Genesis 40
Pastor Mark Hudson
Genesis 40 narrates experiences most people can relate to; injustice, innocence, and no change in one’s circumstances even while you are doing good. How many people in the world can relate to Joseph’s feelings of hopelessness. In chapter 39, Joseph refuses to lie with Pharoah’s seductive wife. As Joseph is fleeing from her unwanted and demanding schemes, she grabs a piece of his garments and blames Joseph. Joseph ends up in prison. This prison is a far cry from where his earlier dream promised. He is stuck in prison, yet the end of chapter 39, there is a glimmer of hope: “. . .the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed”
If you compare chapter 39 with chapter 40 we find one person who is unjustly in Potiphar’s jail and two people waiting their sentence in jail. The baker has committed some offense while the cupbearer is shown to be innocent although he also had committed some offense. Joseph has always maintained his innocence and do so clearly in chapter 40.
Ironically, we find Pharoah’s cupbearer and baker in the same prison as Joseph. Joseph is accused by Potiphar called the captain of the guard in 40:3. These three are together awaiting their verdict. Remember, the cupbearer is not just someone who brings drinks to the Pharoah, but is often a close confidante. The baker is important but does not serve in as close proximity as the cupbearer. We are only told them had committed some offense against their lord, the king of Egypt. Joseph is appointed to attend them.
Looking forward to the next book, at the end of Exodus 2, God remembers the suffering Hebrews in Egypt so He raises up Moses. But after asking the cupbearer to remember him to Pharaoh, in verse 23, “Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” So here at the end of Genesis 40, Joseph must be feeling discouraged. This is his wilderness and this wilderness was not chosen and therefore not self-imposed. He had no preparation. Joseph has been apart from his family for years and has no real hope he will ever see them again. Yet, Joseph does the next thing and God is with him. Joseph serves in the jail “for some time” with nothing new happening. One night, though, both men had a dream.
They are not troubled by the dream as much as they are by the lack of interpretation. This story unfolds by a simple query, “Why are your faces downcast today?” Joseph responds wisely to their request for interpretation, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” Since the two prisoners had no other option or Joseph seemed trustworthy, they told him. We then know the rest of the story.
So what can we gather from this chapter. Judah’s sexual relations with Tamar is compared to Joseph’s fleeing from Potiphar’s wife. Joseph’s innocence is contrasted with the baker’s guilt. Joseph is contrasted with all the patriarchs who cannot interpret dreams. The best they experience, which is no small thing, is the dreams God gives them when they are asleep. But Joseph is telling others the future and what Joseph says actually comes true. This is a different kind of leader: wise, prophetic, honorable, and compassionate.
Joseph is a model of patience and endurance during suffering. He never lashes out at God. He treats others kindly, and he is a servant to those around him. He still serves but does so in the name of the Lord. He still trusts God but trusting God had to be a challenge with all the unjust suffering he endured. He had little or no believing community supporting him. Yet, Joseph reveals a strong character that others validate. The text does not indicate Joseph harbored any bitterness toward God and his brothers. In fact, by his actions, Joseph shows a compassionate heart.
Remember, all that Joseph suffered was due to injustice. For many people, that is a recipe for bitterness toward others and God. If you suffer due to injustice, your anger can boil. I think of the many people who have been mistreated, black American in the US during slavery or Jim Crow, those currently in the Darfur region, Christians in North Korea, China, or Saudi Arabia.
Dear heavenly Father, You are working out all things for Your glory in the almost 8 billion people living on planet earth. You know each one intimately, all their past, present, and future. There is not a single rogue molecule. All things do Your bidding. Even when the night is the longest, the winter night the coldest, even when we feel forsaken, You are there, guiding, loving, protecting, working out what is best for us and what brings most glory to You. Help us, when we face lose, cancer, financial hardship, or serious problems with our family members to deeply trust in You. Keep the cancer of bitterness, that drains the life out of us, far from our hearts. Oh, dear Father, how we love and trust You. You always do what is just, perfect, and right. Forgive us for every doubting You. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation and fill us to overflowing with Your Spirit. We pray this for the growth of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Amen.