John Calvin Commentary Genesis 41:33

"Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt." — Genesis 41:33 (ASV)

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man. Joseph does more than he had been asked to do; for he is not merely the interpreter of the dream; but, as fulfilling the office of a prophet, he also adds instruction and counsel. For we know that the true and lawful prophets of God do not only predict what will happen in the future, but also propose remedies for impending evils.

Therefore Joseph, after he had uttered a prophecy of the changes that would take place in fourteen years, now teaches what should be done and exhorts Pharaoh to be vigilant in fulfilling this duty. And one of the marks by which God always distinguished his own prophets from false foretellers was to endow them with the power of teaching and exhorting, so that they would not uselessly predict future events.

Let us grant that the predictions of Apollo and of all the magicians were true, and were not entangled with ambiguous expressions; yet where did they lead, if not to drive people headlong into perverse confidence or plunge them into despair? A very different method of prophesying was divinely prescribed, which would form people in piety, lead them to repentance, and stir them to prayer when oppressed with fear.

Moreover, because the prophecy mentioned here was published only for the temporal advantage of this fleeting life, Joseph goes no further than showing the king for what purpose the dream had been sent to him; as if he had said, “Do not be sorry on account of this revelation; accept this advantage from it, so that you may relieve the poverty of your kingdom.”

However, there is no doubt that God guided his tongue so that Pharaoh would entrust him with this office. For he does not craftily insinuate himself into the king’s favor, nor does he abuse the gift of revelation for his private gain. Instead, what had been divinely ordained was brought to its proper outcome without his knowledge: namely, that the famishing house of Jacob should find unexpected sustenance.