What did Joseph do for Pharaoh that got him promoted to second in command over Egypt?

In the book of Genesis, Joseph’s rise from a prison inmate to the second most powerful person in Egypt is an incredible tapestry woven with divine providence and human talent. Joseph found himself imprisoned after being wrongfully accused, but his gift for interpreting dreams was part of his extraordinary path to prominence. When Pharaoh had troubling dreams that none of his wise men could decipher, word of Joseph's skills reached him.

Average folks may interpret a dream as just a nocturnal whim, but in the ancient Near East, dreams were viewed as significant messages or warnings from the divine. Joseph, fresh from prison, not only recounted Pharaoh's visions—a looming famine following seven years of abundance—but also provided a practical and proactive plan: store grain during the years of plenty for the lean years ahead. Pharaoh was impressed, proclaiming in Genesis 41:39 that 'since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.'

This tale echoes with themes of resilience and resourcefulness. Similarly, in later stories, leaders and figures like Daniel also interpret dreams in a foreign court, linking them with insights into the divine. Joseph’s onion-like story of struggles and triumphs shows that often harsh circumstances are rebirths in disguise. And when we consider tradition, Joseph becomes a foreshadowing of leaders throughout the ages who rise due to wisdom gleaned from adversity.