joseph, with unmerited #1 status, is hated by his brothers. they beat him, undeservedly, and sell...

Joseph, with unmerited #1 status, is hated by his brothers. They beat him, undeservedly, and sell him off to slave traders, telling their father that he is dead.

The slave traders sell him to an Egyptian military man, Potiphar. Despite Joseph’s serving Potiphar well, running his entire household, he is falsely accused of attempted rape by Potiphar’s wife. He ends up in the kings prison . . .

11Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Egypt. 22Pharaoh was angry with his two officials,Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 33and put them in and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. the same prison where Joseph was confined. 44The The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. attended them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Certainly Joseph’s dreams had come true, with the Certainly Joseph’s dreams had come true, with the bowing sheaves, stars and such. bowing sheaves, stars and such.


Certainly Joseph’s dreams had come true, with the Certainly Joseph’s dreams had come true, with the bowing sheaves, stars and such. Maybe that is what bowing sheaves, stars and such. Maybe that is what sustained him in his adversity, a kind of promise that sustained him in his adversity, a kind of promise that had not even come close to materializing, yet.had not even come close to materializing, yet.

~ See Hebrews 11:39. Waiting like Abraham . . .~ See Hebrews 11:39. Waiting like Abraham . . .


The context here for Joseph is other imposed, totally The context here for Joseph is other imposed, totally undeserved adversity. undeserved adversity.

Wait and see what God is working on. We might not Wait and see what God is working on. We might not see it, but merely get the aroma. (Like bacon . . . )see it, but merely get the aroma. (Like bacon . . . )

When the adversity is self imposed, repenting When the adversity is self imposed, repenting precedes the waiting. Perhaps it is God who is then precedes the waiting. Perhaps it is God who is then waiting on you.waiting on you.


Chief cupbearer ~ trusted official who was always Chief cupbearer ~ trusted official who was always near by. His role assured that the Pharaoh would not near by. His role assured that the Pharaoh would not be poisoned and did not get lousy beverages.be poisoned and did not get lousy beverages.

Chief baker ~ the Egyptians were renowned gourmets Chief baker ~ the Egyptians were renowned gourmets and knew 57 varieties of bread and 38 different kinds and knew 57 varieties of bread and 38 different kinds of cakes. He would also need to be a highly trusted of cakes. He would also need to be a highly trusted person so as not to poison Pharaoh either.person so as not to poison Pharaoh either.

““offended”: there was some serious offense offended”: there was some serious offense committed. committed. (A banquet went off poorly? Pharaoh (A banquet went off poorly? Pharaoh needed Tums?)needed Tums?)

11Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Egypt. 22Pharaoh was angry with his two officials,Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 33and put them in and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. the same prison where Joseph was confined. 44The The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. attended them. After they had been in custody for some time, After they had been in custody for some time, 55each each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.meaning of its own.

Note on dream interpretation in EgyptNote on dream interpretation in Egypt

In the ancient Near East, dream interpretations were In the ancient Near East, dream interpretations were sought from experts who had been trained in techniques sought from experts who had been trained in techniques and method of the day. Both the Egyptians and and method of the day. Both the Egyptians and Babylonians compiled what are called “dream books,” Babylonians compiled what are called “dream books,” which contain sample dreams along with a key to their which contain sample dreams along with a key to their interpretation. Though some of the interpretations in the interpretation. Though some of the interpretations in the biblical accounts may seem transparent or self-evident, biblical accounts may seem transparent or self-evident, dreams often depended upon symbolism, and the symbols dreams often depended upon symbolism, and the symbols might not stand for what was most logical. The dream might not stand for what was most logical. The dream books preserved the empirical data concerning past books preserved the empirical data concerning past dreams and interpretations therefore offered the security dreams and interpretations therefore offered the security of scientific documentation. It was believed that the gods of scientific documentation. It was believed that the gods communicated generally through dreams but that they communicated generally through dreams but that they revealed the meanings of dreams by giving wisdom in the revealed the meanings of dreams by giving wisdom in the expert’s research.expert’s research. Joseph was not familiar with any of the “scientific’ Joseph was not familiar with any of the “scientific’ literature and would not have had access to it, so he literature and would not have had access to it, so he consulted God. Regardless, his interpretation follows the consulted God. Regardless, his interpretation follows the way the dream literature interpreted comparable symbols.way the dream literature interpreted comparable symbols.

John H Walton, The New Application Commentary – Genesis: John H Walton, The New Application Commentary – Genesis: Zondervan; Grand Rapids, 2001, p.672-3. ISBN-9780310206170Zondervan; Grand Rapids, 2001, p.672-3. ISBN-9780310206170

66When Joseph came to them the next morning, he When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. saw that they were dejected. 77So he asked Pharaoh’s So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” 88“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Being in prison, they had no access to the Being in prison, they had no access to the professionals. professionals.

99So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 1010and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. grapes. 1111Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” put the cup in his hand.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Dream Book, a full goblet was indicative of In the Dream Book, a full goblet was indicative of having a name and an offspring. having a name and an offspring. (Walton, p.673)(Walton, p.673)

99So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 1010and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. grapes. 1111Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” put the cup in his hand.” 1212“This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. three branches are three days. 1313Within three days Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is good news! The short time of fulfillment will This is good news! The short time of fulfillment will quickly show whether or not Joseph’s relationship quickly show whether or not Joseph’s relationship with God is good enough to have revealed a valid with God is good enough to have revealed a valid interpretation. interpretation.

99So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 1010and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. grapes. 1111Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.” put the cup in his hand.” 1212“This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. three branches are three days. 1313Within three days Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 1414But when all goes well with you, remember me and But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. me out of this prison. 1515For I was forcibly carried off For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is nothing that he can do on his own to fix There is nothing that he can do on his own to fix the situation.the situation.

““If you can do anything to help me . . . ”If you can do anything to help me . . . ”

1616When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 1717In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” basket on my head.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Dream Book would hold that carrying fruit on The Dream Book would hold that carrying fruit on one’s head would indicate sorrow.one’s head would indicate sorrow.

1616When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 1717In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” basket on my head.” 1818“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. baskets are three days. 1919Within three days Pharaoh Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”birds will eat away your flesh.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both the baker and cupbearer have their heads Both the baker and cupbearer have their heads lifted; one up and one off. lifted; one up and one off.

1616When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 1717In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” basket on my head.” 1818“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. baskets are three days. 1919Within three days Pharaoh Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”birds will eat away your flesh.” 2020Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials.gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: presence of his officials: 2121He restored the chief He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, 2222but he hanged the but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.interpretation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both the baker and cupbearer have their heads Both the baker and cupbearer have their heads lifted; one up and one off. lifted; one up and one off.

HHaappppy y bbiirrtthhddaay y tto o yyoouu..



1616When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 1717In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” basket on my head.” 1818“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. baskets are three days. 1919Within three days Pharaoh Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”birds will eat away your flesh.” 2020Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials.gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: presence of his officials: 2121He restored the chief He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, 2222but he hanged the but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.interpretation. 2323The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.Joseph; he forgot him.

Have you ever been forgotten?

1616When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 1717In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” basket on my head.” 1818“This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. baskets are three days. 1919Within three days Pharaoh Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”birds will eat away your flesh.” 2020Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials.gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: presence of his officials: 2121He restored the chief He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, 2222but he hanged the but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.interpretation. 2323The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.Joseph; he forgot him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 101Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

12Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

David felt forgotten.

said to them in his interpretation.said to them in his interpretation. 2323The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.Joseph; he forgot him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David felt forgotten.David felt forgotten.

Psalm 13 ~ For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me? 2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; 4my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.


David felt forgotten.David felt forgotten.I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Jacob ever felt forgotten? Jacob ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if the Israelites ever felt forgotten? the Israelites ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Moses ever felt forgotten? Moses ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Gideon ever felt forgotten? Gideon ever felt forgotten?

““But sir,” he replied, “if the LBut sir,” he replied, “if the LORDORD is with us, why is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the has all this happened to us? Where are all the wonders that our fathers told us about when they wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LBut now the LORDORD has abandoned us and put us has abandoned us and put us into the hands of Midian.”into the hands of Midian.”

See Judges 6See Judges 6


David felt forgotten.David felt forgotten.I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Jacob ever felt forgotten? Jacob ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if the Israelites ever felt forgotten? the Israelites ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Moses ever felt forgotten? Moses ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Gideon ever felt forgotten? Gideon ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Naomi ever felt forgotten? Naomi ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Hannah ever felt forgotten? Hannah ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Elijah ever felt forgotten? Elijah ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Jeremiah ever felt forgotten? Jeremiah ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if the disciples ever felt forgotten? the disciples ever felt forgotten?I wonder ifI wonder if Paul ever felt forgotten? Paul ever felt forgotten?I wonder if I wonder if Jesus ever felt forgotten?Jesus ever felt forgotten?

““My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”


David felt forgotten.David felt forgotten.I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Abraham ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jacob ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jacob ever felt forgotten?I wonder if the Israelites ever felt forgotten?I wonder if the Israelites ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Moses ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Moses ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Gideon ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Gideon ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Naomi ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Naomi ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Hannah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Hannah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Elijah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Elijah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jeremiah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jeremiah ever felt forgotten?I wonder if the disciples ever felt forgotten?I wonder if the disciples ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Paul ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Paul ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jesus ever felt forgotten?I wonder if Jesus ever felt forgotten?

““My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It surely must have seemed that God had forgotten all about Joseph when all along there was this most excellent plan that was fully in the works; a plan that would result in not only the preservation of Jacob, Inc., but in the offer of salvation for us today.


Could it be the case that God is working on Could it be the case that God is working on something that requires your current adversity?something that requires your current adversity?

Could it be that you are on a mission Could it be that you are on a mission from God and that it is not easy at all?from God and that it is not easy at all?

What if the story isn’t about me at all, What if the story isn’t about me at all, but rather for me, for us?but rather for me, for us?

Ephesians 1:9-10 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment —to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.


What if God’s working all things together for the GoodWhat if God’s working all things together for the Goodand that this Good requires you to take some knocks?and that this Good requires you to take some knocks?




What if God’s working all things together for the GoodWhat if God’s working all things together for the Goodand that this Good requires him to take some knocks?and that this Good requires him to take some knocks?



What if God’s working all things together for the GoodWhat if God’s working all things together for the Goodand that this Good requires him to take some knocks?and that this Good requires him to take some knocks?

What if the story isn’t about me at all, What if the story isn’t about me at all, but rather for me, for us?but rather for me, for us?

What if we chose to trust the One whoWhat if we chose to trust the One whofully understands suffering and waiting?fully understands suffering and waiting?


Psalm 13 ~ For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me? 2How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and every day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; 4my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6I will sing to the LORD,

for he has been good to me.


What if something bigger than you/me, and better that what you/I have planned is going on even now?

Can you/I wait and trust?

5But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your

salvation. 6I will sing to the LORD,

for he has been good to me.

And now, the rest of the story . . .

55But I trust in your unfailing But I trust in your unfailing love;love;

my heart rejoices in your my heart rejoices in your salvation.salvation. 66I will sing to the LORD, I will sing to the LORD,

for he has been good to for he has been good to me. me.

joseph, with unmerited #1 status, is hated by his brothers. they beat him, undeservedly, and sell...

Documents

chief cupbearer

king of egypt

chief baker

kings prison

josephs dreams

bowing sheaves

slave traders

undeserved adversity