By Kenny Bruce
Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis
Focal Passage: Genesis 39:21-23; 40:4-8, 20-23
Like Joseph, we need to press forward with our focus on God in spite of injustice.
I. Prosperity in prison (Genesis 39:21-23) While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden (v. 21). He rose from being just another prisoner to being one whom the warden entrusted everything.
Joseph was the victim of an injustice. Potiphar’s wife had falsely accused him of assaulting her and Potiphar had flung him into prison. In similar circumstances, most other men would probably have become bitter, withdrawn, and even angry toward God.
Joseph remained faithful to God, and God exalted him. Like Joseph, we should remain steadfast in our faith regardless of our circumstances. If we do, we will experience God’s presence and power. Joseph had his two dreams given by God to hold on to and give him hope. When we find ourselves in hopeless circumstances, especially because we are victims of injustice, we have God’s promises to give us hope.
II. Insight in prison (Ch. 40:4-8) The cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended him, so he put them in the same prison where Joseph was. They both had dreams and were distraught because there was no one in prison to interpret their dreams. In the ancient world there were officials in the royal courts whose jobs included interpreting dreams.
Joseph cared for them and was touched by their downcast feelings. After listening to them he replied, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” He was determined to point people to God. Because they sensed his sincerity and respected his integrity, they were willing to share their dreams with him.
As children of light, we are to point people to God in every circumstance. We are to demonstrate an understanding of their moods and feelings and allow the Holy Spirit to show us how to love them and meet their needs (Philippians 1:9-11).
III. Patience in prison (Ch. 40:20-23) Joseph interpreted their dreams. He told the cupbearer that Pharaoh would restore him to his former position and revealed to the chief baker that he would die. After three days, when the cupbearer was released from prison, Joseph told him, “Please do me a kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house” (Ch. 40:14).
Though the cupbearer forgot him (v. 23), Joseph refused to grow bitter and was patient, continuing to wait on God for the next two years.
Perhaps you are in a prison of circumstances. You may be going to your same job day after day and enduring some abuse or hearing the same people constantly complain and criticize. You may feel forgotten because you have been promised a promotion, yet you have watched co-workers promoted ahead of you.
Like Joseph, you may be forgotten by man, but you are not forgotten by God. Therefore, trust in God, not in man. Even if we lose heart, God remains faithful (II Timothy 2:13)! His faithfulness motivates us to wait on Him (Isaiah 40:30-31). B&R