Joseph’s life had been filled with trials and with each hardship he had the opportunity to become angry or bitter, but he chose to stay faithful to God’s plans. He was hated by his brothers (37:4), sold as a slave by his wicked brothers (37:27-28), and ended up as a servant to Potiphar, officer of Pharaoh, in Egypt (37:36). While serving Potiphar, Joseph found favor with him and rose to a position of authority (39:1-6) until Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape and had him thrown into prison (39:7-20). The Lord was with Joseph during his imprisonment (39:21) and he rose to a position of authority while he was in prison (39:22-23). During Joseph’s imprisonment, Pharaoh’s butler (cupbearer) and baker were thrown into prison and Joseph became responsible for taking care of them (40:1-4). One night the cupbearer and baker both had dreams and when they awoke from their dreams they were very sad because there was no interpretation (40:5-8a). Joseph noticed their sad countenance and discovered that their dreams were bothering them so he told them that interpretations belong to God (40:8b). They told their dreams to Joseph, who was familiar with interpreting dreams (see Genesis 37:5-11), and he listened to each of them describe their dream. The cupbearer detailed his dream (40:9-11) and Joseph revealed that in three days he would be restored to his former position before Pharaoh (40:12-13). Joseph then appealed to the cupbearer saying, “And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it” (40:14-15, NLT). After interpreting the cupbearer’s dream, Joseph interpreted the dream of the baker, but the interpretation was not good news for him. Joseph revealed that in three days Pharaoh would behead him, hang him on a tree, and leave his body for the birds to eat (40:16-19). Three days later, all that Joseph had said came to pass. The cupbearer was restored to his duties before Pharaoh (40:20-21) while the baker was put to death (40:22). When the cupbearer resumed his position before Pharaoh, he forgot about Joseph and failed to ask for his release as Joseph had requested him to do (40:23; see also 40:14-15). Joseph had every right to be angry at his circumstance, but he always seems to embrace God’s plan and patiently wait for the next step in his journey. Joseph was a man who was guided by faith and not his circumstances.
Dear God, may my faith in You overcome any obstacles which enter my life.
