Genesis 40:1-8, “Some time 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. (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.”
The chief cupbearer and chief baker are
thrown into prison by Pharaoh, and they are placed under the charge of Joseph
by the captain of the guard. Those events might just appear to be minor
historical detail. However, these details are more than just historical details
of no significance, for the scene is being set for God’s sovereign,
providential works and plans to be revealed. Joseph is given charge of these
men so that he might be able to interpret the dreams they are given by God. The
God-given gift of interpretation that is given to Joseph, will in time be
remembered by the chief cupbearer and be the very means that God uses to cause
Joseph to be exalted to a high position.
We so often skim through the historical
details, thinking they are of little importance, yet we believe that every word
in the Bible is God-breathed, every word is intentional and there for a
specific purpose and reason. There are no superfluous words, or words that can
be ignored. In the case of historical details, we find that their purpose is
not just to provide us with information, but also to prepare us for what is to
come. They serve to show us how God’s sovereign plan is being worked out; they
remind us of God’s faithfulness and that God does not forget His people.
Joseph is in prison, far away from his
family and there is little to no hope of deliverance for him, he will spend the
rest of his days in prison for a crime he did not commit. Yet this passage
serves to remind us that out of sight is not out of mind with God. God has not
forgotten Joseph; rather all these events in Joseph’s life are guided by God
and are a means of preparation for the future. God is preparing Joseph for a
great work, but one that will require Joseph to have a humble and godly
character, one that will require Joseph to be a man that is wholly dependent
upon God. He is becoming this man through all of these events in his life. God
in His sovereign plan places these two men in the same prison as Joseph,
setting all the things, events and peoples in place, so that at the right time
God will set Joseph free and exalt him. Joseph believed and hoped this would
come sooner rather than later, trusting that the chief cupbearer would quickly
remember Joseph and plead for Joseph’s release. Joseph had to wait some two
years for the chief cupbearer to finally remember, but this again is in the sovereign
will and purpose of God. Joseph is raised up at the right time and not a moment
sooner. Joseph must learn to trust not just in God’s will and sovereignty, but
also in God’s timing.
The very same applies to us, we must
learn to trust in God’s will, sovereignty and timing. We can do so with
confidence knowing that God will order our steps and our lives in accordance to
His will. He will in His wisdom work in and through our lives at precisely the
right time. We are called to be faithful and patient. We are to be faithful in
our following of God, seeking to walk in the way that He leads us, whilst
patiently trusting Him to work at the time of His choosing.
Sovereign
Lord we thank You that You know the beginning from the end, all our days are
laid out before You, planned and directed by You. You know exactly to the
finest detail what the future holds for us. We thank You, that You do not
merely sit back and allow life to just happen to us, but You direct our steps
and work in our lives. We pray that You might strengthen us by Your Spirit to
follow in humility and faith, whilst waiting upon You patiently, trusting You
for the future. Amen.
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