Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

The Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream
Joseph said, "'God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.'"
There were to be seven years of great plenty. Field and garden
would yield more abundantly than ever before, and this period was
to be followed by seven years of famine. "'So the plenty will not be
known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be
very severe. ... Now therefore,'" he continued, "'let Pharaoh select a
discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let
Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect
one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful
years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are
coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let
them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for
the land for the seven years of famine.'"
The interpretation was reasonable and consistent. The policy it
recommended was sound and sensible. But who was to be entrusted
with carrying out the plan? The nation's preservation depended on
the wisdom of this choice.
For some time the matter of the appointment was under
consideration. Through the chief butler the monarch had learned of
Joseph's wisdom and good judgment in managing the prison. It was
plain that he possessed superior administrative ability. In all the
realm, Joseph was the only man gifted with wisdom to point out the
danger that threatened the kingdom and the preparation necessary to
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