Do Not Interpretations Belong to God? (Genesis 40:8)

2022-08-28

The interpretation of Scripture comes from God. We must have revelation from Him if we want to own truth from Him. Consider Joseph and Daniel, whom the Lord used in dream interpretation:

Of Pharaoh’s butler and baker: “And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you” (Genesis 40:8).

Of Pharaoh: “And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16).

Of Nebuchadnezzar: “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these” (Daniel 2:28).

In each case, the men said that interpretation of dreams came from God, not man. How much more is this true of the Word of God? Again, it is written, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Scripture came from the Holy Spirit, not man; therefore, the interpretation thereof belongs to Him. And again, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). And again, of the Ethiopian man before his conversion, it says, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:30-31).

Lord, please give us wisdom in the reading of your Word and give us what you would have us to know.