(This is part of a series profiling the life of Joseph as conveyed in the book of Genesis. You can catch up on the rest of the series by clicking here. The following reflections cover Genesis 39:21-40:23)
The Favour Remains
Joseph is in a good place, but he does not know it. He’s in a good place for what it will lead to. It is not a good place, however, because this is supposed to be the end of everything. He is a foreigner, imprisoned under the false allegation of attempting to sexually molest the wife of his master. It might be one of the better prisons in the province, but it’s still a prison. His prospects do not look good from here.
This young man’s life appears to be over well before it was meant to flourish. Yet it is still a good place in terms of the favour he enjoys even with this place. Just as he enjoyed under Potiphar, he is left to oversee other prisoners. This young foreigner is still trusted to manage and here he manages others and ensures that all under his stewardship proceeds in a proper manner.
Serving Pharaoh’s Top Servants
The butler and the baker. These were pivotal positions in the palace of the Pharaoh. Few positions will get such intimate access to the ruler of Egypt as they serve his food and drink needs. Their imprisonment is a big deal which is why they’re imprisoned in the top prison. Their status also means that they’re not treated like regular prisoners. Who better to serve them and who better to be entrusted with their welfare than the head prisoner.
It’s worth reflecting on that for a moment. You’re a young person and your prospects are dim indeed. Why are you still operating in a way that draws attention and favour of the prison system? Why are you still being diligent in matters when you’ve been wronged and the dream of a great destiny is further away than it has ever felt? What are you looking to gain? What do you ope to achieve? There is nothing overtly obvious to suggest that Joseph was working to a strategy of escape or working towards something. All we have is his behaviour and the favour that follows him. can there be something to learn from this? Is there something about having a hope in you that directs your conduct and character even in the darkest of times?
Troubled Dreamers at the Right Place
There is a part in storytelling that appears convenient. Isn’t it convenient that the damsel in distress just so happens to have a knight in shining armour available to rescue her? Isn’t it convenient that the thief happens to conduct the theft in the same area and at the same time as the great detective is available to follow the clues and track down the thief and recover the goods? It appears all too convenient, but in a way – and particularly in this sense – God strategically locates people in the right place at just the right time to provide what was needed.
The baker and the butler have not just been arrested and imprisoned, but now they’re bothered by their dreams. Bothered enough by dreams that they want to get the understanding from. What’s going on with their dreams? The whole dream issue is still an issue today and people have developed constructs and complex outlines to decipher and determine the meaning of dreams as if they can have a significant impact on the lives of others.
Where we’re concerned with this story, it’s interesting to note that although Joseph has dreams of his own, to this point he has not revealed or made a practice of his capacity to interpret dreams. It’s fascinating how in this situation Joseph sees himself as a vehicle from God to these two to help them out in their times of distress.
It’s also fascinating to see how Joseph gives credit to God alone for this ability. Fascinating because this foreign young man speaks of his God to these key parts of the Egyptian royal household.
The Butler’s Dream: There’s Good News
We know the dreams have left a deep mark on the minds of both men. They’re not long and complex dreams, but there’s enough in them for Joseph to utilise the gift God has given him to serve for the occasion.
The butler’s dream is good news indeed. Three days from that time restoration is at hand. That’s great news. back to the position of prominence. Joseph in sharing this, though, is not slow to put in a good word for himself.
Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.
Genesis 40:14-15 (ESV)
It’s interesting how Joseph sees his situation. He is the innocent party and has been wronged twice. Get me out of here! Joseph does not belong there and he does not want to stay there. The interpretation of the dream he sees as a way out and it’s only fair that he does what he can to make the most of it. There is an opportunity for him to sow a word in the mind of someone through his good service in the hope that it might lead to restoration for him.
Consider that. Good news for others can be good news for you if you’re in the position to serve others. Remember not that Joseph was serving on the lookout for a way out. He’s looking to make the most of his situation.
The Baker’s Dream: There’s Bad News
Every time I read what happens next, I take a deeply sad sigh. Notice the set-up. The baker understandably thinks that if it’s good news for him, it must be good news for me.
What would you do in Joseph’s position? You know what the dream means. You have the interpretation. You know what’s going to happen to the baker. you know it. It is not good. What do you do? It’s understandable if that’s the time where you make excuses to suggest that maybe you’re not getting the interpretation clearly. Perhaps he needs to go and dream again, you could offer. Get a second opinion, you might opine. Take the easy way out to avoid this bad news. What do you have to gain by telling the bad news?
It says something about the character of Joseph that he still operates in integrity and dignity in serving this baker even though the news is of the worst kind. It’s also worth noting that Joseph’s act of integrity and dignity to tell the truth even when it’s not good is not just leaving an impression of the depressing kind to the baker. Your commitment to the truth in good times and bad whether it works well or not is not just for you or for those recipients of your commitment.
Dreams Come True
Consider this carefully. Joseph has stated clearly that it is God who gives the meaning of dreams. What Joseph is doing is being a conduit of God to give understanding to what they have dreamt and it so happens that what they have dreamt has certain consequences for what is to happen in the short term.
Think carefully about what Joseph is doing. He is essentially stating that God knows what is going to happen to the baker and the butler. They have dreamt it and God knows it. In essence, Joseph as a conduit of God has revealed what God knows. God communicates to these two men, but He’s also communicating to Joseph. The way that Joseph communicates it reveals confidence that that which has been interpreted will happen. It’s an affirmation of God’s favour on Joseph that he should be given these insights.
What does it do to Joseph’s connection to God when three days later the baker and the butler left the prison never to return? What does it do for these two men t also see that what they have been told works out just like they were told it would?
Of course, it wouldn’t do much for the baker who would not hang around long enough to reflect on his situation. We are told that the butler forgets Joseph, but it’s not forgotten forever and his restoration is still something he knows was in line with the fulfilment of the interpretation of that foreign young prisoner. God’s wonders are being established in a foreign land through the service of a diligent young man who is not too caught up with his position to ignore the opportunities as they arise.
Joseph, Jesus and Us – Same and Different
Just as Joseph endured testing and trying times and served in spite of this, so we have the teaching and example of Jesus. Jesus expresses an important teaching of how we treat and engage with our enemies and those who despitefully use us or plot against us. He not only teaches it but exemplifies it whether in his engagement with those who actively sought to kill him or even with those who did to the point of death on the cross where He asked His Father to forgive those who did not have a clue what they were doing. The power of His Spirit enabled those that followed Him to likewise serve and operate in spite of oppression and mistreatment. It’s a fascinating challenge to see how we can serve when in situations that are unfair, humiliating and challenging.
In serving others by doing good, Joseph gives due acknowledgement to God for being the one who interprets dreams. Jesus is very clear that this is to fulfil the will of His Father. He is on a mission for His Father and uses whatever He has to highlight the truth of the one who sent Him. Those that followed Jesus were also careful to refer people back to God doing the work through them. They did not seek the glory for themselves, they were eager to pass it on to God and an opportunity to highlight the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our challenge is to see if we can recognise what we have for our position to bless and serve others and express the light we have so others can see the good works and give glory to the Father in heaven.
Joseph was committed to telling the truth whether it was for good or bad. Jesus on the earth was not just about giving news that would be easy to digest and lovely and fluffy to take on board. Where necessary, He shared the truth in circumstances that led to people leaving him being sad, offended, angry or otherwise poorly receiving the truth he had to offer. That did not deter Him from His commitment to the truth. It was a hallmark that gave those that followed Him a similar boldness in conveying the truth whether it comforted the afflicted or afflicted the comfortable. There can be a tendency today to avoid aspects of the truth that others might be uncomfortable receiving. It would be a lot easier to just give people the truth of the matter that affirms them and makes them feel that much better for being who they are. That, however, is not what the commitment to the truth calls for. It’s a commitment to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – so help us, God.
When Joseph makes the most of his opportunities in a bad situation to express the wonder of God, he does something that will be a pattern for the godly throughout the lives of God’s people. Jesus on the cross still had enough time to offer an invitation to paradise for the one who was dying alongside Him who recognised Him. Paul and Silas when wrongly imprisoned were still able to use the opportunity to share the gospel with their prison officer which would lead to a whole household placing their faith and trust in Jesus.
This requires a mindset that is not moping in self-pity. This requires an approach that is not self-indulgent to neglect the opportunity to serve others where they are. This is what God’s Spirit offers us as we place our faith in Him and understand that He will still operate through us in whatever situation we find ourselves in as we remain available to Him.
Questions from Joseph: Serving the Restored and the Removed
- Why is the favour of God on Joseph’s life in prison such a point of significance?
- Serving others in troubling times – what does Joseph’s example teach us?
- What is the purpose of the dreams where Joseph is concerned?
- How can God help you to keep going in the light of disappointment?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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