May 5, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 40 (NIV)
The Cupbearer and the Baker
1 Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.……Continue Reading
It seems that Potiphar as captain of the guard must not have believed his wife’s accusations for Joseph to 1.still be alive and 2. to have such a place of importance even in the prison. Potiphar always recognized God in Joseph’s life.
I also love that Joseph was so in tune with his care for others he immediatley knew something troubled the cupbearer and the baker. When we are truly open to God, He will put people in our lives that need us and give us the wisdom we need to help as He did for Joseph interpreting these dreams.
Despite the fact that Joseph did this amazing thing and was spot on in his interpretations, unfortunately the cupbearer did not remember Joseph but fortunately we know God will!
“Wherefore look ye so sadly today?”
Joseph sensed the attitudes of others, demonstrating concern for men. Phillipians says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Romans, “Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love, in honour preferring one another.”
Joseph cared! -reb
Genesis 40
Genesis 40.
Dreams. Good news. Bad news.
God knows the interpretation.
”And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
I too wonder about Potiphar. He saw God working with Joseph, and in his own house because of him. His wife was not so faithful, as it was allegedly he who brought Joseph into the house to mock her! As captain of the guard, he set Joseph aside to keep the prison, which he did faithfully, yet a prisoner. “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee.” Sound counsel for today! -reb
Now Joseph is in the prison and has found favor with the keeper of the prison. Joseph showed that he was blessed by God and therefore was given the responsibility to care for the chief butler and the chief baker. They have both had dreams and Joseph sees that they are concerned about something. He interprets their dreams and they are fulfilled according to what he has said. Joseph gives credit to God for only He can interpret them. Just as the prophet Daniel has said about God in latter years. The only problem is that the butler forgets about Joseph and he is left in prison even longer. Or is it a problem? God knows and causes the butler to remember at just the right time so now Joseph can interpret Pharoah`s dreams as we see in the next chapter. God has His own plan and time when He will bring about what He desires. May we rest in His plan for us.
Genesis 40
Genesis 40
Once again the threads of God’s hand on Joseph is evident. These men are both put in the same prison as Joseph and he is then assigned to them. Then God gives them dreams that they have need to have interpreted. God loves to create problems that He can then solve to reveal His glory. He then gives the interpretation to Joseph that then comes to fruition. And although it is unfortunate that the cupbearer forgets Joseph, we can imagine it is not the right time for Joseph to be promoted. But the lesson that comes from the cupbearer is that we can be very attached and appreciative of people when we need them, but then dismiss them when we don’t. Jesus calls us to a better standard to treat people according to what is right and the value they have to God, and not the value they have to us.