And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed – (40:2–5)
There is Joseph in prison. He’s in charge of the prisoners, and two more prisoners arrive. One morning Joseph notices that they are downcast and inquires as to the reason. They inform him that they have had dreams and there is no one to interpret their dreams. Joseph replies, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me” (Genesis 40:8).
So they tell Joseph their dreams, and he interprets them, telling the chief cupbearer that in three days he will be restored to his position as Pharaoh’s cupbearer. Joseph asks him to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf, as he has been wrongfully imprisoned. He also interprets the baker’s dream, telling him that in three days he will be hanged. Both interpretations come to pass, but the chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph and didn’t mention him to Pharaoh.
We read over and over how God’s favor was with Joseph and He caused him to succeed. But let’s note that Joseph himself wasn’t just sitting around brooding and depressed when various hardships befell him (which would have been normal for most of us). Rather, he was actively caring for the prisoners. It was he who noticed that these two particular prisoners were downcast and inquired further. While the chief cupbearer did forget him, Joseph (spoiler alert!) eventually came to mind as someone who correctly interpreted his dream, which eventually gets Joseph out of prison. Joseph being faithful, even as a prisoner, doing whatever he could for those around him, caused a good outcome for him, even though it did take time.
I long to be all about God’s Kingdom, always considering what He is wanting me to do. I so easily focus on the difficult or unpleasant things, rather than, “God, what would you have me do? How can I represent you? What attitude befits me as your daughter?”
Prayer: Lord, may You help me not to turn inward in bad or good times but be faithful to care for those around me. Amen.
