“So the king [ Pharaoh] said to Joseph, “God has shown you all this. There is no one as wise and understanding [discerning] as you are .”
Genesis 41:34 EXB
When Joseph was summoned by Pharaoh, he listened to Pharaoh’s dream and interpreted the meaning of it, which was something that nobody else had been able to do.
Joseph was able to do this because he had both understanding and wisdom. He understood the meaning of the dream, and he had the wisdom to know what Pharaoh should do during the seven years of plenty and famine that were coming upon Egypt.
When Joseph told Pharaoh that someone with wisdom and understanding should be chosen to oversee his plan, this is how Pharaoh responded:
“So Pharaoh said to Joseph, You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom. From now on, you’re in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.”
Gen 41:39 Message
The message version of the bible paraphrases “understanding” as “having the inside story”. Understanding is the ability to see the inside story in any interaction or situation we find ourselves in.
The word ‘understanding” is also translated as “discernment.”
The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis, meaning the ability to distinguish, discern, judge or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment.
Joseph’s understanding gave him the inside story that enabled him to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, see his own dream become a reality and save the nations from starvation in a time of severe famine.
Let’s pray that like Joseph, God will give us the ability to see the inside story in every conversation, personal interaction and situation this year; and that new understanding and discernment will bring new life and blessing to us and those in our world.