Gen. 39:22-40:722And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. 1And 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. 2And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 3And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. 5And 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. 6And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. 7And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? (Genesis 39:22‑40:7)
“And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” vv. 22-23.
God was over every event in Joseph’s life and three grand displays of His purposes were to result from his varied experiences. 1) The final exaltation of Joseph himself. 2) The Gentile nations were to be brought into blessing. 3) His brethren were to be restored and nourished, and his father was to end his days in happiness. These three grand themes, centered around Joseph, have a much broader aspect than the immediate story and circumstances of his day.
Meanwhile, Joseph was in prison, but in God’s ordering, and as a result of his faithfulness and abilities, he-received the favor of the prison-keeper. Soon he was given large responsibilities and liberty within the prison walls. This place of trust was to open the door to a new and important episode in his interesting career which would have a most important bearing on his future.
“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. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.” Chap. 40: 1,3. In all Joseph’s behavior before the world he remained simple and humble, even when placed in positions of responsibility. It was perhaps this unpretentious character that commended him to those who saw his quiet and faithful walk. A true child of God should desire the same character of meekness in following the One who was “meek and lowly,” not seeking a place in this world, nor proclaiming his own goodness. We are told to “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Col. 4:5,65Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:5‑6). Is this not a desirable object for the Christian? It will not only make his own way through the world a more happy one, but will bring honor to God through his testimony.
Many were cast into prison in those days because of the whims or grievances of the king, and the fact that the chief butler and the chief baker were put in ward might seem a small thing. Yet both these officials of the court had been close to the king, and now by divine providence their presence there with Joseph was to be used by God as a vital link in the chain of circumstances that was to bring the suffering Israelite out of the foul dungeon and before Pharaoh, and to exalt him to the highest place in Egypt next to the throne.
Joseph was given particular charge over these two men and we may be sure they learned to trust him. They learned too the compassion of their gracious and sympathetic attendant when one morning, each having had a disturbed night, he saw their sad expressions. “And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked... Wherefore look ye so sadly today?” vv. 6,7.
ML 04/09/1967