We read in Genesis 40 that two officials from Pharaoh made choices that upset Pharaoh and so they were cast into prison.  Can you say, “God has a plan!”  Yes He does because those two officials ended up in the prison house where Joseph was serving.  Keep in mind that even though Joseph was in prison, he was taking care of and serving the jailer and the prisoners (Genesis 39:22).  We can learn that at times we will be in undesirable situations that we will not want to be a part of but yet God knows what He is doing.  Making decisions in life requires courage and at times some of the decisions made will be very good decisions and then others will be a mistake.  God wanted to make contact with Joseph, so He sends him two visitors who were from Pharaoh's royal court.  

 

Joseph was in prison because of a bad decision his master, Potiphar, made which was a mistake, but it was a path that God was going to use to put Joseph on a spiritual growth plan and form his character.  Keep in mind Jeremiah 29:11 which has become a very popular scripture for many of God's people because it says God has good plans for them.  However, if we keep reading it also says that we need to call out to him and pray to Him and He will hear and answer.  As people we like to hear good news, but there is more, we need to seek God.  Hebrews 4:14-16 says that we can confidently keep our faith firm because we have a High Priest that has suffered everything we have suffered and will suffer, but He never sinned.  Thus, we can come to the throne of grace boldly to receive mercy and grace for the time of testing.  Joseph experienced the favor of God because I truly believe that Joseph not only did what he needed to do in the place where he was, but he was seeking God in his life in his situation.  Joseph found mercy and grace from God before the jailer (please compare Genesis 39:21 and Hebrews 4:16). 

 

The cupbearer had a dream that he was placing the king’s cup in Pharaoh’s hand.  Joseph told him that he would be restored to his post.  Do you see that Joseph, though imprisoned, was using the gift that God had given him – interpretation of dreams!  How many times do people in a bad situation walk away and, thus, stop using their gift.  People complain and retreat to themselves and stop serving, stop ministering, stop having faith, and stop loving.  I understand that things may get difficult and hard to endure, but if you stop serving with your gifts, then you delay the process of what God is doing in your life and that is to make you the person He needs you to be for His greater purpose. Hold on - God has a plan!  I believe that God knew the cupbearer’s heart and that he was repented at disobeying and dishonoring his authority.  I believe that in his heart, he wanted to serve and do it well for his master.  Is your heart right before God? 

 

The baker also had a dream and seeing that the interpretation for the cupbearer was very good he took hope in sharing his dream.  However, Joseph did tell him that judgment was coming and he would die at Pharaoh’s command.  After three days, this is exactly what happened.  The baker was used as a public example of not to cross Pharaoh and thus was hanged.  Why?  I believe that the baker in his heart had the wrong motives.  The Bible does not tell us, but in my opinion, I think the baker had motives that perhaps made him talk bad about his authority, and was someone who did not follow through with the way things should be done.  In the end, what is in people’s heart will manifest and people will see the anger, the bitterness, the envy, and the arrogance they carry inside.  When this happens, you are left without the protection of God. What is the right thing to do?  The correct thing to do is to serve as we have been instructed by our authority.  

 

Have you noticed that I have mentioned authority?  I have mentioned authority because the good plans that God has for our lives are connected when we are loyal and honorable to our authority.  It does not mean you may understand or agree with those over you, but it means you are faithful to your service and to the person who has command over you.  Remember that the dreams were fulfilled because Pharaoh celebrated his birthday after three days and brought out the cupbearer and the baker from prison.  Everything is in the timing of God and He has a plan.  No matter what, the cupbearer and the baker needed to have some character building sessions along with a does of humility that it was necessary for them to spend three days in prison.  One had his service close to his heart while the other had it in his head.  Be careful that your position does not go to your head because those in authority over you may require your head if they become upset with your insubordination and disobedience.  God has a plan (see Proverbs 19:12).

 

Joseph had instructed the cupbearer that when he got out of prison to make mention of him to Pharaoh and find a way to get him out of prison.  Joseph saw it as an opportunity to break free from his situation, and I believe anyone of us would have done the same, but you and I serve on God’s time and not on our quick-fix clock.  The cupbearer, when he got out of prison and restored to his post, forgot about Joseph altogether.  He did not remember Joseph at all.  Why would God do that to him?  Hold on – God has a plan!  To God, Joseph was doing very good where he was because though he was serving in the prison and he was serving delinquents, God made everything he did to prosper. That's why it is important to keep going in the midst of a storm. Things will work out for good because you love God to stick with it.  God knew that Joseph needed more time to form character and humility and give him wisdom and understanding for the time that he would become the second most important man in Egypt after Pharaoh.  God needed a seasoned man in the royal service of Pharaoh for the two seasons that were about to come upon Egypt.  How much more?  The next chapter in Genesis 41 says that after two years Pharaoh had a dream. 

 

Joseph stayed in prison for two more years.  Wow!  Is that fair?  But those two years were needed for the final lessons Joseph needed in order to take care of business for the big plan God was beginning to set into motion not only over Egypt but over all the known world at that time.  Many of God’s great men and women did not start out at the top.  Many were put through painful, difficult, and dry seasons in life, but they kept their eye of the vision God had given them.  They kept serving when they were going through the desert or through the storm.  Remember the healing of the blind man who is said to have been born blind?  Jesus’ disciples asked if it was due to his parents sins or the man’s sins.  Jesus said neither but for the glory of God to manifest itself over the miracle.  The woman with the issue of blood who believed in her miracle we are told took 12 years going from doctor to doctor and her condition had only worsened.  Lazarus was dead four days before Jesus arrived to resurrect him.  Jesus taught the people from Peter’s boat before He told him to cast off into the deep for a great catch and then told Peter He would make him a fisherman of men.  Saul was blind for three days before Ananias showed up to pray for him.  Have you been waiting?  Is it fair? Hold on - God has a plan!  Don't end it prematurely through your impatience and disobedience!

 

I know our human inclination is to ask God how much longer, but I believe our response should be: “Lord – I will wait on your time.  When you are ready to move on with me, I will be waiting.  Your plan is the best, so position me in it and give me the right mindset to serve with my heart and to do it loyally and honorably, to give you my best where I am at -  I love You Lord!”

 

For a much better life - it is time to change.