Genesis 40

Genesis 40:1-4

In this chapter things are working, though slowly, towards Joseph’s abhorment. 1. Two of Pharaoh’s servants are committed to prison, and there is Joseph’s care, and so become witnesses of his extraordinary conduct. ver. 1—4. 2. They dreamed each of them a dream, which Joseph interpreted, ver. 5—19. The court verified the interpretation, ver. 20—22. and so they became witnesses of his extraordinary skill. 3. Joseph recommends his case to one of them, whose preferment he foresaw, ver. 14, 15. but in vain, ver. 23.

1. AND it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt, and his baker, had offended their lord the king of Egypt. 2. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 3. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

The favour of princes is an uncertain possession. Two chief officers of Pharaoh experience a sad revet of fortune, from a palace to a prison. They little thought for whose sake they were brought thither: it is for Joseph’s, and into his custody they are committed. The links of the chain of providence are strangely connected, but in wisdom all. If Poriphar was this captain of the guard, it seems he was now convinced of Joseph’s innocence. Time often clears up the characters of the injured.

5. ¶ And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream; the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and behold they were sad. 7. And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore I look ye so sadly to day? 8. And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations being to God? tell me them, I pray you. 9. And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said unto him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me. 10. And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes. 11. And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. 12. And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13. Yet within three days I shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wash his butler. 14. But I think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me; and make mention of Vol. I.

me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15. For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and I here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. 16. When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good; he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and behold I had three & white baskets on my head. 17. And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of *bake-meals for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. 18. And Joseph answered, and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days. 19. Yet within three days shall Pharaoh I lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

Genesis 40:5-19

We have here,

1. Two extraordinary dreams, which happened to the prisoners under Joseph’s care. Much affected with the visions on their bed, their countenance bore the deep impression, and Joseph in the morning, with kind solicitude, could not but enquire into the cause of their depiction. Note, (1.) God has arrows in his quiver, that, without a visible cause, can damp the spirits of the mighty. Could we look into sinners hearts, we should find distresses there, which only themselves know. (2.) It is kind to be solicitous about our neighbour’s happiness, and especially when they appear depicted, to reach out the tender hand of comfort.

2. They relate their dreams, and Joseph interprets them. The butler’s dream is the happy presage of his restoration; the baker’s, of an ignominious death. Note, (1.) Communication of our griefs to godly men, is the ready way to receive solution of our doubts, or comfort in our afflictions. (2.) There are good dreams and evil ones, and both deserve notice. A good dream is a mark of a gracious temper; a bad one can have no good interpretation.

3. Joseph’s modest request to the butler. As he was innocently a prisoner, he wishes for an enlargement, and, without reflecting on his persecution, begs only a remembrance of him, when he should be restored to his lost dignity. Note, (1.) Though we may be content with servitude, yet, if we can be free, we may abide it rather. (2.) In exculpating ourselves, we cannot be too careful to avoid reflecting upon those who have injured us.

4. ¶ And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birth-day, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he I lifted up the head of the chief butler, and of the chief baker among his servants. 21. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. 22. But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forget him.

20—23. Precisely at the time predicted, the interpretation is fulfilled. Pharaoh, on his birth-day, enquires into their faults, and either, according to their defects, the butler is acquitted and restored, the baker condemned and executed; or, if both are guilty, he exercises his sovereignty in pardoning the one, and punishing the other. Who will question the king’s sovereignty? And shall we find fault with God, if he pardons one sinner, whilst he leaves another to deferred judgment? Note, Great events lie often in a small compass of time. Who knoweth whether his life shall continue three days; nay, three hours? His preferment now so engages the butler, that Joseph in his prison is no more thought of. Great men too commonly have the art of forgetting their obligations and their promises; and if Joseph’s heart was buoyed up with the expectation of his doing something for him, the greater must be his disappointment. Note, They who depend on great men, will have frequent cause to lament their neglects; but they who depend only on the great God, shall never be disappointed of their hope.