We continue to trace the life of Joseph in one of the darkest moments of his life -- stuck in prison. But for us, how should we view these dark moments in our lives, when we wait and pray and God does not seem to act? Gen 40 has a lesson for us all. Clearly for those who are struggling, it is easy to relate to Joseph. But for those that are not at the moment, it serves as good preparation, and better yet, it reminds us to encourage those around us that we know are struggling.
There is a lesson in Gen 40 for everyone.
(A) Joseph imprisoned but God wanted him there purposefully (Gen 40:1-8)
The chapter begins with the phrase "some time after this", which reminds us that the story of Joseph is linked together in a series of episodes. As always, we are reminded to remember the ongoing story. In Gen 40 we are introduced to the cupbearer, the baker and the Pharaoh. It is easy to gloss over this, but seriously, what are the chances that he is in prison with people that worked for Pharaoh? For those know the story of Joseph's life, we can begin to see how these encounters set the stage for his eventual employment in the king's court. There is an unfolding development in the story, slowly, but surely. Do you ever think of your life this way, that you are where you are today, because you took small steps at various points? In the opening verses of Gen 40, we are reminded that, like in the life of Joseph, God has each event in our lives planned, and these are part of His progressive work in our lives.
Gen 40:2-7 tell us how and why Joseph becomes embroiled in the problems of these two men.
Joseph was promoted to a position of responsibility in prison (Gen 40:4).
The prison warden assigned him to them (Gen 40:4).
He took an interest in them at random and they told him about their dreams (Gen 40:6-8).
In his response too, we learn his views on:
Dreams: Joseph believes that they are from God, and because of that, they have meaning and purpose. From his past experiences with dreams (Gen 37), Joseph knows that God can communicate through them.
God: Because of his previous encounter, he knows that his God speaks and communicates. What about you? Do you really believe there is a God who wants to speak to you? The God of Gen 40 is prepared to go through different means, even through dreams. Remember also where Joseph is -- stuck in prison. Yet, he continues to believe that God speaks, even in a seemingly God-forsaken place like prison!
Himself: Notice what he says in verse 8b. It is a rather bold and arrogant statement, for he is claiming that through him God will speak and explain the dreams. This reveals something important. Joseph did not forget his Hebrew roots even as he lived among the Egyptians. He remembers that even in Egypt, he is an ambassador for his God. Do we marvel at his boldness to presume to speak on behalf of his God? What about us today? Haven't we been told to go to the ends of the earth to speak the good news? 2 Cor 5:20 plainly reminds us that if we are Christians, we are all ambassadors of God. This means every single one of us, not just the pastor, not just the youth worker, not just the Bible study leader. Do you know the God of the Word? What are you doing with His words? Don't just keep it. Speak it!
Egyptian friends: Joseph believes that they are part of God's plans. Do you realise what this means? To Joseph, his God could work even in prison, and even in the lives of Egyptians. Joseph did not limit the areas where God could work and where God cannot! To him, God's hand was at work everywhere. We are reminded of something important here -- to be a Christian is to have an open door policy about all of life, to cede control to God in everything. Life becomes more exciting when we open up the doors of life and let him work in all of it.
These are amazing lessons! Though he was in prison, Joseph did not slink into depression and self-pity. It was undoubtedly a low point for Joseph, but the circumstances did not stop Joseph from serving people, from loving people, from seeing God at work. Clearly God place him there for a reason, as we will see. Do you believe that you are currently where God wants us to be? Acts 17:23-25 reminds us that God does this for everyone.
(B) Joseph interpreted but God sovereignly did not reveal Joseph's own future (Gen 40:9-18)
Joseph interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker in Gen 40:9-18. What do you notice about the way he does it? Joseph explained the dreams in a factual manner, both the good news and the bad. The dreams were not his to defend, for he believes that the interpretation are from God. He has no right to twist it, nor to soften the blow. Joseph believes that this speaking God is incredibly big -- bigger than prison, dreams, life and death. He stands above all, and supreme over all.
We also learn something about Joseph from verses 14-15. Just because God had spoken, Joseph did not remain passive. He saw himself as someone at the receiving end of the cupbearer's kindness, and needed the power of Pharaoh to get him out of prison. He also continues to maintain his innocence. Ironically too, he speaks of their release from prison, either in death or freedom, but yet he knows nothing about his own fate. Here he is, helping these two men, but has no clue of his own. He saved others, but was powerless to help himself.
Joseph's life is a reminder not to be so sucked up in our own misery. In fact, we are reminded to continue doing good to others, even in our own struggles. This is a picture of learning to live with God's resources and waiting for an outcome, even through the trials and struggles. Very often, we are not given the keys to unlock our own doors, or the glasses to see our own situations. We long to heal ourselves, but we can't, and yet, we can do so for others. Yet, Joseph though helpless and fearful, continued to extend help to others.
(C) Joseph ignored but God was remembering him silently (Gen 40:19-23)
After all these verses, we expect a happy ending, a God who comes in and delivers miraculously and immediately. Yet, this chapter ends with Gen 40:23, without hope (yet) and frustrated human salvation. This chapter takes you to the end of human resource for help, because the cupbearer forgot Joseph when he was released. Joseph would be released from prison, but not because of the cupbearer who forgot him.
In these 23 verses, God is missing from this chapter. Like Esther, this is one of the chapters where God is invisible and hidden and cannot be seen. He does not speak directly and obviously. This passage reminds us that sometimes, God chooses to keep silent, but his silence does not mean his absence.
What does this mean? Tim Keller, in his book "Walking with God through Pain and Suffering" sums it up in the following two quotes:
"'The point is this - God was hearing and responding to Joseph's prayers for deliverance, rescue and salvation, but not in the ways or forms or times Joseph asked for it. During all this time in which God seemed hidden, Joseph trusted God nonetheless."
"And all those years when absolutely everything seemed to go wrong for Joseph, was God not there? No, he was there, and he was working. He was hidden, but he was also in complete control. Some people have counted all the accidents and coincidences and other things that had to happen in order for Joseph to become a slave in Egypt..."
Though hidden, God is a contrast to the chief cupbearer. Isa 49:13-16 plainly tells us that God is a God who does not forget, even though man does. Joseph was made to go through this low point not because God forgot. Gen 40 had no burning bush, no talking donkeys, no shekinah glory. Gen 40 lines up events after events, sometimes incredibly mundane and seemingly unrelated. Yet, these were all timely planned and arranged by the God who is sovereign. Gen 40 shows us the immortal, invisible, God only wise (1 Tim 1:17).
Many of us know the outcome of the story, and love the great verse in Gen 50:20, where Joseph boldly declares that everything worked out for good. But, let us not rush through to the end and consider the God of grace even when Joseph was at his lowest. We are so privileged today, because we have the Bible, and in it records all the accounts of God's faithfulness. More importantly, we have Jesus Christ, the Word became flesh. In Him we have a certain hope. This hope allows us to sing and pray the hymn "The Perfect Wisdom of our God".
"O grant me wisdom from above,
To pray for peace and cling to love,
And teach me humbly to receive
The sun and rain of Your sovereignty.
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
“Your perfect will in Your perfect way.”