Joseph must feel like he is invisible at times. As a prisoner, he has been put in charge of the other prisoners. Today’s scene involves two of Pharoah’s employees or slaves. They both have dreams, and apparently, the other prisoners aren’t giving them any help in interpreting what they mean.
I loved what Joseph said, “Interpreting dreams is God’s business.” How many times have you woken up from a dream and wondered if there was any hidden meaning? I know I have. I have never sought the services of a dream interpreter, nor do I think I ever will. I like the words Joseph speaks–that God is in the business of interpreting our dreams. God obviously used Joseph to tell these men what their dreams meant.
Now the cupbearer was probably delighted to hear what his dream meant, while the baker was hoping Joseph was just full of baloney. In each case, the dreams did come true just as Joseph, as God’s messenger, had interpreted.
It seems a little hard to believe that the cupbearer would have forgotten Joseph. It had only been three days since he dreamed it. Wouldn’t you think that if you had been freed from prison with the details just as you had dreamed, you would have remembered the interpreter? And depending on how public the death of the baker was, that should also have been a trigger of remembrance for the poor Hebrew slave in the prison who had treated them so well.
The cupbearer must have gotten caught up in the joy of being free. He needed to focus on not upsetting Pharoah again. We are not told how long he had spent in prison as “quite some time” is rather vague. But to be free must have been exhilarating. He was ready for life to be back to normal. To remember anything about his time in prison was probably the furthest thing from his mind.
I’m not trying to condone the cupbearer’s forgetfulness, only understand it. How often that same thing happens to us. We have the best intentions of staying in touch with old friends, of following up with people who have helped us, etc. Yet, life gets in the way. We get busy. Our focus shifts.
I remember a time when my daughter and I were driving on the highway only to see tornadic activity in the distance and hear of warnings on the radio. For us to continue driving would have put us into harm’s way. What do you do? Pull over and hide in the ditch? That didn’t sound all that inviting. So I prayed. We pulled off the highway and found a farmhouse with the lights on. I got out of the car in the driving rain with wind gusts pushing against me and made it to the door. The family welcomed us and kept us safe while the storm blew over. The next time we traveled that way, I brought a pan of brownies to say thank you for their kindness. Did they expect me to do that? No, but I had said I would be thinking of a way to repay their hospitality. We made a memory to be sure.
When we are in God’s will and call upon him for safety and rescue, he shows up. As the months and years go by, Joseph is safe in the prison while he waits for his turn at freedom. Because he is given some freedom to be in charge, he is probably not in shackles rotting away in a cell. Yet, he is true to God.
When we find ourselves in a place that is not comfortable, we need to stay true to God. He is faithful, we must be as well.
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for keeping me and my daughter safe that stormy day. I pray that that family who gave us safety is blessed and doing well. As I go forward today, I pray you will open my eyes to the possibilities you have set before me. Help me not forget you or what you have done for me. May I never get too busy again that I don’t spend time with you. You have made me for a purpose–to love and worship you. You deserve my honor and praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
