Hope Is On The Way
Pastor Ryan Hurd
Part of Joseph—Understanding God's Purpose
July 24, 2022

Providence on Display

After this, the king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guards in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guards assigned Joseph to them as their personal attendant, and they were in custody for some time. —Genesis 40:1–4 CSB

This is significant, because had Joseph not been falsely accused and thrown into prison, he might have spent his whole life slaving away for Potiphar.

God is using the setbacks of Joseph’s life to set him up for an encounter with two men with ties to the very top of the Egyptian government.

Tale of Two Dreamers

The king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked distraught. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” —Genesis 40:5–7 CSB

By chance — or divine appointment — both men have a dream on the same night.

In the morning, as Jospeh makes his rounds on the prisoners, he notices that the two men look distraught.

Once again, Joseph provides us with an incredible example of how we ought to endure suffering and trials — with our eyes wide open.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. —2 Corinthians 1:3–5 CSB

Don’t allow your circumstances to keep you from leading people to discover more in Christ.

“We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” —Genesis 40:8 CSB

I love Joseph’s response because it reveals the extraordinary faith he has in God: “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: “In my dream there was a vine in front of me. On the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” “This is its interpretation,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand the way you used to when you were his cupbearer. —Genesis 40:9–13 CSB

Joseph interprets the man’s dream and assures him that in just three days Pharaoh will lift him and restore him to his position as chief cupbearer.

» As Joseph interprets the man’s dream, he notices an opportunity and seizes it…

Joseph Pleads His Case

But when all goes well for you, remember that I was with you. Please show kindness to me by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison. For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing that they should put me in the dungeon.” —Genesis 40:14–15 CSB

Here, in these two short verses, we finally get a glimpse of Joseph’s humanity.

It’s easy to read Joseph’s story and assume he’s a bit of a fatalist. He just seems to accept the hand that was dealt to him and roll with the punches.

Now, as the curtain is pulled back a bit, we see Joseph pleading his case and advocating for his freedom.

There has to come a point in our walk with Christ when we put feet to our faith. Where it becomes more than mere words and lyrics, but results in steadfast obedience.

Joseph’s faith never seems to waver, but he refuses to pass up a God ordained opportunity to plead his case.

A Dream Gone Wrong

When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was positive, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. Three baskets of white bread were on my head. In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” “This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days. In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from off you—and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh from your body.” —Genesis 40:16–19 CSB

In a rather graphic depiction, Joseph tells the baker that, like the cupbearer, Pharaoh will lift up his head too, but this time, he will lift it from off you and hang you on a tree.

Hope Is On The Way

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he gave a feast for all his servants. He elevated the chief cupbearer and the chief baker among his servants. Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position as cupbearer, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had explained to them. —Genesis 40:20–22 CSB

Joseph might be in prison, but God is still with him, leading and guiding him, causing everything he does to be successful — including interpreting the dreams of these two men.

Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. —Genesis 40:23 CSB

This account comes to a screeching halt.

God… I’ve done everything right. Everything you said. I’ve been faithful. I’ve stayed the course. How could this happen again!?

Can you remain faithful even when it seems like it’s not working?

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. —Romans 5:3–5 NIV

HOPE IS ON THE WAY! Don’t give up now.

God is right now using your present sufferings to produce perseverance and character in your life, which results in HOPE.