Genesis 41:1-41

I.               Pharoah’s dreams (Genesis 41:1-8)

a.      Genesis 41:1 - And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

§        Two years after the successful interpretation of the cup-bearer’s dream, more character building for Joseph, demonstrates the patience required when waiting upon the Lord.

o       Luke 21:19 – In your patience posses ye your souls.

o       Lamentations 3:26 – It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

o       Psalm 105:19 - Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

o       Habakkuk 2:3 - For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

b.      Genesis 41:2 – And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.

c.      Genesis 41:3 – And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the [other] kine upon the brink of the river.

d.      Genesis 41:4 – And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

§        The end of dream one

§        Obviously unnatural, cows do not eat cows

e.      Genesis 41:5 – And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

f.       Genesis 41:6 – And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.

g.      Genesis 41:7 – And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

§        Again, obviously unnatural, cornstalks do not devour other cornstalks

§        Isaiah 55:9 – For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

o       We do not understand the ways of God

o       Was this entre scenario devised by God to elevate Joseph? Or

o       Was it to save Israel?

o       God could have saved Israel through a variety of ways including avoiding the famine.  Why this particular method? refer back to Isaiah 55:9...

h.      Genesis 41:8 – And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

§        Proverbs 21:1 – The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

§        1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

§        Daniel 2:27 – Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

§        Daniel 4:7 – Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

§        Daniel 5:8 – Then came in all the king's wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

§        Proverbs 25:2 - [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.

II.            The cup-bearer remembers and recommends (Genesis 41:9-13) 

a.      Genesis 41:9 – Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:

§        The butler recommended Joseph to Pharaoh to gain the favor of Pharaoh, not to honor his promise to Joseph.

§        God’s timing is perfect, had he been released earlier there would have been no purpose for him to serve and would have possibly been sent back to his father.

b.      Genesis 41:10 – Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, [both] me and the chief baker:

c.      Genesis 41:11 – And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

d.      Genesis 41:12 – And [there was] there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

III.             Joseph interprets dreams and counsels Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14-36)

a.      Genesis 41:13 – And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.

b.      Genesis 41:14 – Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

§        Third time his raiment is removed, this time it is restored with new raiment.  The others, he was stripped (his brothers and Potiphar’s wife)

§        Could have been an intimidating experience

c.      Genesis 41:15 – And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.

§        When we are serving the Lord others take note.  God blesses those who serve Him.

§        When we serve the Lord uncompromisingly we develop a reputation of integrity and reliability that others will turn to in times of trouble

o       Here is Pharaoh, king of all Egypt, seemingly grasping at straws in desperation to find someone to assuage his torment.  On the word of his butler, he brings a lowly slave, a prisoner no less to hear his dreams.

o       God prepared Joseph to stand before Pharaoh

a.      Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

d.      Genesis 41:16 – And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

§        John 8:28 – Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

§        John 12:49- For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

§        John 17:8 – For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

§        Revelation 1:1 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:

§        Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

o       Joseph acknowledges that the power to interpret dreams is not his own, but God’s

e.      Genesis 41:17 – And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:

§        Refer to v.1

f.       Genesis 41:18 – And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

g.      Genesis 41:19 - And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:

h.      Genesis 41:20 – And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:

i.       Genesis 41:21 – And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they [were] still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

j.       Genesis 41:22 – And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:

k.      Genesis 41:23 – And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, [and] blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

§        The “east wind”:

o       The prevailing winds in Egypt are north to south, the east wind mentioned here was considered to be evil, a westerly wind was considered good.

l.       Genesis 41:24 – And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told [this] unto the magicians; but [there was] none that could declare [it] to me.

§        Or declare it to the Pharaoh’s satisfaction; God likely had given Pharaoh discernment to know a genuine interpretation from a false interpretation so that he could recognize that Joseph’s interpretation was accurate.

m.    Genesis 41:25 – And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do.

§        Here we see the double witness, two dreams attest to the same events

o       Hebrews 6:17-18 – Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

§        The number two signifies either division or a double witness.

n.      Genesis 41:26 – The seven good kine [are] seven years; and the seven good ears [are] seven years: the dream [is] one.

§        Unless God reveals the meaning, symbols are useless, who would associate cattle or ears of corn with years? 

§        God doesn’t reveal his secrets to those who have attained merit, but those He has chosen to accomplish His purposes.

§        Once the meaning is revealed it often seems so simple and we ask ourselves “how did I not see that?”

§        Sometimes things happen in our own lives that we don’t understand, but when we look back we can see God’s hand involved

o.      Genesis 41:27 – And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them [are] seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

p.      Genesis 41:28 – This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

§        Colossians 2:2-3 – That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

§        Isaiah 28:29 – This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, [which] is wonderful in counsel, [and] excellent in working. 

q.      Genesis 41:29 – Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:

r.       Genesis 41:30 – And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

§        Ecclesiastes 7:14 - In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him

§        How often do we hear stories where someone won the lottery and they ended up having less than they did before?  This seems illogical when we here it, but there is a certain discipline that is required to remain prosperous.  Squandering what we have been given, rather than being prudent can allow our poverty to erase the memory of our prosperity.

§        This principle can be applied both spiritually and physically.

o       God gives us a passion to study his Word, if we fail to be disciplined and honor God by diligently studying in this time of “spiritual fatness” we will lack the foundation of His Word when we encounter “spiritual famine”.

o       We need to allow the Holy Spirit to bring balance into our lives

s.      Genesis 41:31 – And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it [shall be] very grievous.

§        John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

§        Egypt does not receive a lot of precipitation, but their dependence is on the Nile river.  Depending on how high the river would overflow in the springtime would determine how plentiful the year would be.

o       The Nile runs north, an east wind would be perpendicular to the Nile and may effect the flow of the tributaries into the Nile

t.       Genesis 41:32 – And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; [it is] because the thing [is] established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

§        We see here that Joseph confirms the principle of a double witness.

u.      Genesis 41:33 – Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

§        Proverbs 6:6-8 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.

§        Notice how Joseph transitions from interpreting the dream to providing counsel to Pharaoh, without being asked and Pharaoh is listening!  Talk about seizing an opportunity, Joseph demonstrates that not only is he gifted in wisdom, but gifted in the interpretation of social settings, when he should provide opinion and when he should remain silent.

v.      Genesis 41:34 – Let Pharaoh do [this], and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.

§        Why a 5^th? If they are only going to store 1/5 that means they are using 4/5 each year.  After 7 years the stockpiles would only be enough grain for a little less than 2 years, when they need provision for 7.

w.    Genesis 41:35 – And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

§        “Let them keep food in the cities” seems to put some responsibility back onto the Egyptians.

x.      Genesis 41:36 – And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

IV.          Pharoah promotes Joseph (Genesis 41:37-45)

a.      Genesis 41:37 - And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

b.      Genesis 41:38 – And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?

§        Matthew 7:28-29 – And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.

§        Matthew 13:54 – And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

§        John 7:46 – The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.      

c.      Genesis 41:39 – And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]:

d.      Genesis 41:40 – Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

§        Psalm 37:11 – But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

§        1 Peter 3:22 – Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

e.      Genesis 41:41 – And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

§        Hebrews 2:9 – But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Genesis 40

I.                 Joseph as prison overseer (Genesis 40:1-4)

a.      Genesis 40:1 – 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.

§        Butler – שקה shaqah, verb, to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water à cup bearer

§        Baker – אפה 'aphah, verb, to bake

§        Offended – חטא chata', verb, to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness

b.      Genesis 40:2 – And Pharaoh was wroth against two [of] his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

§        It is difficult to speculate as to the why Pharaoh imprisoned his officers because as Pharaoh, a de facto dictator, he could basically imprison anyone for anything.  Some have surmised that due to the seriousness of the punishment there was an attempt made on Pharaoh’s life and they were sent to prison pending an investigation.

o       Ultimately they were sent to prison to fulfill the purpose that God had determined for them, unknowingly assisting Joseph.

o       The offense that sent these two officers to prison is not important to the understanding of the story and therefore was left out.

§        Luke 23:32-33 - And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

o       This passage of Joseph in prison with the two prominent prisoners appears to have some parallels to Jesus’ experience on the cross between the two thieves.

o       Isaiah 53:12 -  Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

-       Like Jesus, Joseph was numbered with the transgressors.

-       We see Joseph also made intercession later in this chapter by interpreting their dreams

c.      Genesis 40:3 – And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph [was] bound.

d.      Genesis 40:4 – And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

§        Who was the captain of the guard?

o       Genesis 39:1 – And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

o       Unless Potiphar wasdead, promoted, fired or retired he was the captain of the guard and he, Potiphar himself placed these two high ranking officials under the care of Joseph. 

-       There is no indication that the captain of the guard was anyone other than Potiphar.

o       It seems as though Joseph has been restored to a position of trust with Potiphar

-       Compare Potipphar to Pontius Pilate?

-       Luke 23:4 - Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the people, I find no fault in this man.

                                                                                                                i.     Could it be that like Pontius Pilate who could find no fault in Jesus, Potiphar found no fault in Joseph, but for the same reason that Pontius Pilate could not release Jesus (that being political pressure from the Jews) Potiphar could not release Joseph (releasing Joseph it would acknowledge that his wife was adulterous and  made advances on Joseph, a tremendous embarrassment for his household)

§        “a season” - יום yowm, masculine noun, day, time, year

o       Jasher 46:5 – And the captain of the guard placed Joseph as an attendant on Pharaoh’s officers, and Pharoah’s officers were in confinement one year.

II.               Joseph hears the dreams of the cupbearer (Genesis 40:5-11)

a.      Genesis 40:5 – And 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.

§        “According to the interpretation” – each dream had its own meaning

§        Another example of certain dreams coming from God as a sign, these dreams were given to the cup bearer and the baker for the purpose of elevating Joseph.

§        Such a trivial thing as a dream can be used to accomplish amazing miracles, how important it was for these two to have their dreams and to communicate them to Joseph.  God works through both the righteous and unrighteous.

b.      Genesis 40:6 – And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they [were] sad.

§        Remember Joseph is a prisoner too, yet rather than focusing on his own problems he takes the time to notice that those under his care are sad.

c.      Genesis 40:7 – And 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?

§        How often do we look at others, see their sadness and continue without saying a word?  Joseph shows his concern for his fellow man by inquiring of them the reason for their sadness.

o       Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

o       Joseph demonstrates his obedience to both of these commandments, the first is demonstrated in chapter 39 and the second here.

§        If Joseph did not inquire as to the reason for their sadness, would they ever have confided in him to tell him of their dreams?

§        How often are we missing out on a word or an experience that God wants us to hear, simply because we don’t ask, we don’t talk, we don’t engage people?

o       This is harder for some than others

d.      Genesis 40:8 – And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

§        Not sad because they are in prison

§        Not sad because of the dream

§        Sad because they don’t know the meaning of the dream

o       How many dreams do we have, strange dreams that we never understand the meaning?  Are we sad about that?  Should we be sad about that?

§        “Do not interpretations belong to God?”  We have many examples where God communicates to humans through dreams both in the Old and New Testements.

o       Genesis 20:3 – But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she [is] a man's wife.

-       God gave Abimelech himself the interpretation

o       Genesis 31:11-12 – And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, [saying], Jacob: And I said, Here [am] I.  And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle [are] ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

o       Genesis 31:24 – And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

o       Numbers 12:6 – And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

o       Judges 7:13-15 - And when Gideon was come, behold, [there was] a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.  And his fellow answered and said, This [is] nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: [for] into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.  And it was [so], when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

o       1 Kings 3:5 – In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

o       Jeremiah 23:28-29 – The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.  [Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?

o       Daniel 1:17 - As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

o       Joel 2:28 – And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

o       Matthew 1:20 – But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

o       Matthew 2:13 – And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

o       Matthew 2:19 – But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

o       Matthew 27:19 - When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

§        Most dreams are likely not revelations from God and therefore we must be discerning when considering dreams.

o       Ecclesiastes 5:3 – For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of words.

-       Dreams usually (but not always) come because of our business in life and not necessarily from God.

o       Ecclesiastes 5:7 - For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God.

§        Being officers of Pharaoh, they would have had access to the soothsayers who provide false interpretations of dreams.  Here they have access to one who interprets through the power of the Holy Spirit, and they long for the imposters.  There are also passages that warn us of false prophets who use dreams as a means of deception:

o       Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

o       Jeremiah 23:25-27 - I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall [this] be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, [they are] prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.

e.      Genesis 40:9 – And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine [was] before me;

f.       Genesis 40:10 – And in the vine [were] three branches: and it [was] as though it budded, [and] her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

§        Notice how God used things that were familiar to the cup-bearer in his dream and we will see the same with the baker.  This shows that God speaks to us in a way that we can understand using things in our lives that we are accustomed to in order to tell us something important.

§        John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

g.      Genesis 40:11 – And Pharaoh's cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.

III.             Joseph interprets the dream of the cup-bearer (Genesis 40:12-15)

a.      Genesis 40:12 – And Joseph said unto him, This [is] the interpretation of it: The three branches [are] three days:

b.      Genesis 40:13 – Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.

§        Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

o       Joseph tells the cup bearer that in three days he shall be restored to his place, likewise Christ tells the repentant thief that today he will be in paradise.

c.      Genesis 40:14 – But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

§        Luke 23:42 - And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

o       We have a reversal of roles, here Joseph asks the servant to remember him when he is restored to the palace.  Contrast this to the repentant thief asking Christ to remember him when He enters His kingdom.

o       The cup-bearer forgot his promise, but Christ did not forget His promise

d.      Genesis 40:15 – For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.

§        Was Joseph right in asking this of the cup-bearer?

o       Does it show a lack of faith or resourcefulness?

o       Recall that Joseph was already given his destiny in the dreams he relayed to his family

§        Once again Joseph does not blame anyone for his tribulation by name

o       He did not mention his brothers who sold him

o       He did not mention Potiphar’s wife who gave false testimony

IV.             Joseph hears and interprets the dream of the baker (Genesis 40:16-19)

a.      Genesis 40:16 – When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also [was] in my dream, and, behold, [I had] three white baskets on my head:

§        The baker was enthusiastic to tell Joseph his dream, sometimes its better not to know.

b.      Genesis 40:17 – And in the uppermost basket [there was] of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

c.      Genesis 40:18 – And Joseph answered and said, This [is] the interpretation thereof: The three baskets [are] three days:

d.      Genesis 40:19 – Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

§        Luke 23:39- And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

o       The thief on the left had no faith and was not rewarded as the thief on the right

§        Joseph is no respecter of man he tells the bad interpretation the same as the good interpretation.

o       What kind of lessons can we learn from Joseph here?

o       Its always difficult to tell someone bad news, but Joseph delivers the message, just like a prophet of God.

V.              Joseph’s interpretations come to pass (Genesis 40:20-23)

a.      Genesis 40:20 – And it came to pass the third day, [which was] Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

§        The baker probably did not enjoy those last three days of his life as much as if he did not know the interpretation of his dream.

b.      Genesis 40:21 – And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

c.      Genesis 40:22 – But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

§        Even though we know that interpretations come from God, He gave Joseph the gift of interpretation and here we see that Joseph had interpreted as the instrument of God.

d.      Genesis 40:23 – Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

§        Psalm 118:9 - [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

o       We cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary

§        Amos 6:6 - That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

o      The story of Joseph is alluded to for the purpose pronouncing judgment on His enemies 

In summary, Genesis Chapter 40 seems to be  a “type” of the crucifixion.  Picking up from chapter 39, Joseph is innocent yet is judged by Potiphar and sent to prison.  Christ is innocent, judged by Pontius Pilot and sent to the Cross.  Jesus, while on the Cross, encounters two thieves sentenced to the same punishment as Him.  Joseph encounters two prisoners who are sentenced to the same punishment as himself.  The thief on the right, repents of his wickedness, Jesus tells him that today he will be with Him in paradise.  The cup-bearer tells Joseph his dream who tells him that he will be restored to his place in Pharaoh’s palace.  The thief on the left does not repent and and for all we know dies in his sin.  The baker tells Joseph his dream who tells him that he is condemned to be executed.  Joseph asks the cup-bearer to remember him when he is in the presence of Pharaoh.  In a reversal of roles the thief asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom.  The cup-bearer, representing man, forgets Joseph.  Jesus does not forget those in his care.