Joseph in Prison – The Test of Perseverance in Adversity

v.1-4 Unknown to Joseph, God was beginning to move to bring about Joseph’s release and ascendancy through the fall into disfavour of two important officials of  Pharaoh.  Because these men offended the king of Egypt in some way (v.1), they incurred his wrath (v.2), and “he put them in…the place where Joseph was bound” (v.3).  The “chief of the butlers” literally refers to the cupbearer of the king, who served either wine or beer to the Pharaoh and his guests.  The “chief of the bakers” also has an important role in the royal court because he is likely to be responsible for preparing food not only for the living Pharaoh, but also for his mortuary temple and priesthood.

It would be a mistake to think that Joseph was in a comfortable situation in prison just because he was in a responsible position under the jailer.  Joseph would naturally be freed from his fetters when he was to serve in the jail but there is evidence that he was bound (cf. v.3; Ps. 105:18-19).  Hence, even though he was in a most unfavourable and discouraging place, he continued to serve faithfully and thus receive fresh appointments to tasks – “And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them” (v.4).  God evidently moved Joseph from Potiphar’s house to the prison to cross his path with Pharoah’s important officers, and it was Joseph’s patient faith in God that produced his faithful service through which God could work.

v.5-8 The opportunity for Joseph came when the two new prisoners both had dreams in one night (v.5), and they simply looked sad the next day in the morning (v.6).  Upon Joseph’s inquiry after them (v.7), they revealed that they were dejected because there was no interpreter for the dreams they had (v.8).  Israel shared with its pagan neighbours a belief in the reality of dreams as a medium of divine communication but Israel never developed, as in Egypt and Mesopotamia, an entire class of professional interpreters or a dream litiger.  In the entire Bible, only two Israelites engage in the interpretation of dreams – Joseph and Daniel – and it is very important to note that both men are careful to disclaim any innate ability but they both attributed all to God (cf. v.8; 41:16; Dan. 2:28).

The fact that Joseph noticed that the two men “were sad” indicates that Joseph was not moping around in prison over his unfortunate and disagreeable plight.  He was making the best of a very difficult situation and he certainly was not so introspective that he had no consideration for others.  Not only did he have consideration but Joseph also had concern for those he served, even in prison!  He did not simply notice their sadness and walked away but he approached them to see if he could help them in any way.  Finally, the implication of his declaration – “Do not interpretations belong to God?” reveals that Joseph had not lost faith in God or that God will reveal the interpretation of their dream through him.

Joseph’ faith could not be undermined by circumstances, which was exactly what God was looking for in a leader.  Joseph, who had been stolen from his land and then wrongly imprisoned, had every reason to be pessimistic, complaining, and depressed.  In one of the worse fate of life for anyone, we only see a man of sound faith and good character here.  He was faithful in service; he went beyond the call of duty to care for others; and he continued to exercise a simple and powerful faith in God!  Joseph is thus revealed to us in the Bible as a man who will bloom wherever he is planted, and thus make a difference for the LORD in all stations of life.

v.9-13 The chief of the cupbearers had a dream that had a favourable interpretation.  The dream reflected his profession (v.9, “a vine was before me”).  The “three branches…[that] budded…and…brought forth ripe grapes” (v.10), which the butler “pressed into Pharaoh’s cup, and gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand” (v.11), signified that Pharaoh, after “three days” (v.12) would restore him to his position (v.13).

v.14-15 To this favourable interpretation Joseph added his personal request.  Joseph anticipated that things would go well with this man and thus he appealed to the faithfulness of the cupbearer to help him in making mention of him “unto Pharoah, and bring [him] out of this house” (v.14).  In support of his appeal, Joseph explained his plight in a rare moment of self-defense.  He stated that he was been sold by his brothers (“stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews”), and declared that he had “done nothing that they should put [him] into the dungeon” (v.15). 

It is important to realise that Joseph knew full well that he had been mistreated, falsely accused, and was now suffering without a cause.  We may sometimes imagine that a believer like Joseph is able to respond so well to such difficult circumstances because he is blissfully ignorant of what actually happened to him or he has somewhat adjusted himself to his situation in life.  The character of faith Joseph displayed is wonderful when we understand what he endured and realise that he knew what he was enduring.  It is therefore a powerful testimony to the power of God to make a real difference in all trials of our life when we place our unwavering trust in the LORD.

v.16-19 The second dream of the baker did not have as favourable an interpretation.  Similarly, his dream reflected his profession (v.16-17) but “the birds did eat them out of the basket upon [his] head” indicated that, after “three days” (v.18), the baker would be hung and “the birds shall eat [his] flesh from off [him]” (v.19).

v.20-23 The dreams were fulfilled as Joseph interpreted them (v.20-22) and this development must have been a tremendous encouragement to the faith of this young man still in prison.  It would increase his confidence that he was right, that he did not misunderstand God’s revelation to him in dreams.  And he was re-assured that God would yet use him.  This was an encouragement that Joseph needed because the affliction he faced in his imprisonment was not immediately resolved – “the chief butler [did not] remember Joseph, but forgat him” (v.23). 

Joseph had to wait another two full years in prison (cf. 41:1) before it was God’s time for him to rise to power.  During this two years of adversity, Joseph had to persevere in faith.  While it seems that everyone have forgotten him, God has not, and He will make “all things beautiful in His time”.  The timeless lesson for all Christians is that those who are convinced that God desires to use them in greater capacities will demonstrate their faith through their perseverance in the midst of all adversities in life.  Faith that is tried by prolonged difficulties is a key instrument by which God tests his people’s faith in His promises before He entrusts them to positions of greater responsibilities.

In His time, in His time;
He makes all things beautiful
in His time.
Lord, please show me ev’ry day
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say
In Your time.

In Your time, in Your time;
You make all things beautiful
in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring;
May each song I have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing
in Your time.

In His Time by Diane Ball,
Taken from “the Wilds” – We’re Singing, 124