His Word Today

⁹ “Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. ¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, ¹¹ we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. ¹² A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. ¹³ And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.” (Genesis 41:9–13 (ESV)

Following the events contained in Genesis 40:5-23, Joseph continued to languish in prison for two whole years. The chief cupbearer, following his own imprisonment and release, returned to serve in Pharaoh’s palace during the same period of time. However, he forget about Joseph (Gen. 40:9-15, 23).

It was after these two whole years that Pharaoh had his two dreams (Gen. 41:1-7). The king found no one, among his magicians and wise men, who could interpret his dreams (Gen. 41:8). Pharaoh was troubled by his dreams (Gen. 41:8). Imagine how he must have felt when none of his advisors could provide him an interpretation. Imagine how they must have felt?

It was at this providential moment that the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph (Gen.41:9-11). Dr. John MacArthur explains, “With memory suitably prompted, the butler apologized for his neglect (“my offenses”), and apprised Pharaoh of the Hebrew prisoner and his accurate interpretation of dreams two years earlier (vv. 10–13).

The cupbearer told Pharaoh of a young Hebrew prisoner who was the servant of the captain of the guard. It was this young man, the chief cupbearer recalled, who was able to provide both the chief cupbearer and the chief baker an interpretation to their own particular dream.

The chief cupbearer then provided a most significant statement. What the young Hebrew interpreted would occur, from the content of the two dreams, actually came about (Gen.41:13). In other words, the chief cupbearer was saying that Joseph was the real deal. He could provide an accurate interpretation which Pharaoh sought from his own two dreams.

Remember, there are no coincidences in life and God is always in control. This is true even when our circumstances seem, on the surface, to be absent of God’s providential control. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, ² and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. ³ And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. ⁴ And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. ⁶ And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. ⁷ And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. ⁸ So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:1–8 (ESV)

The two dreams of Joseph (Gen. 37:5-11), the two dreams by the chief cupbearer and the chief baker (Gen. 40:1-5), now yield to the two dreams of Pharaoh (Gen. 41:1-8). There are three sets of two dreams in the Joseph narrative. This gives us a total of six dreams. Joseph recognized the significance of the pattern of two dreams. He explained to Pharaoh that God had given him two dreams to confirm the truth of their overall message. In other words, God would surely fulfill the dreams (Gen. 41:32).

The images in Pharaoh’s dreams are striking. First, seven attractive and plump cows arise from the Nile River. The seven are subsequently eaten by seven ugly and thin cows also rising from the Nile. Second, seven plump and good ears of grain grow on one stalk. They are swallowed up by seven thin ears blighted by the east wind.

Pharaoh became troubled in his spirit because of the dreams. Therefore, he summoned all of his magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them the dreams, but no one in Egypt could interpret them to the king.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The apostle Paul tells us that we are God’s workmanship created for good works (Eph. 2:10). The Greek word for “workmanship” is literally “poetry.” The idea is that our lives express form and pattern along with beauty. Like the underside of grandmother’s cross-stitch, the everyday of our lives may look to be knotted and hopelessly tangled. But when we turn the fabric over, we see design and beauty that was there all along but that we never foresaw. Joseph’s life is like that. Through all the reversals, betrayals, and slanders he suffered, God was poetically designing his life so that he would be able to accomplish many good works, including saving his own family and then the entire world from the famine that was to come (Gen. 45:5, 50:20).”

Providentially, the LORD involved Joseph in all three sets of dreams. The dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker would lead to Joseph’s involvement in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. This would eventually lead to the fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams.

Dr. Sproul concludes, “It is instructive to note that when Joseph in jail heard the dreams of the pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, he readily offered to interpret their dreams. Joseph had already had two dreams foretelling that his brothers would bow down to him. After the years that had passed since he had been sold into bondage, if ever there was an occasion to doubt the prophecy of Joseph’s dreams, Joseph in the dungeon had reason to disbelieve. But God had spoken to his grandfather Abraham and to his father Jacob through dreams (Gen. 15:12–21, 28:10–15). It is therefore clear that Joseph offered to interpret the dreams of the pharaoh’s ministers because he still believed in prophetic dreams! In spite of all the adversity that had befallen him, Joseph fully expected to see his brothers again someday as they would bow before him!”

Joseph used his God-given ability to interpret dreams while in prison. This ability from the LORD would be the key for him to eventually leave the Egyptian prison for the Egyptian palace and witness his own dreams fulfilled.

More to come. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!     

“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, ² and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. ³ And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. ⁴ And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. ⁶ And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. ⁷ And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. ⁸ So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:1–8 (ESV)

Our focus is often centered from today’s text upon Pharaoh and his dreams. While his dreams are important and should be given their proper emphasis, the student of Scripture should not overlook the first four words of Genesis 41:1: “After two whole years.”

Moses’ stressed the fact that exactly 24 months had passed since the events recorded in Genesis 40. Nothing had changed for Joseph during these two years. He continued to serve the LORD while languishing in prison for a crime he did not commit (Gen. 39:19-23). While many others might become bitter, Joseph continued be faithful while serving and waiting upon the LORD.

Puritan Matthew Henry writes, “The delay of Joseph’s enlargement. It was not till the end of two full years (v. 1); so long he waited after he had entrusted the chief butler with his case and began to have some prospect of relief. We have need of patience, not only bearing, but waiting, patience. Joseph lay in prison until the time that his word came, There is a time set for the deliverance of God’s people; that time will come, though it seem to tarry; and, when it comes, it will appear to have been the best time, and therefore we ought to wait for it (Hab. 2:3), and not think two full years too long to continue waiting.”

Psalm 105:19 (ESV) says, “Until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” The person in question here is Joseph. The psalmist indicates that LORD tested him. The word tested (se’rapat) means to refine and to see the true nature and moral purity of an object. Joseph was experiencing God’s refining fire (Psalm 66:10-12; Isaiah 48:10; I Peter 1:6-7; 5:10).

Pastor John Piper explains from Malachi 2:17-3:6, “He (the LORD) is a refiner’s fire, and that makes all the difference. A refiner’s fire does not destroy indiscriminately like a forest fire. A refiner’s fire does not consume completely like the fire of an incinerator. A refiner’s fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. He is like a refiner’s fire.

It does say FIRE. And therefore purity and holiness will always be a dreadful thing. There will always be a proper “fear and trembling” in the process of becoming pure. We learn it from the time we are little children: never play with fire! And it’s a good lesson! Therefore, Christianity is never a play thing. And the passion for purity is never flippant. He is like fire and fire is serious. You don’t fool around with it.”

“But it does say, he is like a REFINER’S fire. And therefore this is not merely a word of warning, but a tremendous word of hope. The furnace of affliction in the family of God is always for refinement, never for destruction.”

Thank the LORD for His work of refinement in your life. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Three: Of the Civil Magistrate. Part 2.

3. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven:^a yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed.^b For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.^c

a. 2 Chron 2:8 • b. Isa 49:23 • c. 2 Chron 19:8

4. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,^a to honor their persons,^b to pay them tribute and other dues,^c to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake.^d Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him:^e from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted;^f much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretense whatsoever.^g

a. 1 Tim 2:1-2. • b. 1 Pet 2:17. • c. Rom 13:6-7. • d. Rom 13:5; Titus 1:3. • e. 1 Pet 2:13-14, 16. • f. 1 Kings 2:35; Acts 25:9-11; Rom 13:1; 2 Pet 2:1, 10-11; Jude 1:8-11. • g. 2 Thes 2:4; Rev 13:15-17.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day weekend in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Three: Of the Civil Magistrate. Part 1.

1. God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good, and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.^a

a. Rom 13:1-4; 1 Pet 2:13-14.

2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto;^a in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth,^b so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasion.^c

a. Prov 8:15-16; Rom 13:1-2, 4. • b. 2 Sam 23:3; Psa 2:10-12; 82:3-4; 1 Tim 2:2; 1 Pet 2:13. • c. Mat 8:9-10; Luke 3:14; Acts 10:1-2; Rom 13:4; Rev 17:14, 16.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁶ When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, ¹⁷ and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” ¹⁸ And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. ¹⁹ In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”

²⁰ On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. ²¹ He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. ²² But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. ²³ Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:16–23 (ESV)

Joseph’s interpretation of the chief cupbearer’s dream was favorable. The chief baker assumed that he also would receive a favorable interpretation from Joseph regarding his dream. Such was not the case.

Joseph informed the chief baker that in three days Pharaoh would have him executed. He would be hung on a tree and the birds would eat his flesh.

Both of Joseph’s interpretations were fulfilled. On Pharaoh’s birthday, he restored the chief cupbearer to his positon. However, Pharaoh had the chief baked hung until he died.

When Joseph interpreted the chief cupbearer’s dream, he specifically asked him to remember him when Pharaoh restored him to his position (Gen. 40:14-15). This was the only thing Joseph requested. It would be a simple act of kindness. However, the text informs us the the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph. Rather, he forgot him.

Have you ever been forgotten? Has a promise ever been made to you and never fulfilled because the person who made the promise forgot? Those incidents of forgetfulness are never truly forgotten by the individual who was forgotten. The pain of an overlooked promise remains deeply ingrained in one’s soul and never really leaves.    

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “So often we join with David and cry “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Ps. 13:1) because of the seemingly endless wait that defines the Christian life. We know that our present troubles are nothing in comparison with the “eternal weight of glory” guaranteed for God’s people (2 Cor. 4:17), but in the midst of our pain it can seem like this glory will never come. Encouraged on by the saints, we know we must run the race of faith set before us (Heb. 12:1–2), but the finish line can seem invisible when trials spring up as hurdles.”

“In theory it is easy to understand the premise that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), but to get this into our bloodstreams is another matter. It is one of the most difficult tasks of the practicing Christian. It involves not only believing in God but believing God.”

Do you believe in God? I hope that you do by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. However, do you believe God? Do you take Him at His Word? Do you believe what He says? Genesis 41:1 informs that it would be another two years before the chief cupbearer would remember Joseph. Yet Joseph never lost faith in God (Gen. 50:20).

Dr. Sproul concludes by saying, “God will never forget His people. Even when we do not see His helping hand, the Lord remembers us in our trials and afflictions. The assurance Moses gives us that God was with Joseph (Gen. 39:21) is for all those who trust Jesus. Do not despair, no matter what is happening to you, for the sovereign Lord of all can by no means ever forget you (Heb. 13:5).”  

Soli deo Gloria!

⁹ “So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, ¹⁰ and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. ¹¹ Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” ¹² Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. ¹³ In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ 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 40:9–15 (ESV)

Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker look to Joseph to give them the proper interpretation of their respective dreams. Today’s passage gives us the Lord’s interpretation regarding the cupbearer’s dream.

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “Joseph interpreted the dreams of the two servants of Pharaoh. The chief cupbearer’s dream had a favorable interpretation. His dream reflected his profession, but with accelerated activity. The dream of the three vine branches of ripening grapes signified that Pharaoh would lift up the head of this man, that is, restore him to service within three days.”

Following the interpretation, Joseph pleaded with the chief cupbearer. He asked that the cupbearer would remember him and his kindnessin interpreting the dream. Joseph was confident that he had given the right interpretation.

Joseph wanted his freedom from prison. He gave the cupbearer two reasons. First, he was unlawfully stolen from his home. Second, he had done nothing wrong that he should be in the pit. Pit is another word for dungeon or prison. Joseph does not appear to be bitter but willing to forgive; not only his brothers but also Potiphar’s wife.

One commentator writes, “Joseph’s plea to the cupbearer shows he is no fatalist. He does not simply sit around waiting for one of the guards to come set him free. Joseph understands God’s providence well, and he knows that the Lord’s sovereignty, properly understood, encourages us to seize opportunities for the kingdom (Est. 4:1–5:3; Matt. 25:14–30; Acts 27:13–44).”

Consider this principle from the journey of Joseph: God’s providence does not mean that our actions are pointless. Believers in Christ are responsible to act for the sake of the kingdom of God and for the Lord’s glory.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ “And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. ⁶ When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. ⁷ So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” ⁸ They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Genesis 40:5–8 (ESV)

The story of Joseph’s journey involved a series of personal dreams (Gen. 37:5-11). It is ironic that while he languished in an Egyptian prison for some time, another series of dreams would occur. These dreams did not belong to Joseph, but rather to Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker (Gen.40:1-4). They both were bound and fettered like Joseph (Gen.39:20; 40:3-5). They too had dreams like Joseph.  

Today’s text says that both of Pharaoh’s servants had a dream on the same night. The text continues to say that each man dreamt his own dream. Additionally, each dream had its own interpretation or meaning.

When Joseph approached them the next morning to attend to their needs (Gen. 40:4), he noticed that they both were troubled. Why, he did not know. The word troubled means to be dejected and discouraged. Their faces reflected their anguish.

. ⁶ When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. ⁷ So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” The word downcast means to be sad or depressed.

” ⁸ They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” They were not only depressed by their dreams, but also because there was no one they knew who could interpret their dreams.

“And Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me’.”

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “Joseph noticed their sadness and agreed to interpret their dreams. He understood their dreams to be from God and realized that God was beginning to work His will through two more dreams.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul states, “In prison, these officials do not have access to professional interpreters, and so they are troubled with uncertainty (v. 6). Their attendant Joseph quickly notices their worry and learns what is behind their troubles (vv. 7–8a). His reply reveals the strength of his faith and his spiritual maturity. He has spent years waiting for his lot to improve, but Joseph still believes God is with him and will give him the meanings of the dreams. Thus, he confidently asks to hear them. Also, Joseph explicitly declares that the interpretation of dreams comes by the Lord’s inspiration (v. 8b). In his younger years, Joseph proudly paraded his interpretive abilities (37:5–11). Having been humbled in prison, Joseph now affirms his talent is a gift from on high.”

Even while suffering in prison, Joseph’s empathy for the cupbearer and baker prompted him to inquire about their depressed emotional state (40:6–7). The LORD expects such compassion of His people (Col. 3:12). Even Jesus came to empathize with us in our weaknesses (Heb. 2:18; 4:14–16). We must do so for others.  

Soli deo Gloria!     

“Some time after this…,” (Genesis 40:1a)

The first part of Joseph’s story involves a period of thirteen years (Gen.37:1; 41:46). Joseph spent a large portion of those years in either slavery or imprisonment in Egypt. These facts raise some questions in my mind.

I wonder what Joseph was thinking during this time? Did he doubt God? Did he ask God why He allowed his brothers to do what they did to him (Gen. 37:12-36)? Did he question why, after doing the right thing, Potiphar had him imprisoned (Gen.39:1-23). Did he consider why the LORD would permit all this to happen?

I also wonder what Joseph was feeling? Was he embittered towards his brothers? Was he angry at God for all that occurred? Did Joseph become angry at himself? After all, what did doing the right thing with Potiphar’s wife gain him? On the surface at least, it resulted in him receiving a lengthy prison sentence.

Finally, I wonder how Joseph’s thinking and emotions impacted his decisions. We are able to discern to some extent how Joseph thought and felt because of what he did. Joseph’s actions speak loud and clear of his commitment to, trust in, dependence upon and worship of the One, True God. Joseph consistently did what was right and consequently honored the LORD (Gen. 39:1-10; 19-23).

It is one thing to fervently serve the Lord when life is going well. These are times of enthusiasm and excitement. It is another thing entirely when God calls you to serve Him in the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

I Peter 1:3-9 says, “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”  

During the difficult times of life, it can be easy to question and doubt the Lord. It can also be easy to become embittered. Our anger towards life’s circumstances may result in our becoming angry at other people and ultimately angry at God. I have witnessed people in this so-called prison. It is not a pretty sight to behold. It can become a spiritual captivity just as binding as a physical imprisonment.

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “Joseph would not throw away God’s blessings for the pleasures of sin. Nor was he troubled because he suffered for his faithfulness. God would ultimately honor him as He had promised.”

God did not forsake Joseph in the midst of conflict, and He does not forsake His children today. This includes godly leaders who are currently in the midst of conflict. He has a purpose and a plan for each leader and uses conflict for a greater purpose than one’s immediate comfort and prosperity.

What was God’s purpose for Joseph’s life? At this particular time Joseph had no way of knowing that God would use prison to prepare him for even greater responsibilities. At this point in his life, all Joseph could do was trust God. God was all he had. God was all he needed.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“Sometime after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. ² And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, ³ and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. ⁴ The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.” (Genesis 40:1–4 (ESV)

Today’s text begins with the phrase ““Sometime after this.” Moses does not tell us how long Joseph was in prison prior to the events of Genesis 40. All we know for certain was that he was in prison and he was serving the Lord (Gen. 39:19-23).

Puritan John Bunyan spent twelve years imprisoned in Bedford County Gaol for his biblical preaching. In prison, Bunyan had a copy of the Bible and of John Foxe‘s Book of Martyrs, and writing materials. He also had at times the company of other preachers who had been imprisoned. It was in Bedford Gaol that Bunyan wrote Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. He alsobegan work on The Pilgrim’s Progress as well as several tracts. He was chosen as pastor of the Bedford Meeting, which was a gathering of prisoners for worship. The Pilgrim’s Progress was not published until some years after his release.

The point of comparison is that God uses His chosen people to serve Him where and when He chooses. Even if the field of ministry is within prison cell. This was certainly true with respect to the Apostle Paul (Acts 28:16-31).

Genesis 40:3 refers to Joseph being confined. The word confined (a-sur) means to be tied up and bound. It was not an easy time for the Patriarch.

Psalm 105:16-19, in reference to Joseph, says, “¹⁶ When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, ¹⁷ he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. ¹⁸ His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; ¹⁹ until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.”

It was during this indefinite period of time that Pharaoh became angry with two of his officers: the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. The text does not provide any reason for Pharaoh’s anger. The chief cupbearer was in charge of all aspects of the king’s beverages. This included not only quality control but also to ensure none of Pharaoh’s drinks were poisonous. The chief baker was in charge of all of the king’s meals. He also made sure Pharaoh’s food was not tampered.

Genesis 40:4 says, “The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.”

The chief cupbearer and chief baker may be fellow prisoners, but the captain of the guard appoints Joseph to attend, or serve, both of them. This would be the perspective of the lesser serving the greater.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Though time in prison could make anyone discouraged, Joseph does not waver from his consistent service. No matter the work he was given to do — overseer of the prison or attendant to the cupbearer and baker — Joseph continued to serve others and wait on the Lord. We should expect nothing less since patience has always been a distinguishing mark of God’s people (Gal. 5:22). Do you patiently wait for our Father to act or do you try to force His hand?”

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!