5c Joseph in Prison [Genesis 40]

The Bible passage: [Genesis 40]

The Story:

While Joseph was in the prison, God was with him. God showed Joseph kindness. The warden looked favorably at Joseph and over time, put him in charge of all of the prisoners. The warden saw that Joseph was successful in everything that he did.

After a time, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt did something to offend the king. They were both sent to the prison and were put into Joseph’s custody.

Both men had dreams one night and didn’t know the meaning of their dreams.

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they looked depressed and asked why they looked so sad.

They answered, “We both had dreams, and no one can tell us what the dreams mean.”

Joseph told them, “God can provide the answers to your dreams. Tell me your dreams.”

The cupbearer told Joseph his dream. “I saw a vine in front of me, and the vine had three branches. The vine budded and blossomed, and the clusters ripened into grapes. I had Pharaoh’s cup, and I made wine from the grapes. I put the wine in the cup and put the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

“Here is the meaning,” Joseph said. “The three branches are three days. In three days, Pharaoh will release you and restore you to your position of honor. When everything goes well for you, remember me and mention me to Pharaoh so I can get out of this prison.”

The baker, after hearing the good report for the cupbearer, asked Joseph to interpret his dream. “On my head were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but birds were eating the baked goods from the basket.”

Joseph told him, “The three baskets are three days. In three days, Pharaoh will call you up from prison and have you impaled on a pole, and the birds will eat your flesh.”

Three days later was Pharaoh’s birthday and he gave a feast for his officials. He sent for the cupbearer and baker. He restored the cupbearer to his position and impaled the baker, just as Joseph had said he would do.

The cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph.

Previous: 5b Joseph in Potiphar’s House [Genesis 39]

Next: 5d Joseph and Pharaoh [Genesis 41]

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