Most of my blogs are more topical than commentary, but I thought I’d mix it up a bit and share some insights and encouragement from Genesis 40, which recounts Joseph’s time with the cupbearer and the baker. To make the structure somewhat easy to follow, I’ll put the text in red, and then put its respective commentary directly below it. Let’s jump in:
v. 1: Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt.
The verse starts off with the phrase, “Some time later…”. That might be a small phrase, but it is packed with monumental meaning. Just think about Joseph’s toil, suffering, circumstances—nothing had changed. His sorrows remained the same. And in the story of Joseph, his monotony did not change until the timing was right and best. And so, the story goes, “Some time later…” who knows how long it was, how many days, weeks, months, or years… but some time later, after a while, Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker committed foul and were tossed into the jail with Joseph. This would be the start of some light poking through the darkness.
Likewise, in our seasons of waiting, we must remember that there are other factors going on (that we are unaware of) that we must wait for as well. We don’t know how the timing of all factors will play out, and what factors are currently involved and at stake. But we must wait, as Joseph did, until God’s timing is right and best.
v. 2-4: 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. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.
When the cupbearer and the baker are thrown into jail, they don’t get thrown into any random jail… no, they are jailed with the captain of the guard. Sound like a familiar name? They weren’t thrown into any situation; they were thrown into a specific, particular situation–Joseph’s situation–and one where he had leverage. What happens? “The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.” It is no mistake that God was working in Joseph’s life to connect him to the right people–even in a dungeon.
The cupbearer and baker weren’t significant because of their vocation, but rather, because of their vocation’s intimate connection to Pharaoh. The cupbearer and the baker were two people who’d see Pharaoh multiple times in a single day, (attending to his every need, testing his every drink, preparing his every snack). Who in all the land of Egypt would have a privilege and connection to power like that? Not many. The cupbearer and baker were two of the few who were in a position close enough to Pharaoh to hear what was going on in Pharaoh’s personal life—not just his political life. Not many people had this kind of access. Even Pharaoh’s closest people—such as his dearest children or trusted officials—would be off at school or busy at work. But the cupbearer and baker were in a position to hear about all the drama happening in the palace. They were present not in Pharaoh’s official meetings, but in Pharaoh’s down time—when he ate and drank and leisured. They had incredible access to his personal life. They’d be the ones to hear Pharaoh gripe about all his issues, problems, and… dreams. And here, we find God connecting Joseph to these two significant individuals, ultimately, as a way of connecting Joseph to Pharaoh, and thus, fulfilling Joseph’s calling.
v. 4-5: After they had been in custody for some time, 5 each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.
Once again, we see a rather familiar phrase… “After they had been in custody for some time…” Who knows how long this could have been. It could have been weeks, months, or years. But after some time—perhaps once the repertoire of Joseph was established, or once the character of Joseph was refined, or once the needs of Pharaoh were more dire—then the cupbearer and baker had dreams on the same night.
In other words, God does not do anything until the timing is right and best.
Personally, whenever I read these kinds of verses, I immediately become frustrated. I ask the question, “God, why couldn’t the whole process have been sped up? What are you waiting on? Say, Joseph goes to jail. Why not the next day, the cupbearer and baker get thrown into the jail with Joseph; and then the day after that, they have dreams; and then the day after that, Joseph gets called out to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Same end result, and it took way less time to get there. God, why all the waiting? Why all of the ‘after some time later…’ situations? What is the point? Just to draw it out of Joseph?”
I think the answer has to be because God must work in us powerfully before moving through us powerfully. And He prepares us personally for what he has prepared for us purposefully.
Also, when I want something to happen in less time and with the same end result, I am being a pragmatist—but only seeing my immediate circumstances in view. God, however, is the ultimate pragmatist in the truest sense—seeing every single factor in view. God knows exactly what He is doing, and His timing is right and best.
v. 8-13, 16-18 (amended): 8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” 9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream… 12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him... 16 When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream… 18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said…
Verse 8 is interesting, because out of nowhere, we are told that Joseph has the ability to interpret dreams. We have no citing of this ability until now. Was this a latent spiritual gift? He was once a dreamer; now he is a dream-interpreter.
Perhaps his ability to interpret dreams came out of the time of his communing with God. The closer he became to God in his time of suffering, the more in tune he became with God and the more able he became to wield the power of God.
It’s fascinating because Joseph doesn’t say, “Oh, you have a dream? I can interpret dreams!” Rather, he says, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” There’s really only two ways you can take this response: 1) Joseph is implying that he is God, or 2) Joseph communes with God so intimately—is so connected to the heart and mind of God—that He knows God will give him the interpretation. Surely, it’s not the first option, so it has to be the second option.
Practically, if this is true of Joseph, then why couldn’t it also be true of us as well? If we are communing intimately with God, then why wouldn’t we be able to express God’s heart and mind to others?
Growing from a dreamer to a dream-interpreter shows a significant character development in the life of Joseph as well.
v. 14-15: 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Joseph was in a constant state of suffering. He did not like it, either. In his suffering, he did not develop a stoic sense of not feeling the pain. He felt it every day, and he longed for it to be removed. He didn’t want to be in the prison. He wanted out of it! And there’s nothing wrong with that! As Joseph said to the cupbearer, “remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Joseph had done nothing to deserve this kind of pain and disappointment. In fact, he had done the right thing time and time again. Practically, it’s totally acceptable to not like the situation you are in; however, you must keep trusting God that his timing is right and best.
v. 20: Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials…
In this verse, we finally get a glimpse of how God’s timing is right and best. What is it? The clue is at the beginning of the verse: “Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday…” In other words, what made Pharaoh’s needs dire enough so that he would have to call in for extra, experienced support in the palace? His birthday festivities, of course! In order to ensure that his birthday patry would run as smoothly as possible, he needed more experienced workers! When thinking of extra support, Pharaoh was probably reminded of the fact that he does have extra, experienced support: the cupbearer and baker who are currently in prison. Because of this situation, he’s reminded that he should probably do something with them. And the memory sparks his preferences of each: that he liked the cupbearer, but not the baker.
The story line of Joseph’s monotony and suffering finally had a breaking point. The timing was finally right. The cupbearer and baker were finally summoned back to Pharaoh. And finally, a chance opened up for Joseph to get out.
v. 21-23: …but the chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
The chapter ends on an unresolved, minor note once more. After the cupbearer was restored, he did not do as Joseph asked. What is happening here? If God was aiming to create a connection between Pharaoh and Joseph, then why would God allow the cupbearer to forget Joseph? That would be counter intuitive! But this is because the timing was not yet right. How so?
See, if the cupbearer had remembered Joseph right after he was restored to his position, then Pharaoh wouldn’t have come to know Joseph in the way he needed to know Joseph, and therefore, wouldn’t have ever promoted Joseph to the place God wanted Joseph to be. If the cupbearer had immediately told Pharaoh about a strange, seemingly innocent man who could interpret dreams right after he was restored, Pharaoh wouldn’t have cared because it wasn’t relevant or important to him at the time. Why release a ‘seemingly innocent man’ or why give this no-name man the time of day as a King? Surely, Pharaoh had better things to occupy himself with. And even more, why ever give this strange man a position of command in the kingdom? That would be absolutely ludicrous!
Ultimately, if the cupbearer had remembered Joseph and tried to make a case for Joseph right after he was restored, then the whole thing would have fallen flat. The cupbearer needed to forget in order for Joseph to be positioned rightly. The cupbearer needed to remember Joseph only until Joseph would be a valuable, relevant, and important person to Pharaoh. Right now, Joseph was just a strange prisoner to Pharaoh. Only until Pharaoh had dreams would Joseph be a valuable, indispensable resource to Pharaoh.
Simply put, the timing was not right for Joseph to be released soon after the cupbearer was released. Yes, Joseph wanted out of prison now. But if Joseph had been released out of prison then, he would have missed everything God was trying to accomplish. Being released would have immediately resolved the pain, but it would have effectively dissolved his calling.
That’s why God made the cupbearer forget. Just think about: how do you—as a cupbearer—forget the person who correctly interpreted your dream and profoundly predicted your future? How is it even possible to forget someone like that? It would only be possible, say, if the Men in Black showed up and blasted him with their memory-forgetter-laser-beam (you know what I’m referring to, right?). Or, it would only be possible if God made the cupbearer forget because the timing was not yet right. God was still setting the stage to fulfill his purpose for Joseph. It was unconventional. But it was effective.
What About You?
Where do you currently find yourself in life, and what are you going through right now? The theme of this chapter is immeasurably clear: God’s timing is right and best. Immediate circumstances might suggest that God’s timing is counter intuitive, undesirable, and painful; but ultimate providence would declare that God’s timing is right, best, and perfect. The Bible pleads with us to believe that that is true, even if your current circumstances suggest that everything possible is turned against you. And while Joseph couldn’t possibly speculate as to what God was accomplishing, he trusted God’s promise to see him through. The same, of course, is true for us.
The heart of God is beating for you at all times, and the hand of God is working for you in all things.
But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
rescue me
(Psalm 31: 14-15)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understand.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
