Read: Genesis 40
Two of
Joseph’s companions in prison were Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and his chief
baker. For some reason Pharaoh was angry
at these men and put them in prison (v. 2).
Joseph was appointed to be over them and they were in prison together
with Joseph for a while (v. 4). Both of
these men had upsetting dreams on the same night so Joseph inquired about their
misery (v. 7). These men realized that
they had had prophetic dreams of great importance but that there was no one to
interpret them. Joseph replied by
saying, “Do not interpretations belong to
God? Please tell them to me.” Joseph was acknowledging that God alone can
give the interpretation.
First, the
chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph. He had dreamt of a vine that had
three branches. This vine had buds and
blossoms and brought forth clusters of ripe grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in his hand and he pressed
the grapes into the cup and gave it to Pharaoh to drink (v. 10-11). Joseph interpreted the dream for the chief
cupbearer – the three branches were three days.
In three days Pharaoh would restore the cupbearer to his former job (v.
12-13). Joseph then requested that he
remember him and to get him out of prison, as Joseph claimed his innocence (v.
14-15).
Next, the
chief baker had seen three baskets on his head in his dream and inside there
were all sorts of baked foods for Pharaoh.
But the birds came and ate out of the baskets (v. 16-17). Joseph then told the chief baker the interpretation
of the dream. The three baskets
represented that in three days Pharaoh would hang him from a tree and the birds
would eat his flesh (v. 18-19).
The chapter
concludes by telling us how both dreams were fulfilled according to Joseph’s
interpretations. On the third day
Pharaoh made a feast for his servants and restored the cupbearer to his
position and had thee chief baker hanged (v. 30-22). Unfortunately, the chief cupbearer did not
remember Joseph, but forgot him (v. 23).
Prayer and Journaling
1. In
this chapter we find Joseph far away from his father’s house where he was
favoured. Where had his life of honesty
and integrity gotten him? How would he
continue to handle injustices and discouragement? God allowed Joseph to be tested, mistreated
and forgotten. God was refining him and
developing him into a godly man and leader that could be used to serve His
purposes. In this chapter we see that
Joseph had no negative attitudes towards God; in fact, he gives God the credit
for the interpretation of the dreams showing how He trusts God. Yet Joseph was forgotten again, as the
cupbearer did not remember him. Pray
that God would grow you and the church in accepting and handling injustices
with good character. Pray that believers
would not get discouraged when they are mistreated. Pray that believers grow in trusting God
through all circumstances.
2. God
is looking for faith that will not be destroyed by circumstances. Even though we don’t always understand, we
know God’s timing is always perfect.
This chapter gives us a beautiful lesson on how to deal with despair and
depression. Joseph had an absolute and
unshakable confidence in God and that God was with him in his suffering. Freedom from pain and problems is not a sign
of spiritual maturity – it’s how we handle pain and problems that shows our
spiritual maturity. God does not promise
that believers will not suffer but rather He does promise to give a sufficient
measure of His grace to endure it. What
does God desire to say to you today about this?
Ask Him to show you any wrong thoughts or feelings that you may have
towards adversity.
3. God
had given Joseph two prophetic dreams about his brothers bowing to him. This was Joseph’s assurance that God would
deliver him. Today many Christians go
about with a wild optimism advocating the power of positive thinking. Is it better to think positively or think Biblically? Positive thinking tells us that we can
control our circumstances if we just think right. Biblical thinking tells us to pursue Biblical
goals and use Biblical means (such as prayer and listening prayer) and to be
motivated by Biblical desires. We must
put our confidence in God and not ourselves.
God may not help us escape suffering but He will help us endure it! Ask the Lord to show you a difficulty that
you are facing in your life. Then ask
the Lord to show you how to think and act Biblically in this situation. Ask Him to help grow your faith, to help you
endure and to grow your trust in Him thought his circumstance.
