Two years have passed since the cupbearer’s release from prison.

Two years can seem like a very long time.

 

Two years, and the cupbearer has not remembered Joseph, yet the day has come that God will remind the cupbearer about the Hebrew youth who was able to interpret his dream.

 

Now the one who dreams is Pharaoh himself. The sovereignty of God is seen through this dream, as God speaks to the heart and mind of a man who does not honor Him as God. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

 

Pharaoh’s dreams greatly disturb him. He calls all his magicians and wise men before him and shares the two dreams with them, yet they cannot interpret. They stand clueless. The cupbearer then comes before Pharaoh, for it is time for him to remember Joseph.

 

Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and his first words are to give all glory and credit to God: “It is not in me; God will give” (Genesis 41:16). We see another picture of Jesus Christ as He said, “For I did not speak on my own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). Jesus was God, yet in the flesh here on this earth He laid aside His glory and humbled Himself and did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6).

 

Joseph was not taking credit for what he knew was the sole act of God. How much better off we would be if we would give only God the glory for our talents, gifts, and abilities. Joseph did not struggle with pride. I am sure his years in slavery and prison helped him with that.

 

God has intricately designed each of us. He has given us talents and personalities and strengths, and when we receive salvation, spiritual gifts. How easy it is to forget that these are only ours at the good pleasure of God. How easy it is to pat ourselves on the back or accept the accolades of man as they tell us how great we are.

 

May we remember, as Joseph remembered, that “all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). If we boast in anything, we are to boast in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:5) and in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14).

 

 

 

 

There is nowhere that we are hidden from God. There is not a prison on this earth deep or dark enough to separate us from our Creator God. There is no chain strong enough, no enemy wise enough to keep us held back from what God has purposed to do through us.

 

Our Father in heaven will complete what He has started in us, and His will shall certainly be accomplished.

 

Here in prison, Joseph meets the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh. Joseph notices the sadness and dejection in their countenances and goes to minister to them. He asks them why they are so sad, and they share with Joseph about the dreams that have burdened their minds. Joseph knows that interpretations belong to God, and he asks the two to share with him their dreams.

 

It appears that immediately God gives Joseph the interpretations of the dreams. Joseph has to deliver very bad news to the chief baker and very good news to the chief cupbearer. To the cupbearer Joseph requested that he would please remember him before Pharaoh and share his story, that he might be released.

 

Both interpretations come to fruition just as Joseph spoke them, yet the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.

 

Joseph is forgotten by man again, yet still faithful to God. I am sure he heard in his heart, “Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold I have inscribed you on the palm of My hands” (Isaiah 49:15–16). Joseph held fast to his God. He held fast in the face of circumstances that looked as though God had forsaken him, yet God had not.