Study From the Book of Genesis,40

Today we study chapter 40 of the Book of Geneses. There are many biblical principles and lessons in this chapter. But I choose the most useful one in the Biblical Counselling.

The butler and the baker of the king were important offices in the royal court. They offended Pharaoh for reasons not clearly explained, but presumably they had been put in “the house” (implies that it was a type of house arrest for a wider investigation) of trying to kill Pharaoh by poisoning his food and drink.

As a trustee of the prison, Joseph also served the high officials who were under house arrest awaiting the disposition of the charges against them. The butler and the baker had dreams. The dreams were not ordinary dreams. They contained symbols that demanded explanation.

Joseph came to see the butler and baker because it was part of his duties as the prison trustee. He noticed that they were in trouble because of the dreams. So, he asked the butler first about his dream and Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream. Joseph’s words to the butler, “lift up your head,” spoke of the restoration of the butler to his former honour. Joseph then asked the butler to remember him to Pharaoh so that his case might be reviewed and might be delivered from the false imprisonment.

Joseph had two good reasons for seeking his release: being sold by his brothers into slavery and being framed by Potiphar’s wife. In both cases he was an innocent victim. Presumably the butler would recognise the unfairness of Joseph’s condition, since he himself had been unfairly charged and badly treated as well.

On the other hand, the baker’s sense of guilt had held him back, but now he sensed that the time was right to announce his own dream. Both of these men respected Joseph’s interpretations as true. Like the butler’s, the baker’s dream used “number three”. The interpretation of the baker’s dream was bad news indeed. In three days, the baker would be executed. Clearly there was no point for Joseph to ask to be remembered by the baker.

Only here do we learn that the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday. The play of words comes to its culmination here in “he lifted the head.” Pharaoh brought both of the prisoners from their house arrest for all the other servants to see. The guilty party was executed; the other was given back his prestigious position. Pharaoh would reward those who served him well, but would destroy anyone who meant him harm.

However, the butler did not remember his promise made to Joseph. The euphoria of his release and the restoration took his mind away from his distressing days under arrest. Soon the sheer business of his life precluded any action on behalf of Joseph. So, Joseph stayed in prison. And God was still with him.

 Structure

Verses 1-23: the prisoners’ dreams.

Principle 67: verse 40:8- ----"---So Joseph said to them,’ Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them (the dreams) to me, please’.”

Lesson 67: Joseph statement was a bold testimony. Joseph not only announced his faith, but also acted upon it. 21/06/2026