted steward in the prison had trained him in business and administration. It was clear to him what needed to be done. Joseph had had his "lean and ugly" years, so he knew what to do with them. Prepare for them and build on them.  May we learn the same.