Genesis | Chapter 40

Genesis 40:1-23

 “Hopes and dreams”

1. Intro.
2. Vs. 1-12 I had a dream
3. Vs. 13-23 I’ve got some Good news and some bad news

Intro.

The chapter before us centers around three dreams, “Three dreams, even though most only count the two the butler’s and the bakers?” The third is Joseph’s and it is how he handles the disappointment of not seeing his happen that interests me the most. One of the greatest qualities in the life of Joseph is in spite of all his circumstances his optimism never wavers. Joseph could well have adopted a pessimistic attitude that always waited for the other shoe to drop. God is always dealing with me on this issue of trusting Him in spite of my circumstances. Real optimism is:

• Aware of the problems but sees God as the solution.
• Knows about the difficulties but believes that in the Lord they will be over come.
• Understands the negatives but choose to see the positives.
• Deals with the worst but expects the best.
• Has reasons to complain but has decided to have joy in the Lord.

Vs. 1-12 I had a dream

Vs. 1-2 In these first two verses it is not yet apparent how two servants of the Pharaoh will impact Joseph’s life but they will. Here is something that will bring us closer to the Lord: There are no chance happenings in the Lord everything is by divine appointment. I wonder how many times we have missed out on the joy of the Lord because we failed to see that everything and everyone is part of His plan for us. Christian every day is an opportunity given to us by the Lord that only has our best interest at heart! Oh forgive me Lord for failing to see that today, last month, last year, was designed to make me more like You!

The word “offended” is rendered “sinned” in other versions and it points to the fact that these two fellows had done something that was very grievous against Pharaoh. Some think since both of them dealt with food that they were involved in an assassination plot, but we can’t be sure.

Vs. 3-4 Joseph was placed in prison but really he just moved from the penthouse to the basement. Yet his heart towards the Lord, as seen in his service, has not moved. There is no hint of bitterness, no attitude towards Potiphar that shows that he is anything other then trusting the Lord for his new position. “Whenever there is a change in your status it is not a demotion it is a promotion when you are serving the Lord.” It is designed to draw you closer towards Him, to make you again desperate to be in only His presence. In the worlds eyes you may have gone from the penthouse to the basement but in the Lord you moved up! Joseph just choose to see what happened to him from what he knew to be true about God’s instead of how the world saw it. What enabled him to react this way? Well we are told in 39:21 “the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” This was not blind optimism; no it was confidence in a God who was never going to leave him even during the hardest times. Joseph was not thinking escape rather he was thinking endurance. Ok, how did he endure this dungeon of despair? Let me suggest four things:

1. 4 Saw His situation as a blessing not a curse. “The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them”: This does not mean that Joseph just a slave towards them the word here means “ministered” and accordingly in verses 6-7 we can see the depth of that service was encouraging them. You can not minister to others, be an encouragement to others if you are having some sort of “why me” party. Joseph was living out his faith no matter where he was at. He did not view this situation as a set back but as an advancement! As long as he was in the presence of the Lord then he was still being blessed.
2. Rest upon God’s word as truth no matter what the situation was saying: Back in chapter 37 God had assured him that he was going to be elevated above his family. Four times the Lord told him in chapter 39 that he was going to make him successful or blessed. Yet with that said that Lord never indicated WHEN this was going to take place only that it WAS. Joseph was assured that “someday, someway” God was going to do what He had told him He was going to do and therefore what he was going through at that time had to be a part of God’s plan for his life. If we don’t believe that then we do not have trust or faith, we only have wishful thinking.
3. Complete confidence in God: Not only in his future but in his present circumstances even through the injustice of being sold into slavery by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Trials are part of this life in Christ Christian. Jesus said so in John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation” but He finishes out those words with the encouragement of “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” James gave us the WHY of the trials we face when he said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” We often become very despondent during those times of trials because our faith is based upon God meeting our expectations. In Joseph we see what true faith is all about, as he did not want out of his trial he wanted to get everything that God had for him out of his trail.
4. He realized that God was working in him a more perfect work: The greater work God does is not through the man but rather in the man! Joseph was serving in humility he was not rapped up in himself he was broken and pure. He used this as an opportunity to reach others with the hope he had in the Lord. His heart of brokenness was what set him free and eventually would lead others to the same freedom. The most humbling of circumstances are the occasions for God’s greatest works!

Vs. 5-8 People who have become bitter about their situation in life become self centered and are never concerned with the heartaches of others. So many people use the excuses of the injustices done to them as a reason to live just for themselves. We become consumed with what is or isn’t being done towards us and in so doing we treat others the very way we hated being treated ourselves. Not so with Joseph he is all about treating people, as he would want to be treated. Jesus said in Luke 6:31 “Do for others as you would like them to do for you.”

Apparently Egyptians put a lot of stock into their dreams as it related to future events. They had those who were qualified as dream experts and could tell you the meaning of your dreams and because these two guys were in prison they had no access to them. Look again at Joseph’s words, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” and remember his situation. I mean here is a guy whose own dreams have not come into fruition and have instead gone exactly the opposite and he is boasting in God’s ability to love and care for him to others. How about it has your present situation caused you to doubt God’s love?

Vs. 9-12 Personally speaking the last time Joseph opened himself up to sharing the interpretation of dreams in brought about jealousy and being sold into slavery. But he invites the two guys to share them with him. The butler shared his dream with out any hesitation most likely because he could see the evidence of Joseph’s life being touched by the Lord.

Several points need to be made about Joseph and this interpretation:

1. He asked no favors of the Butler prior to giving it.
2. He does not give a vague prediction but rather a very specific interpretation.
3. He obviously believed that the interpretation given him was from the Lord as he made a request upon the dream’s fulfillment.

Vs. 13-23 I’ve got some Good news & some bad news

Vs. 13-15 It appears that in some way Joseph is discontent with his placement in prison as he asks the butler to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. I’m do not believe that is the case rather I think Joseph was perfectly content to be where God wanted him to be but was not convinced that where God wanted him was behind bars. So all he does is attempt to walk through the door provided by the Lord, the results would take two years to come to fruition. There are far to any in the Christian faith that see their faith as “fatalistic” and are content that God would have them make no attempt to change. Operating in our own strength is not good either but simple saying, “What will be will be!” is not faith any more then trying to make it happen. Now Joseph knows that he will not be out of his situation any sooner then the Lord wants him to be, but that does not mean that Joseph should not make every effort provide for him to accomplish what he believes is what the Lord wants for him.

Vs. 16-19 When the baker saw the favorable interpretation he was embolden to share his dream. What is interesting is that Joseph did not hesitate in telling the baker the interpretation even though it spoke of the baker’s demise. Far to often we are prone only to speak the butler’s message while neglecting the baker’s message not so with Joseph as he spoke of the whole council of the Word of God. Joseph’s faithfulness in giving the interpretation to the baker was far more important then the good news to the butler as it gave him time to repent and get his heart right. Joseph spoke the truth in love and told it like it was and according to 41:13 that impressed Pharaoh.

Vs. 20-23 The dreams fit the interpretations to the tee further more they came to pass as the Lord had shown him. Yet even with his release the butler does not remember to speak to Pharaoh about Joseph for two whole years. Yet Joseph’s hopes were not placed upon the butler but rather the Lord because although the butler forgot him for two years the Lord never did!