Genesis 40

Genesis 40: Joseph the dream interpreter

Synopsis

In Genesis 39, you may recall, Joseph was thrown in jail, because he’d been accused by Potiphar’s wife of trying to rape her. However, because the LORD was with him, he won favour with the jailkeeper, and ended up helping to run the jail.

At the beginning of this chapter, the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker offend him, and end up getting thrown in the same jail where Joseph is located. One night they each have dreams, and when Joseph comes in the next morning, finds them dejected, because they aren’t able to interpret them. So Joseph replies “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (verse 8)

So they tell Joseph their dreams, and he interprets them for them. His interpretations are that, within three days, the Pharaoh will restore the cupbearer to his position, whereas he will have the baker executed. He also asks the cupbearer to remember him, when he is restored to his position; because Joseph has not actually done anything to get himself thrown in jail. Ie is hoping the Pharaoh will have him released.

Of course, Joseph’s interpretations come true. In three days, the baker is executed, and the cupbearer is restored to his position. Unfortunately, when the cupbearer is restored to his position, he forgets about Joseph.

Thoughts

By this time, it’s getting pretty clear that Joseph has a pretty hard life. He’s been sold into slavery by his brothers, then been accused of rape and thrown into jail, and finally has a chance to get out of jail, only to have it ruined by his cupbearer’s faulty memory.