Pharaoh asked Yosef to interpret his dreams. Yosef interpreted the dreams to Pharaoh’s satisfaction. He then proceeded to offer unsolicited advice. Is that not going beyond the scope of what he was asked to do? What compelled Yosef to step forward, to propel himself for the position? Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, zl, offers a practical response. He analogizes this to two officers who had a penchant for glory. They were so wrapped up in themselves that they assumed that everyone admired and adored them. They once came to the train station and found a band playing. Each one thought that the band was playing in his honor. Each one absolutely refused to be swayed from believing that he was the focus of attention. They decided they would go seek out a Jew who was known for his wisdom and ask him to render his opinion in order to solve their “dispute.”
It so happened that right around the corner from the station, this wise Jew lived in abject poverty. In fact, he had no money for the holiday of Pesach which was quickly approaching. Suddenly, these two officers burst through his door with their request that he solve their dispute. He agreed to arbitrate their case, providing they pay him fifty rubles for his time. After they paid their money, he told them, “The band was not there for either one of you, but for me, so that I could have money to purchase provisions for Pesach!”
The same idea may be applied to Yosef. He understood that Pharaoh’s dreams were not for him or for his magicians. Hashem can send a famine without dreams. The dreams were there for one purpose–Yosef. Yosef was released from prison through the medium of the dreams. Consequently, Yosef told Pharaoh, “I am the underlying reason for your dreams. Therefore, seek out for yourself an astute and wise person and transfer authority to him.” Pharaoh understood Yosef’s implied message and responded, “There is no one more wise than you. Therefore, you will supervise over my home.”
We all should open our eyes, so that we might perceive the various messages Hashem sends us. It is regrettable that we somehow always think that He is communicating to someone else.
