Genesis 40

There is so much suffering in this world. It is not only about Joseph and his brothers. There are so many other stories, many that we barely know.

Our lives draw near to the trials of other people by the Lord's design. If we listen, we can hear the oppression, the bondage, and the misfortune that others have faced. It is rare when we have any useful words to speak on such occasions.

But Joseph had something very important to say to two other prisoners that was not something that he discovered through reasoning or experience. He had a word that came to him from the revelation of God touching upon two troubled lives. The men with him in Pharaoh's prison were not Hebrews. They were servants of the Egyptian king, two members of his executive staff. To be the cupbearer or baker to Pharaoh was to be in a position of important trust near the ear of a very powerful man. Both men had fallen out of favor so badly that they were in prison with Joseph. And both men had dreams that they could not understand.

When Joseph heard these dreams, he was confident that the Lord could reveal the correct interpretations. He said, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”

So the two men told their dreams to Joseph, and Joseph interpreted their dreams by the truth that came to him from the Lord. One man would live, and the other would die. One would be restored to his post of honor. The other would meet a final disgrace.

It is an amazing gift to know the secrets that only God can tell. Joseph does not steal secrets from spiritual realms through the power of his own magic. This man who had been brought low by God was given the true word from heaven regarding the dreams of these two men.

To receive an accurate word like this from the Lord's servant was a great gift to the cupbearer, the man who would live. The worth of the gift would be confirmed by the accuracy of the events that had been predicted. When the baker was gone and the cupbearer was at Pharaoh's side again, the greatness of the word would be proven. What should the cupbearer give Joseph in return for this wonderful interpretation?

Joseph only asked one thing: “Remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.” He had faith in the word that God had given, and so he asked for favor from the cupbearer. He knew that this man was going to be next to Pharaoh in honor. So he said, “Remember me.”

Of course the man did not remember him, at least not right away. When he was lifted up again, he found it convenient to forget about the man who was back in prison. That is how the chapter ends: “The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”

Joseph, who had been sold out of the land of the Hebrews, and who had done nothing wrong with his master's wife but still ended up in prison, this Joseph was still in the right place. His deliverance did not come yet. The time for that would be soon enough. It was too early for deliverance. Pharaoh had not yet had his own dreams that would require a word from heaven.

For now, Joseph would stay in the pit, but not forever.

Forever is a long time to be stuck in a pit. To sin against our eternal and holy God... What can anyone say about that? If we ended up in a pit for eternity because of our rebellion against the Lord of glory, that would not be unjust. But is there a way out of that pit? Is there some way that the pit of divine retribution would not be forever? That would have to involve some great mercy of God.

Consider the thief on the cross who died next to Jesus. What did he deserve for his sin? He knew that Jesus did not deserve the cross, and he believed that Jesus was the king of an eternal kingdom. So as he was about to die, and as Jesus was near the end of his own life, this thief on a cross made a fervent request of the Lord. He said, “Remember me.” He could not claim innocence. He could only appeal for mercy.

But when Jesus was exalted on high at the right hand of the Father, would He forget that wretched dying thief who had asked Him to remember him? Would He become comfortable in His restored position of honor? Jesus had promised, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.” But would He remember?

Our great King has not forgotten His promises. He came to suffer and die for us. His assurance to us is without condition. “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” He has gone to prepare a place for us, that where He is, we also may be.

Jesus has not forgotten us. Our names are written on the palms of His hands. His assurance is a great comfort to us as we watch a loved one pass from this world: He says, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself.” When we die, the Lord Jesus remembers. He comes and takes us to Himself.