The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Mt 5:16). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
What would it be like to be Joseph in prison in Egypt? God was with him, but would he extend that same grace to others? This is our story today from Genesis 40:1-8.
Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king of Egypt. 2 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 charged Joseph with them, and he waited on them; and they continued for some time in custody. 5 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 meaning. 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.”
In our story we see the hand of God on Joseph when the He brings two prisoners into his life who are assigned to him by his old boss Potiphar, the Captain of the Guard. It says that Joseph attended to them. That word attended is very important and means to wait upon, serve and minister to. Joseph was in charge of the prison, but how was he acting? He was serving, ministering, and waiting upon those in prison. This gives us insight into the heart of Joseph.
It says in Genesis 40:4 that the cup bearer and the baker had been in custody a long time. During this time Joseph was caring for them and developing a relationship with them. To develop relationships takes time and there is no short cut. Joseph notices their change of moods after they have had their dreams. He cares enough to ask why they are sad. Part of caring and serving one another is observation of people around us. During their time in prison the cup bearer and baker had come to trust Joseph. Because of this trust, they felt safe to share what was happening in their lives. Who in your life is the Lord calling you to serve or minister to? As believers, the Lord calls us to love and serve one another.
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. Galatians 5:13-14
Listen to our podcast to hear more about the story of Joseph. https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-joseph/in-prison
F The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ge 40:1–8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ga 5:13–14). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.