SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 40
BIBLE VERSES:
“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” (Genesis 40:14-15)
“Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. (Genesis 40:20-23)
THE CUPBEARER AND THE BAKER (vs. 1-23)
The chief cupbearer and the baker had offended the Egyptian king Pharaoh. Pharaoh was angry and had them kept in the same prison of Joseph. Both of them had dreams. The cupbearer told Joseph his dream saying: “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me and on the vine were 3 branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand” (vs. 9-11). Joseph interpreted his dream saying: “The 3 branches are 3 days. Within 3 days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and how me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon” (vs. 12-15).
When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he also revealed his dream to Joseph saying: “I too had a dream. On my head were 3 baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head” (vs. 16-17). Joseph said: “This is what it means: The 3 baskets are 3 days. Within 3 days, Pharaoh will lift off your head and hand you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh” (v. 18-19)
The third day was Pharaoh’s birthday. He gave a feast for all his officials. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position but hanged the chief baker just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. However, the chief cupbearer forget about Joseph.
THOUGHTS:
Joseph had been treated unjustly but he knew that one day God would fulfill his Word. When Joseph interpreted the two dreams, he gave all the glory to the Lord. When you are capable of doing something extraordinary, be sure to be humble and give all the glory to God.
Joseph requested the chief cupbearer to remember him and tell Pharaoh about his predicament. But the cupbearer forgot about him. Joseph was leaning on the arm of flesh that failed him. Joseph had learned a lesson never to trust in man. In life, we encounter men who are ungrateful. So when you feel being passed by, overlooked or forgotten, don’t be surprised. Instead of trusting men to solve your problems, trust God in His time.
Comparison of Joseph and Jesus (By Warren Wiersbe)
- Joseph was a beloved son of Jacob. / Jesus is a beloved son of God the Father.
- Joseph was sold for 20 shekels of silver. / Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver.
- Joseph had to suffer before he was promoted. / Jesus had to be suffer on the cross before he entered his glory.
- Joseph was victorious over temptation. / Jesus won over Satan’s temptation.
- Joseph served faithfully. / Jesus is a faithful servant of God.
- Joseph saved the nation from hunger. / Jesus save all mankind from eternal death.
- Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him. / The Israelites did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.