The Life Of Joseph - From Prison To Prime Minister - Part 6
Fascinating Dreams! Genesis 40 verses 1-23
As we study the life of Joseph we will notice that chapter 40 of Genesis commences with the words “Some time later”, so we have to go back to the previous chapter to discover what had happened. Joseph, as a young 17 year old lad, had been sold into slavery by his brothers, who had pretended to their father that he had been killed by wild animals. God’s good hand had been upon him, however, and he had been bought by Captain Potiphar of the Egyptian army. Although Joseph served his master faithfully, Mrs. Potiphar had falsely accused him of attempted rape, and he had landed up in the state prison where the king’s prisoners were also kept. Because of his diligence, the prison warder had promoted him, and as our chapter opens Joseph is basically in charge of all of the prisoners. Two of the men under his command were the former Chief Butler and Chief Baker of the King of Egypt. They had both been imprisoned for upsetting their master and were doubtless fearful about their future. We will look at the story under the headings of Dreams, Dread and Drama.
Dreams. We need to understand that in those days dreams were thought to be a method used by God to convey His plan and purpose for the future to those who were prepared to receive it. Indeed, this often was the case. Earlier in our story we saw how God visited Joseph with two special dreams, and he shared them with his family in the belief that they indicated God’s will for their lives. Now, some years later, these two former court officials, each receive a special dream, but are very concerned because they have no power to interpret it.
In his dream, the Chief Butler was back in the palace gardens again, standing in front of a vine. There were three branches in the vine, with fine clusters of ripe grapes. Then he saw Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, and in the dream he pressed the grapes into the cup in order to produce the wine, before he placed the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.
The Chief Baker’s dream followed a somewhat similar pattern, for he was back in the palace bakery again, with three white baskets on his head. In the top basket there were all sorts of delicious baked cakes, but the birds came and took them out of the basket and ate them. We will see next that these dreams caused the two men a real measure of…
Dread. As Joseph entered the main prison-cell that morning he particularly noticed that the butler and baker looked sad, so he asked them the reason for their distress. There is a very important lesson for us in this little episode. Here was Joseph, placed in a position of responsibility, in charge of a number of prisoners, yet not only noticing the sad expressions on the faces of these two men, but also taking the time to inquire what was the trouble. There is a marvellous ministry of encouragement available to Christian men and women today if we are sensitive to the needs of others. As we study the life of the Lord Jesus we are constantly impressed with His care and concern for needy people. Whether it was lepers, those who were blind, paralysed or deformed, or people who were discouraged and downcast, Jesus always had time for them. There are some Christians known to me who never board a bus or a train without a prayer that the Lord would guide them to someone needing a word from Him. All sorts of opportunities have come their way as God has led them to hurting people, some clearly prepared for their ministry. Jesus told us that we are to be salt and light in a very needy world, which means being available for Him to use at all times.
To return to the story, the dark clouds of doubt and even dread were forming over the heads of the former Chief Butler and Chief Baker. Their dreams seemed to spell trouble, and their faces showed their deep concern. Were these dreams sinister? Would this mean execution? Or was there just a possibility that release from prison was coming their way? They just did not know, so were understandably fearful. There are many people today who are similarly fearful. Some await the result of tests from hospitals, others are experiencing family uncertainty, whilst for others the future is unsettled because of impending unemployment. Whatever the needs may be, our Christian witness and testimony can be just what the Lord is going to use to speak right into their situations. The question is whether or not we are going to be available for Him to use? Perhaps that very morning Joseph had asked the Lord to lead him to someone whom he could help. We do not know, but we do know that Joseph was concerned about these men, and he showed it. May we be quick to follow that good example.
Finally, after the Dreams and the Dread, there came the…
Drama. When Joseph heard the dreams he wasn’t quick to claim the ability to interpret them. No praise or glory must come his way. He was quite content to be God’s instrument for Him to use in His own way. Gladly he responded to these former court officials “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (verse 8). There is a very relevant word here for all of us who desire to be used by God. We must at all times be ready to acknowledge that He is the only one who can give a message to meet the needs of the people. He alone can unravel the mysteries of life. Like Joseph, we must always be content to give Him all the praise and all the glory, whenever He is pleased to use us in His service. As the butler’s dream was unfolded to Joseph, his eyes brightened, and he was able to give a real word of encouragement to the troubled man; “within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position” (verse 13). How good it is to be the bearer of such hopeful news. We, like Joseph, have good news to convey to a world which is very short of such news. We can tell them of a God who loves them, and sent His Son to die for them, so that they could be released from the prison of sin and selfishness. Let us not be slow to bear this news to others.
Sadly, that was not the end of the story, for when the baker heard the butler’s good news he immediately told Joseph the details of his dream. I am sure that Joseph’s face fell as the implications became clear to him. Death awaited the baker. There was to be no deliverance for him. His days were numbered. We might well ask how Joseph was going to handle this problem. Would he evade the issue? Or perhaps simply suggest that the news for the baker didn’t appear to be as good as it had been for the butler? No! Here was a man of great personal honour and integrity. Whatever the cost he would tell the truth. At least it would give the butler a warning of impending death and judgment. He could make sure that he was prepared to meet his God. So, no doubt with a heavy heart, Joseph broke the news to this second court official “within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree” (verse 19), This is a great challenge to me, personally, and I’m sure to you as well. Whilst we may be ready and willing to tell the people around us that there is a God who loves them, and is ready to save them, we may not be quite as willing to tell them that judgment awaits all who refuse God’s offer of salvation. The scripture is very clear “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 6 verse 23). We should be as ready to warn of the bad news, as we are to share the good news. Both are equally important parts of the Gospel message.
The drama was not quite finished, for three days’ after the dreams, Pharaoh had a birthday which he celebrated by throwing a great feast for all his officials. Then, in accordance with Joseph’s interpretations of the dreams, he reinstated the Chief Butler to his position of power and responsibility, so that “he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, but he hanged the Chief Baker, just as Joseph had said” (verses 21-22).
God’s clear forecast of the future will always hold good. When He tells us that judgment awaits the unrepentant sinner, He means exactly what He says. Ours is the task of warning men and women that there will be no escape for those who “neglect so great salvation” (Hebrews 2 verse 3). May we take these lessons to heart!