Joseph Interprets Two Prisoners’ Dreams. And they said to him, “We have [each] dreamed [distinct] dreams and there is no one to interpret them.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me [your dreams].” Gen 40:8
INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAME10NT
II. GOD AND THE CHOSEN FAMILY, Genesis 12-50
3. The History of Jacob’s Sons, Joseph and His Brothers
(2) Joseph’s Servitude in Egypt, Genesis 39-41
71. What enabled him to interpret the dreams of his fellow-prisoners?
JOSEPH INTERPRETS TWO PRISONERS’ DREAMS
And they said to him, “We have [each] dreamed [distinct] dreams and there is no one to interpret them.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me [your dreams].”
the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream there was a grapevine in front of me;
and on the vine were three branches. Then as soon as it budded, its blossoms burst open, and its clusters produced ripe grapes [in rapid succession].
Now Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup; then I placed the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
Then Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: the three branches represent three days;
within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head (present you in public) and restore you to your position; and you will [again] put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand just as [you did] when you were his cupbearer.
Only think of me when it goes well with you, and please show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.
For in fact I was taken (stolen) from the land of the Hebrews by [unlawful] force, and even here I have done nothing for which they should put me in the dungeon.”
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation [of the dream] was good, he said to Joseph, “I also dreamed, and [in my dream] there were three cake baskets on my head;
and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds [of prey] were eating [these foods] out of the basket on my head.”
Joseph answered, “This is the interpretation of it: the three baskets represent three days;
within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and will hang you on a tree (gallows, pole), and [you will not so much as be given a burial, but] the birds will eat your flesh.”
Now on the third day, [which was] the Pharaoh’s birthday, he [released the two men from prison and] made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker [that is, presented them in public] among his servants.
He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and the cupbearer [once again] put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;
but Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted [the meaning of the dreams] to them.
Yet [even after all that] the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot [all about] him.
JOSEPH INTERPRETS TWO DREAMS
Joseph as an interpreter was among a thousand. Because his pure heart was open to God, he could unriddle the mysteries of human life. Very often those who walk with God can solve and explain the dark riddles of human life for the less enlightened. Joseph was keenly alive to God’s presence. It filled the prison with glory. He knew that thence must come all their hope and expectation; and God was “in the shadow, keeping watch above His own.” He was contriving and superintending the chain of events which were to set His young servant on the throne. Man had despised and rejected him, but God had already prepared for him a position of honor and usefulness, to which his ministry to these men was as rungs in the upward ladder. Do not neglect small acts of ministry. Faithfulness in the very little leads to the throne-life. The butler’s forgetfulness reminds us of our shameful forgetfulness of the Redeemer, who has brought us up out of the pit, and redeemed us with precious blood. Yet He said: “This do in remembrance of me.”
Comments by
WILLIAM MACDONALD
Believers Bible Commentary
On
Genesis 40:8-23
II. THE PATRIARCHS OF ISRAEL (Chaps. 12-50)
D. Joseph (37:1–50:26)
Genesis 40:1-23
4. Joseph Interpreting the Butler’s and Baker’s Dreams (Chap. 40)
40:1-19 Among Joseph’s fellow-prisoners were the butler (cupbearer) and the baker of the king of Egypt (vv. 1-4). When they each had a dream, Joseph offered to interpret them (vv. 5-8). The butler’s dream of the vine meant that Pharaoh would lift up his head to a position of favor in three days (vv. 9-15). But the baker’s dream of the three white cake baskets indicated that within three days Pharaoh would lift off his head—by hanging him (vv. 16-19).
Notice that Joseph did not wait for his circumstances to change. He glorified God and served others in the circumstances.
40:20-23 When the chief butler was released, he failed to intercede for Joseph, as he had promised (v. 23). But the Lord did not forget. “Remember me, when it is well with you” (v. 14). The Savior spoke similar words on the night of His betrayal, words which we can obey by taking the symbolic bread and wine.
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