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Genesis 40
40 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.
5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”
20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: Last week we were reminded of God’s gracious presence in the life of Joseph. Through all of Joseph's success and suffering, we have seen how God has remained steadfast, being present with him even as he was thrown into an Egyptian prison. In this week’s passage, Genesis 40, we will see God’s continued presence in Joseph's life, even in a chapter where God may seem silent. As Joseph serves the cupbearer and baker in prison, we will see him ask to be remembered, only for the cupbearer to forget him. This passage reminds us that God is always present with His people, even in silence and seasons of waiting; God never forgets His own.
Review & Apply
What does this passage reveal about Joseph’s character and His view of God? Explain.
How would you describe God’s presence with Joseph in this passage? How is it similar/different from Genesis 39?
Does God’s presence take away hardship, suffering, or seasons of waiting in the life of the believer? Why/why not?
In your own life, what would you say drives your obedience to God? The hope of deliverance/reward or your affections? Explain.
What does this passage reveal to us about God’s sovereignty?
Have you ever experienced a season where you felt as though God had forgotten you or was silent? How did God use that season to produce furthered faith and fruit in your life? (Maybe take a moment to pray and thank God for providentially using this challenging season to produce a greater love for Him.)
What might God be doing in your life during seasons of waiting and delay? If you knew the goodness of his plans, how would that encourage you to persevere? Explain.
When considering the next chapter and what happens to Joseph in Genesis 41, how do you continue to see God’s sovereign providence working for good in Joseph’s life?
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