Genesis 40:14-15  14 “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

When the chief cupbearer and the baker told Joseph they both had dreams and there was no one to interpret them, Joseph’s response was, “Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell me your dreams.”  So they did.

The chief cupbearer told him his dream of a vine with three branches; of grapes forming and him squeezing them into Pharaoh’s cup and putting the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.  Joseph then told him that within three days, Pharaoh would restore him to his position as his personal cupbearer.

The baker heard the favorable interpretation so he shared his dream with Joseph.  Unfortunately for him, Joseph informed him that Pharaoh was going to execute him by hanging him in a tree within three days.  On the third day, things happened exactly as Joseph foretold.

In the middle of this narrative is a real gem that most don’t notice.  The verses for today are where Joseph shares his situation with the cupbearer in a truly righteous appeal for help.  Read the verse again and note the tenor of the words.  The appeal Joseph makes is done without the anger or a desire for revenge that we would typically expect.  Even though at this time Joseph has endured 11 years of slavery and prison, he is simply stating things that are true—and doing it in a way that is acceptable! On top of that he was betrayed by family.  All these years he has been able to righteously carry the wrongs that have been done to him.

What an example for us!  We all have had wrongs done to us.  Joseph demonstrates that it is possible to righteously carry the knowledge of wrongs done in a way that is pleasing to God.