Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai
INTRODUCTION
We closed the last chapter after Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy to the point where the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. In today’s study, of chapters 40 and 41, we will see how Joseph’s selflessness led to him interacting with two of Pharaoh’s prisoners that would set the stage for one of greatest grass to grace stories.
CHAPTER 40: HOPE IN PRISON
•The Prisoners’ Dreams (Verses 1-8)
Joseph finds himself in charge of two of Pharaoh's chief men, both in trouble. Time passes, until one night each of the two men has a dream. Joseph finds them the next morning, looking dejected and questioned them. We both had dreams, they answered, but there is no one to interpret them. Then Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.
Joseph had the knack of always bringing God in on just about every conversation. Remember in chapter 39 when he was propositioned by Potiphar’s wife. His response was how could I sin against God? From there forward, it's as if Joseph could not put together a complete thought without God in it. The awareness of God in all things will change the way you look at life. Proverbs 3:6 says: “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
•Joseph Interprets the Cupbearer’s Dream (Verses 9-13)
The cupbearer narrated his dream and Joseph said to him. The three branches are three days. Within three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cup bearer.
•Joseph's Plea - Remember me (Verses 14-15)
Although Joseph was making the most of prison, he wanted freedom. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.
•Joseph Interprets the Baker’s Dream (Verses 16-19)
The baker narrated his dream and Joseph interpreted accordingly. The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.”
•The Interpretations come to pass (Verses 20-23)
According to Joseph’s interpretation, the cupbearer got his job back, and the baker was killed. But the chief butler forgot Joseph
• Interesting Parallel – Joseph’s Life and Jesus’
He was sent by the Father to help, parable of the master who sent his son (Matthew 21:33-46), Joseph sent by Jacob (Genesis 37:14).
Sold for silver (20 pieces), betrayed for silver (30 pieces). Accused of things he didn't do, numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12 & Gen.39:20), and suffered for the crimes of another. But it was for good, for our good. Just as Joseph tells his brothers afterwards as well (Gen. 50:20). And there in his suffering, there were two others. The cross between 2 convicts, in prison with the baker and cupbearer. One found salvation, the other condemned. If we look deeper still, a baker, bread, a cup bearer, wine, the two elements of communion, of which Jesus said, do this in remembrance of me. And in verse 14, Joseph says: “When all goes well with you, remember me”. It is not a coincidence that God chose to make Joseph's life point to Jesus’ with so much detail. Remember, Jesus said that all the scripture is about Him. (Luke 24:27)
• Forgotten (Verse 23)
The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph. He forgot him. Do you know what that's like? But we can rest assured, if man forgets us, God will never forget us (Isaiah 49:15). Or maybe you relate to the cupbearer, forgot the One who saved you. A lot of us do that to Jesus. Get out of trouble, then forget about Him.
CHAPTER 41: RISE TO POWER
• The Wait and the Setup (Verses 1-14)
Two full years passed after the chief cupbearer was reinstated with no message from him. It is not the easiest thing to wait for God's plan. Or wait for someone to remember you. Joseph waited for two years since the guy he helped out forgot him. It was also 13 years since he last saw his dad or brothers or home and since his first dream. He left at 17 and was now 30. Imagine losing your 20s as a slave and a prisoner on a false accusation. Waiting for God’s plan is essential for every believer, but even more important is how we wait; the attitude we maintain during the waiting. Joseph, though in prison, worked hard, diligent, faithful, industrious. And God was with him.
And then, one day, something happened. Pharaoh had a disturbing dream no one could interpret. And then the cupbearer remembers what he forgot. That young Hebrew in prison. He could interpret dreams, so Pharaoh sends for him. And just like that, Joseph is shaved, dressed, out of the dungeon, and standing in front of the Pharaoh.
• Joseph’s Humility and Honesty (Verses 15 – 16)
Verse 15, Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you, that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it. I cannot do it, Joseph replied to Pharaoh. But God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires. Pharaoh just gave Joseph the opportunity of a lifetime. He's a slave, a prisoner. And Pharaoh says, I heard that you can interpret dreams. But Joseph refuses to take credit for God's work, even if
it's through him. And who would have known? God, that's who. And God honours that humility.
• Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams (Verses 17-32)
Joseph tells Pharaoh that his two dreams are the same, and that God has shown him what He is about to do. Seven years of great plenty and seven years of famine to follow afterwards.
• The Plan (Verses 33 – 36)
Joseph’s plan was a very good plan. It was wisdom from someone who has had his sense exercised by reason of use. Joseph had been given responsibility for 13 years. working, planning, preparing, delegating, proving faithful, by this time making a plan a second nature. And Pharaoh takes notice.
• The Wait is Over, Joseph’s Dreams Are Fulfilled (Verses 37-42)
In verse 37, the Bible tells us that the plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God? Notice, Pharaoh sees more than just wisdom. He sees the Spirit of God in Joseph. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you. Verses 39
So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Pharaoh gives him his signet ring, the seal of his authority, and he dresses him in a robe of fine linen. The robe returns. Now there's some irony.
• Faithful with Little – Faithful with Much (Verses 43-46)
Joseph is now running one of the greatest nations in history. How could that be possible? It was because he had been in charge, leading as a servant. And he was faithful. That's the key. Jesus reminds us to be faithful with the little things, because the one who is faithful with little will be faithful with much.
• Another parallel with Jesus.
Jesus was given a kingly robe and mocked with it, like Joseph's first robe, it was stained with blood. But Jesus will return in Revelation 19 with another robe, embroidered with the words, King of kings and Lord of lords. In our story, Joseph rides in a chariot, a second in command, as people shout, make way, bow down. Which also reminds me that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess, Jesus is Lord.
• The First Part of Pharoah’s Dream comes to Pass (Verses 47-49)
As promised by God, Egypt enjoys 7 years of plenty and Jospeh executed his plan. He gathered and measured and at some point stopped counting because it became immeasurable.
• Joseph Starts His Family (Verses 50-52)
Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh. That means forget. and said, It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household. At long last life is good, and Joseph is content to forget the hard days. 52. The second son he named Ephraim, that means twice fruitful, and said, It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. It is so good to finally see fruit coming from his life. And again we see that Joseph can't do anything without giving God the credit.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 says: “When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider. God has made the one as well as the other.”
• The Second Part of Pharoah’s Dream comes to Pass (Verses 53-57)
The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. So the famine hit, and hard, and Joseph saved everyone. And all the countries came to Joseph for grain
CONCLUSION
There are several powerful lessons we can learn from today’s study. One is the importance of maintaining the right attitude while waiting on God’s timing. Even through long years of uncertainty and hardship, Joseph trusted that God’s promises would come to pass —a reminder that “the vision is yet for an appointed time” (Habakkuk 2:3) and that God is faithful to keep His Word (Numbers 23:19).
We also see that God honours humility. He never took any credit of his ability to interpret dreams. The Bible tells us that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5), and “He raises up the humble” (Psalm 147:6; Luke 1:52). Joseph’s life is a vivid example of this principle —from the pit to Potiphar’s house, from prison to Pharaoh’s palace, God exalted him in due time.
Throughout his journey, Joseph embodied Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Joseph first lived out verse 5 — trusting fully in God during trials — and then experienced verse 6 as the Lord directed his steps and fulfilled His divine purpose.
