THE STORY OF JOSEPH. EPISODE 4. GENESIS CHAPTER 40: DREAMS COME TRUE (Part 1)

CHAPTER 40: DREAMS COME TRUE Part  1

In this chapter we see:

• Ø  Two of pharaoh’s chief officers, the chief cup bearer (the butler) and the chief baker, jailed and join Joseph in prison
• Ø  Joseph is assigned the two chief officers of pharaoh in prison
• Ø  Each of the two chief officers had a dream that they could not interpret
• Ø  Joseph interprets the dreams and requests the cup bearer to remember him when he is restored
• Ø  The dreams come true just as Joseph had interpreted them

We left off in chapter 39 where Joseph is in a maximum prison in a foreign land. Joseph seems to have made peace with it and even taken delegated roles there and at which he is performing excellently. And his dedication and diligence in whatever he finds himself to do will give room for what is about to happen next. Two of the chief officers of Pharaoh land in this same prison where Joseph is.

 It is not clear from the previous chapter why Potiphar chose to put Joseph in this particular prison which was specifically set aside for pharaoh’s prisoners like these two that have just landed now. In fact, it would be expected that Potiphar would have most likely executed Joseph by hanging going by the grave nature of the accusations against him. But somehow, he chose to spare his life and put him here.

One thing we can say is that probably Potiphar did not believe the accusations brought forward by his own wife. Possibly because he knew her character and also that of Joseph who he had entrusted with everything in his household save for his wife. Yet he would not ignore the allegations against Joseph for they were very adverse if true. Another way to see this is that Potiphar knew for sure that Joseph was innocent but he had to do something to pacify his wife’s rage/fake anger. This would immediately remind us the case of John the Baptist whose head was chopped off  despite his innocence, all for the sake of pleasing Herodias. One thing we can however say is for sure is that God restrained Potiphar from taking the most drastic course, hanging him as a criminal, because God was not done with the beautiful story of Joseph as yet. And that is another factor that gets us to this very important event in this story because what happens here in this chapter will propel Joseph to stand before pharaoh himself in the coming chapters.

It is important to stop here and think of the two factors that we have mentioned so far and that will propel Joseph to stand before pharaoh. One, Joseph is such a hardworking and diligent young man that he stands out wherever he finds himself. This causes him to be put in charge at Potiphar’s house as well as in the prison confinement. This means that when pharaoh’s  chief servants arrive in prison, he is the man in charge and therefore he will directly interact with them giving him a chance to have his name later mentioned before pharaoh. Two, God is at work to make sure Joseph is found at the right place and at the right time.

We can say that from the above two factors, we see both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man at work together. Joseph’s is a free agent whose conduct is partly responsible for what becomes of his life yet God’s providence is directing his path and giving favor in the eyes of men. We need to realize that while God is sovereign and directs the affairs of our lives and the universe by his divine decree, our choices and actions also play a part in what becomes of our lives. The choices and actions of Joseph in this and previous chapters will contribute to him eventually standing  before pharaoh. The bible says in Proverbs 22:29, Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. (NKJV)

Another thing to ponder here is the question: if God’s ultimate destiny for Joseph is to stand before pharaoh, why did he have to go through all this stops? From the pit, to Potiphar’s house as slave and now to prison? Why straight to pharaohs palace directly. And we know that God is not limited in terms of options that would even parachute Joseph directly to stand before pharaoh. Again, the answer to this question is partly answered by the truth that what we see at work here is God’s providence at work. This is God’s hidden hand working behind the scenes in the mundane and normal things of life to achieve his purposes, at times in spite of the ungodly acts of man.

Another reason we can put forward here is the need for various trials to shape and confirm the character of a person. Romans 5:3-5 Paul writes, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT) The bible also says in James 2:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ()NKJV

The apostle peter wants us to understand that trials and suffering will be part of the Christian walk. He writes: Resist him (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:9-10, NKJV). It has correctly been said that just as the umbrella does not stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain, our faith in God  may not remove our trials, but it gives us God's strength to overcome them.

Joseph’s character has, like gold, been purified through fiery trials. In a way he has been made perfect, complete and lacking nothing. We can say he is now a ready vessel for God’s noble use and soon we will see him established, strengthened and settled into his G         od ordained destiny.

In this chapter we see God now in the final stages of putting him in that place of his destiny. When the two chief officers of pharaoh land in prison they are given to Joseph to be with them to attend to them. We are only told that they offended their master pharaoh but the nature of their offence we are not hereby told. But somehow, they are now in the same dungeon with our  friend Joseph who we know for sure committed no offense. Joseph is hereby numbered with the transgressors just like it is prophesied of the Messiah (Christ Jesus) in Isaiah 53:12.

Indeed, the bible says here that that Joseph attended them meaning he sort of served them. This reminds me of the Son of Man, of whom the bible says that he did not come to be served but rather to serve.  (Matthew 20:28,Mark 10:45). The bible also says it was after sometime that the two chief officers had a dream each. And Joseph notices in the morning after that the two were troubled and therefore wants to know why. Joseph is a man full of empathy and leaders must have this trait in order to be truly effective.

The two are sad because “there is no one to interpret their dreams.” But Joseph offers to interpret the dreams in the notion that it is God who gives interpretation to the dreams. Joseph recognizes that God has solutions for the things that trouble humanity. His confidence in God who never fails is also on another level. Talking of Jesus when confronted by his disciples on the difficulty of a rich person getting saved, the bible says in Matthew 19:26: But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(NKJV). Again, when Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to bring the news that she would bear a son while being a virgin and also informing her that her cousin Elizabeth who was barren is now pregnant with a child, the angel tells her: For nothing will be impossible with God.”(Luke 1:37)

We need to realize that we serve a God that is omnipotent, He can never fail in whatever He wills to do. As believers, we at times face impossible situations that seem hopeless from  every angle that we look at it but we need to, like Joseph, see it from angle of scriptures; That there is nothing too difficult for our God.

It is however important to note here that when Joseph talks in this verse 8b saying, “Do not interpretations belong to God? The officers of pharaoh may have a very different understanding of that term “God”. Egypt was a highly polytheistic nation, meaning that they believed in many gods, but Joseph’s understanding was that of the One True God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob his forefathers. And so, when he mentions this “God”, they must have wondered, which one? I am not sure they had a god or goddess for interpreting dreams but even if there was one, or even if their magicians and prophets would try to help, at this time, they were not available for these officers of pharaoh because the officers were secluded in a maximum prison.

But Joseph is such a good  example of how we should witness as believers in Christ. We should not be afraid to introduce “Our God” even to people that are of different faith or religion from us. In this scenario that Joseph is in, it would seem to me like the words recorded in Isaiah 40:28 heavily apply when I think of how Joseph responded to the difficulty that was presented by these men. I sort of hear Joseph echoing the words of Isaiah to these men, Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (ESV).

Brothers and sisters may I present to you the God that we serve and this chapter of Isaiah has more to say about Him. And what’s more, he is an ever-present help in time of trouble/need. (Psalms 46:1) He is Emmanuel, always with us. Therefore, brethren, with our God, help is always here. And Joseph had such high confidence in this God, that He will reveal the secret message in the dreams of this men.

The two chief officers of pharaoh (the butler and the baker) proceed to recount their dreams to Joseph one a time. The butler(cup bearer) goes first and tells what he saw in the dream. Joseph explains that the butler would be restored into pharaohs service e in three days. Joseph also makes a humble plea to the butler to remember him and mention Joseph’s name before pharaoh as a plea of innocence.

Upon hearing how good the interpretation of the butler’s dream is, the baker is eager to have his own dream interpreted and so he readily recounts it. Unfortunately for him, the interpretation of his dream spells doom about his future. But nevertheless, Joseph does not shy away from telling it to him. And this is a lesson to us teachers of God’s word. At times the word of God will not say what is pleasant to the listeners ear, yet even then, it has to be said. Sometimes, the speaking of God’s word irritates and offends people but at the appropriate moment, it has to be said. Matthew Henry comments, thus hypocrites, when they hear good things promised to good Christians, would put in for a share, though they have no part nor lot in the matter. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought him no better tidings. Ministers are but interpreters, they cannot make the thing otherwise than it is; if therefore they deal faithfully, and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Bad dreams cannot expect a good interpretation.

A lot of times, unbelievers want to claim the promises and blessings of God in the Bible yet they don’t want the God or the terms of the Bible. A good example would how we interact with Psalm 23. A lot of people including unbelievers want to say “the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” yet they don’t want the LORD for who he is. While preaching on this Psalm, pastor Voodie Baucham notes that not everyone can claim this promise of God’s shepherd-hood. Voodie explains that Psalm 23 must be read in its proper context and that is after psalm 22. Psalm 22 talks about the suffering Messiah whose death and resurrection would redeem people back to God.

 It is only those that have been redeemed and reconciled to God by the saving work of the Messiah, that can effectively claim that the LORD is their shepherd. Jesus makes it clear that He is the Good Shepherd particularly in John 10. In that chapter he explains that there are those who are not his sheep and therefore do not believe in him. The Bible says, Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:25-28). As pastors we must make the distinction between the message for the unbeliever and that for the believer, just like joseph distinctively interpreted the dreams for each of  these two officers.

The problem we have today is preachers who only say what tickles people’s fancy and avoid that which might not. This has caused there to be a diluted or even distorted gospel being preached on pulpits Sunday after Sunday, gathering after gathering. A case in point is in a recent funeral ceremony of a famous city preacher where another one particular renown  city preacher blatantly abused scripture to propagate the same prosperity gospel that the dead preacher was famous for. It was such a heartbreaking scene to watch for those of us who care about fidelity to the scriptures.

But scripture has warned about such happenings in the last days. Paul warns his mentee preacher Timothy: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. ³For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:2-4, NLT). Our city has plenty of mega churches that are overflowing with attendees over multiple services per Sunday where 111myths, rather than the gospel, are the order of the day. And such are what people want and prefer. Such a sad situation.

Preachers and teachers of God’s word need to preach both sermons, the butler’s sermon and the baker’s sermon, the prosperity sermon and the problems and pains sermon, the heaven sermon and the hell sermon.  The believer should be reminded of the restoration that awaits him (the butler’s message) while the unbeliever needs to be warned of the damnation that awaits him (the baker’s message).

In just three days’ time, just as Joseph interpreted the dreams, the fate of these two men is determined. The dreams come true. The butler is restored in to his place of honor while the baker is hanged. Now, as earlier mentioned,  we don’t know what the offences were for each of them but it would seem that both men had committed serious offences. Yet one man’s life was spared(forgiven) and the other one’s life taken(condemned). Alternatively, we might assume that one was found innocent thus restored to honor and the other guilty thus condemned to death.

Either way, this should remind us of a coming day when everyone will stand before the throne of the  King of kings and the Lord of lords. The bible says in John 5:28-29  “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. (NIV) (Also Daniel 12:2).

It is fair to say that joseph’s interpretation of the dream becomes the dividing line between the fate of these two men. This can also remind us of the two thieves on the crosses on each side of the cross on which Jesus was hang as recorded in the gospels. In Luke 23:32-55 this story of Jesus crucified between two criminals  is recorded in detail. It states here that one was on his right and the other on the left. It also says one of them mocked and blasphemed Jesus. The other recognized Jesus as being both sinless and Lord. He also asked Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus promised him a place in paradise.

We can clearly see the glaring similarities between these two stories involving two criminals and an innocent man between them. One criminal is condemned to death while the other is saved and restored.

Another interesting point to think about this story about  the butler and the baker is how strikingly this whole chapter reflects on the concept of the Holy Communion sacrament. The butler is concerned with the wine while the baker is concerned with the bread of the king. These two (wine and bread) are the two key elements of the Holy Communion sacrament. So, we can say that this chapter has significant symbolism for the future Holy Communion that Jesus would institute. What are some of the attributes of holy communion that we can see reflected in this story of the butler and the baker?

One, we can say that while the holy communion is a reminder of the sacrifice that gave us healing (by His stripes/wounds we are healed, Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24) and life eternal, Paul says some people have taken it unworthily leading to sickness and even death. He writes in 1 Corinthians 11:30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. (ESV). So, we see both life and damnation around the communion table just like we see in this story of the butler and the baker.

Another thing to point out is that in both stories around the communion and the story of joseph with the two officers of pharaoh, there appeal for remembrance. Joseph, in verse 23, asks the butler to remember him, his good service to him, when the butler stands again before the king. Jesus also, in instituting the holy communion, appealed for remembrance of his sacrificial work for our salvation. (Luke 22:18-20,1 Corinthians 11:23-25). From this story of joseph, we know that the butler remembered not joseph or his request once he was restored to his position before pharaoh.

This should make is as believers to be careful not to forget the command of Jesus that he gave at the first communion table: to have communion as often as possible in remembrance of Him and His saving work through His body and blood on the cross of calvary. As believers we must never be like the butler who forget the good deeds of joseph, but rather we must remember what Jesus did for us pn the cross every time we are partaking the holy communion and indeed at all times. We might read how the butker forgot about joseph in just three days and wonder how ungrateful he must have been, but then we don’t see how ungrateful we are when we lose the wonder of the cross and do not daily reflect on it.

About this request for remembrance, there is a little bit more to be said about. We see that Joseph made an unusual personal plea for the butler to mention his name when he stands before pharaoh upon his reinstatement as a butler. It is unusual because this is the only place we see joseph pursuing a personal interest in the whole story and even pleading his own innocence. But this verse says that the butler/chief cup bearer did not remember Joseph once he was restored. In fact, in the next chapter verse one, we get to know that at least two years will pass before that happens. What a disappointment, poor Joseph, you might say! But as the running theme in this story is, all things, including this disappointing act of ingratitude by the butler, is working for good for Joseph and we will consider it further in our next chapter.

One last point here. We can learn from this eventuality, that it is in vain to put our trust or confidence in man. The bible clearly teaches that cursed is the man that puts his trust in man and blessed is the man who puts his trust(hope and confidence)in God. (Jeremiah 17:5-8) It is wise to have as little expectation as possible from man, and as much as possible from God.

Finally, a question to ponder on here concerning the dreams of the two chief officers of pharaoh: what do we as New Testament believers have to learn from this precise coming true of these dreams? Do we still expect God to speak to us through and in dreams? That much we shall discuss in the second part of this “Dreams Come True” Episode.