Joseph was in prison for over two years, probably three or even longer depending on how old he was when sent there. v1 tells us it was sometime later that the butler, and the baker were cast into prison, and 41v1 that it was a further two full years after the butler’s release that he remembered Joseph.
A long sentence for a crime he never committed. We have heard of people being sent to prison for something they didn’t do, the difference here was that Joseph apparently utters no complaints and lodges no appeals to prove his innocence. No Rough Justice programme takes on his case. In the pit he cried out – in the prison he is silent. He takes what is handed out to him knowing that in God’s eyes he is innocent and obviously now having learned that it is God’s will that he is where he is.
Do we take things like that – what appears to be injustice, unfair and utterly abominable treatment from the hands of men? If we are at peace with God in knowing that we have rest in Him and trust Him for the future, whatever He asks us to go through the outcome is God’s responsibility. Ps. 37v3-7 “Trust in The LORD and do good… delight yourself in the LORD…. Commit your way to The LORD…. He will make your righteousness shine as the noonday sun. Be still before The LORD, wait patiently for Him. Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. “
For many Christians this is too much to ask, yes, even not the Will of God. I’ve heard some say that it is not God’s will for a Christian to be ill or it is sin that causes illness, or lack of faith. Not so! How they explain away people like Joni Eareckson Tada and many thousands down the years, I don’t know! How they even explain the death of a Christian – is beyond me! When Paul says “To die is gain” is he real?
Potiphar’s wife really shows her true colours. No remorse, no mercy in perhaps recommending Joseph’s release. Despite all that happened to him he never compromised his position and as a consequence he never lost spiritual power or weakened his witness for God.
The butler and the baker had offended Pharaoh so as a result they were put into the prison, the same prison as Joseph. Still, there’s no hint of anger or bitterness on his part as he is assigned to these two notable prisoners.
God does indeed move in mysterious ways – These men, like Potiphar, held important positions within Pharaoh’s hierarchy. The butler, one of the highest nobles, would be overseer of the royal vineyards and cellars. The baker responsible for all the food provided for the royal table.
Note Potiphar himself had a say, rather than leaving it to the Keeper of the prison who was kindly disposed towards Joseph. It is suggested that Potiphar by now was convinced of Joseph’s innocence, but to prevent exposure of his family, he deemed it prudent to detain him in prison and then when these two high ranking officials were imprisoned, Potiphar appoints Joseph to attend to them.
God never makes a mistake – easy to say and easy to listen to – but when it means difficulties and problems – hard to take?
Once more Joseph is in the ‘right place’. ‘The dreamer’ of chapter 37 a title used sarcastically and as a term of hatred by his brothers (37v19) can be translated ‘master of dreams’, yes, the dreamer is right on the spot in chapter 40
He cared for these high-ranking officers (v6) and one day he noticed that they were sad and dejected, so he asked them what was wrong. (v7) The Butler (cupbearer) and later the Baker had had dreams and Joseph believed interpretations belonged to God and he was empowered to relay the message. The very man for the job is right there. God has his men and women for the job. it is for us to accept the will of God and, as we read of Gideon in Judges 7v21 with his faithful 300 men whom God had whittled down from 30K “Every man stood in his place….”
Joseph was prepared to wait God’s time and evidently God’s time was not yet. He would not be human if he didn’t feel disappointed, but he plainly remains faithful and when he is remembered he is humble as ever giving the glory to God. (41v16)
Joseph must have hoped that the butler would put in a good word for him, but he was to learn again that he couldn’t trust men, rather he must depend upon his absolutely dependable God.
I like the late Derick Bingham’s comments (More than just a dream) — “You don’t need to build up ‘contacts’, you don’t need people in high places to further your future, you have the highest friend in the universe, you have nothing to fear, you are accepted in Him. Here was someone who did not wait for some great occasion but who made every occasion great.”
We move on two years languishing, yet no doubt, serving, in prison. Two (full) whole years passed before Pharaoh had the troubling dream whereby seven fat cows were eaten by seven scrawny cows and seven big ears of corn were swallowed by seven thin ears of corn. No one could help him interpret this dream. Two ‘full’ years is an interesting phrase. Full of what; full for whom? Had they seemed long, full, weary years or had Joseph made the most of them.
Lesson: How do we ‘fill our days? Do we live life to the full?
