(1) Joseph experienced again the presence of the LORD even when he was in the prison. There was more,
39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
The LORD showed him kindness. (NET) Heb “and he extended to him loyal love.” God did not leave him alone no matter where he was.
(2) Repeated phrases: the cupbearer and the baker were imprisoned in the same facility where Joseph was confined v.3, 5, 7. Therefore, when Joseph knew from the dream that the cupbearer would be released in 3 days he asked him to remember him.
40:14 But remember me when it goes well for you, and show me kindness. Make mention of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison,
Who would beg someone who is in the prison as you did unless you knew for sure that he would be released. Joseph had faith that what God said or revealed in the dream would come true.
Reflection: Do we see God's kindness or loyal love to us in the pandemic? He did not leave us no matter where we are.
Do you trust God's words? Whatever He said would come true.
(3) However, the cupbearer restored to his original position he forgot Joseph v.23. Imagine how disappointed Joseph would be when he waited for the cupbearer to remember him, but not hearing anything from him for a long while (until chapter 41).
Joseph's lives had a lot of ups and downs: He was loved by his father, dumped in the pit by his brother, sold as slave to Potiphar, raised to be the lead of the household servants, thrown in the prison, found favor in the warren's sight. Now, he came to his lows again. (That was the last low that he experienced. From that point on his life only getting better).
Reflection: Our lives may be like Joseph and have a lot of ups and downs. God allows that to happen for His purpose (we will see at the end of Genesis). I believe He has the plan for us, too. There is no need to feel God was out of control or He has abandoned us when bad things happen to us.
Audrey
2026
1. Sovereignty of God
v.3 so he imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard in the same facility where Joseph was confined.
v.7 ...Pharaoh’s officials, who were with him in custody in his master’s house
"Pharaoh" was repeated 11 times in this chapter and "the king of Egypt" repeated 3 times in v.1 and 5
Joseph's heart of being released by the authority of Pharoah was very reasonable.
2. The ungrateful cupbearer
8 They told him, “We both had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them.” Joseph responded, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me.”
14 But remember me when it goes well for you, and show me kindness. Make mention of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison,
v22...just as Joseph had predicted. 23 But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph—he forgot him.
The pattern of Potiphar and the chief warden was like this: they both saw the blessings of the Lord in what Joseph did and then they gave the credit to Joseph and let him run their business. The cupbearer did not follow that pattern. He forgot Joseph.
Joseph's hope of being release was so close, but it vanished.
3. Joseph's request to be release was reasonable
15 for I really was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews and I have done nothing wrong here for which they should put me in a dungeon.”
v.1 ...the cupbearer to the king of Egypt and the royal baker offended their master, the king of Egypt
(NET) The Hebrew verb translated offended here is the same one translated “sin” in 39:9. Perhaps there is an intended contrast between these officials, who deserve to be imprisoned, and Joseph, who refused to sin against God, but was thrown into prison in spite of his innocence.
Summary and reflection: When Joseph had done nothing wrong to deserve imprisonment in a dungeon he saw a chance given by God to be released. He did what he could in his position, and everything looked so closed to be done. Yet, he met an ungrateful cupbearer and the hope vanished. How disappointing for him.
Of course Joseph did not know about that, but 2 years later, his situation would change. God did not forget him.
For me, I need to face my disappointment. Yet so close, but not working out. Perhaps some times we see God's hands in one thing, but still it did not work out. Do not lose my trust in God. He is the One who raises Joseph after 2 years even the cupbearer forgot him.
4. Questions
1) He served the 2 officials and helped them to interpret their dreams. He also requested the cupbearer to remember him and gave him a reason why.
2) He told them God can interpret their dream
3) ?
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