This chapter opens with the imprisonment of two of the King’s officials, the cupbearer and the baker. We aren’t given the specifics, but they are handed over into the custody of the captain of the guard. From last week’s lesson we learned that the captain of the guard had become favorable towards Joseph and put many individuals and responsibilities under his charge. These newly imprisoned officials were assigned to Joseph. Since God works in mysterious ways with absolutely no coincidences, these men were part of a divine plan.
After the cupbearer and baker had been in prison “for some time” they both ironically had a dream on the same night. Not understanding the meaning, they were noticeably depressed. When Joseph saw their expressions, he asked what was going on and they expressed that they had experienced dreams and didn’t know the meaning. Joseph simply replied, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” First, the cupbearer relayed his dream.
There was a vine with three branches which proceeded to bud, blossom and ripen into grapes. The cupbearer took Pharaoh’s cup, squeezed the grapes into his cup and handed the cup to the Pharaoh. The interpretation given by Joseph; the three branches are three days within which the Pharaoh will restore you to your position. You will again put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand for him to drink. There was only one request Joseph made to the cupbearer. Please remember my kindness when you are restored and get me out of this prison!
The baker felt good about the cupbearer’s interpretation, so he began telling Joseph about his dream. The baker had three baskets of bread on his head. The top basket had baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on his head. Joseph once again explains that the three baskets are three days. Within those three days Pharaoh will “lift off your head and hang you on a tree and the birds will eat away your flesh.” Wow, talk about an interpretation!
However, in three days the interpretation of Joseph came to pass for both of these individuals. The cupbearer did not remember the request of Joseph, scripture says, “he forgot him”.
Lord, sometimes we are totally puzzled at the interpretation of our life’s journey. There are many situations we do not understand and cause us to question. But aid our disbelief, discouragement and disappointment to remember your faithfulness, your mercy, grace and love. At those points in our life help us to remember there are no coincidences only divine appointments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next week’s assignment: Read Chapter 41 and answer the following questions:
1. How long before the cupbearer remembered Joseph’s request?
2. How many dreams did Pharaoh need Joseph to interpret? What were they?
3. Make sure you write down verse 15. Joseph makes perfectly clear through whom he is able to interpret dreams.
4. What was the interpretation of these dreams?
5. This particular event is the catapult for God’s plan for Joseph. What position is Joseph now given as a result of his aid to Pharaoh? (verse 39)
6. During the following seven years of abundance make a list of the good fortune that came to Joseph. His name change; his wife’s name; his children; Joseph’s age at the time he was given additional responsibilities and what those additional responsibilities included. (verse 41)
7. What is happening in the land of Egypt at the conclusion of Chapter 41?
After the cupbearer and baker had been in prison “for some time” they both ironically had a dream on the same night. Not understanding the meaning, they were noticeably depressed. When Joseph saw their expressions, he asked what was going on and they expressed that they had experienced dreams and didn’t know the meaning. Joseph simply replied, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” First, the cupbearer relayed his dream.
There was a vine with three branches which proceeded to bud, blossom and ripen into grapes. The cupbearer took Pharaoh’s cup, squeezed the grapes into his cup and handed the cup to the Pharaoh. The interpretation given by Joseph; the three branches are three days within which the Pharaoh will restore you to your position. You will again put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand for him to drink. There was only one request Joseph made to the cupbearer. Please remember my kindness when you are restored and get me out of this prison!
The baker felt good about the cupbearer’s interpretation, so he began telling Joseph about his dream. The baker had three baskets of bread on his head. The top basket had baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on his head. Joseph once again explains that the three baskets are three days. Within those three days Pharaoh will “lift off your head and hang you on a tree and the birds will eat away your flesh.” Wow, talk about an interpretation!
However, in three days the interpretation of Joseph came to pass for both of these individuals. The cupbearer did not remember the request of Joseph, scripture says, “he forgot him”.
Lord, sometimes we are totally puzzled at the interpretation of our life’s journey. There are many situations we do not understand and cause us to question. But aid our disbelief, discouragement and disappointment to remember your faithfulness, your mercy, grace and love. At those points in our life help us to remember there are no coincidences only divine appointments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next week’s assignment: Read Chapter 41 and answer the following questions:
1. How long before the cupbearer remembered Joseph’s request?
2. How many dreams did Pharaoh need Joseph to interpret? What were they?
3. Make sure you write down verse 15. Joseph makes perfectly clear through whom he is able to interpret dreams.
4. What was the interpretation of these dreams?
5. This particular event is the catapult for God’s plan for Joseph. What position is Joseph now given as a result of his aid to Pharaoh? (verse 39)
6. During the following seven years of abundance make a list of the good fortune that came to Joseph. His name change; his wife’s name; his children; Joseph’s age at the time he was given additional responsibilities and what those additional responsibilities included. (verse 41)
7. What is happening in the land of Egypt at the conclusion of Chapter 41?
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