Joseph--Part V, "Two Dreams and a Long Wait"

For weeks, even months, there had been no new prisoners admitted to Pharaoh’s special prison.  And though Joseph ran the place beautifully and run it he did as the Scripture attests:  “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s hand, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Genesis 39:21-23).  Still, things got a bit boring until one day two new prisoners were admitted.  Both were attendants to Pharaoh, his baker and his butler or cupbearer.

Because of the intrigue that would have continually beset pharaoh’s court, it just went with the territory, Pharaoh would have those who prepared things directly for him.  Perhaps the baker might have been likened unto a personal pastry chef, and the butler or cupbearer, squeezed juice from grapes directly into a cup and doubtless would have tasted it before giving it to pharaoh.  These two, for unmentioned reasons, angered Pharaoh.

Where they had been accustomed to serving, now Joseph served them.  After they had been in custody “for a while”, on the same night they both dreamed a dream and both were troubled.  Joseph saw this and in effect asked, “What’s wrong?”  Then they said, we’ve each had a dream and don’t have an interpretation for it.  After telling them interpretation of dreams belongs to God, Joseph said, “Tell them to me, please.” So the cupbearer shared his and Joseph gave the interpretation of it which was favorable, saying that after three days he would be restored to his former position.

Being encouraged by such a favorable interpretation to the cupbearer’s dream, the baker elected to share his dream.  The interpretation of this dream was not positive, saying that in three days he would be hanged.  After three days the baker was hanged and the cupbearer was restored to his position.

Before the cupbearer took leave of the prison, Joseph implored him “to make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house” (Genesis 40:14).

Now comes the long, dark night of the soul for Joseph.  Because “. . .the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23).  This is an assessment after the fact, Joseph simply had to “live his way through this”.  How well he did, we don’t know.  Did he question God’s goodness—possibly.  It’s just that at such times one’s soul, like a violin string, can be strung so tight as to be near the breaking point. But for those who would exercise an uncommon leadership, as Joseph is so destined, there must be a testing that yields positive results.  Joseph is destined to save two nations, rising from total obscurity to do this.  So in proportion to the light he is destined to walk in, to walk totally as God’s man, he must endure the darkness.

Though he had been forgotten, Joseph was willing to trust his case to God who never forgets.  With that he could rest. . .and wait.