MARCH 9, 2025 – DREAMS IN PRISON

READ: Gen. 40:1–23: … Pharaoh… lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

The cupbearer and the baker, both important figures in Pharaoh’s palace, are thrown into prison, having been accused of attempting to poison Pharaoh. While awaiting trial, they are placed under Joseph’s care.

One day, Joseph finds them looking troubled. They have both had dreams that they cannot interpret. Joseph tells them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me” (v.8).

This likely wasn’t the first time Joseph spoke about God. The cupbearer shares his dream first: he saw three branches on a vine, which budded, blossomed, and produced grapes. He pressed the grapes into Pharaoh’s cup and handed it to him.

Joseph interprets the dream, saying, in three days, Pharaoh will restore you to your position. Joseph then pleads with the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh, as he is imprisoned unjustly.

Encouraged by this interpretation, the baker shares his dream: he saw three baskets of bread on his head, with the top basket filled with baked goods. Birds came and ate them. The outcome of the baker’s dream is grim.

Joseph explains: in three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head—not in restoration, but to hang you. Joseph does not shy away from delivering hard truths, just as he was honest when sharing his dreams with his brothers. This prophecy, too, comes from God and must not be altered.

The dreams are fulfilled precisely as Joseph interpreted. On Pharaoh’s birthday, the cupbearer is reinstated, and the baker is executed. Joseph and we can conclude that the interpretation belongs to God, which must have encouraged Joseph in his imprisonment. Yet, his trials are not over, as the cupbearer forgets him. Joseph must wait on God’s timing.

Can you empathize with Joseph’s struggles?                   

Sing: Ps. 105:6