Genesis 40:23 – 41:1a The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:
Change is a fact of life going on around us. Much of the change might affect us directly, i.e., having lost a job or having hours reduced due to the economy. For others it’s more of an awareness of ‘storm clouds’ on the horizon that appear to be headed our way. Life is filled with all kinds of uncertainties and concerns we get to deal with.
Joseph sure had his share. When he went to bed at night, I wonder how many times he questioned if his situation would ever change. Would he ever get out of prison? Would he ever see his father again? Would he ever marry and have children? Would he ever see his home again? What was God doing with him? So many things that affected him were beyond his control.
One of the important things for us to recognize in his situation is that God was both working in him and in the bigger situation that he found himself in. ‘Stuff’ was going on that he knew nothing about. The timetable that God was working on involved Joseph, but it also involved a much bigger picture of people and events. When things were in place, pharaoh had a dream. Isn’t it interesting that one of the two individuals who had been in prison with Joseph was the cupbearer – who just happened to be with Pharaoh when this dream happened?! Isn’t it interesting that the cupbearer too had experienced a dream with Joseph and had been witness to his interpretation being fulfilled?!
Isn’t it interesting that none of Pharaoh’s wise men or magicians could interpret the dream – thus setting the stage for the cupbearer’s memory of Joseph to be turned back on. In the meantime, Joseph was just faithfully performing the duties assigned to him in prison. He probably had no idea how God was involved in the orchestration of events until after the events unfolded and he looked back in amazement!
This is such an important example for us to recognize and embrace. God is at work in our lives and in the circumstances around us to bring about His plan and purposes. We are not alone. We are not left to ourselves. Many times the issue of timing is vital. Things don’t happen because they are dependent upon other things – possibly beyond our control – happening first.
Our faith response to God is greatly assisted by being still and resting in the Lord; waiting for Him and patiently leaning ourselves upon Him. (Psalm 37:7a Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him,) He enables us to see Him in the midst of the storm clouds and the troubling circumstances that surround us. May we too be ready when His opportunities for us arrive.
