Click here to read Genesis 40
God's gift of dream interpretation in Joseph's life was used in jail to show his mercy, judgment, and power to two unbelievers.
Cupbearer and Baker were both important and highly trusted servants of the king. Since both attended to the king very personally, they had to be trusted with the king's personal health and safety.
Joseph is empathetic.
Before attempting interpretation of their dreams, Joseph gives honour and credit to God.
Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him.
He "lifted their heads". A clever description.
"Hanging" did not describe the method of execution, but the dishonouring of a body after execution. He was likely beheaded and then displayed for a while on a pole.
Amnesties were often offered on Pharaoh's birthday or other anniversaries.
As soon as the cupbearer was comfortable again, he forgot Joseph.
Consider – Joseph’s story is often shown as a man who was extremely patient no matter the circumstance, always trusting God. He is shown as a man of high moral character, who never once reconsidered his refusal of Potiphar’s wife. However, the text does not tell us a lot about Joseph’s mental and emotional state. We needn’t place on him a heroic interpretation. Nothing in the rest of Genesis assumes that the characters must always be morally upright and filled with faith.
Therefore, it is just as likely that this time in jail, or his time in slavery before it, was a time of great darkness and despair. For all we know, he may have had moments, or long moments, of lost faith, confusion, and fear. He may have been badly damaged by his time in prison. We do not know.
However we consider this, whether Joseph is perfectly faithful, badly damaged, or somewhere between, it may affect how we interpret Joseph’s actions later, both as ruler of Egypt and in relationship to his brothers.
It is not important to the story that we create a perfect and heroic image of Joseph. What is important is God’s faithfulness.
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