Gen 40:6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.
By earthly standards, Joseph has every right to be consumed with anger and bitterness. As I mentioned yesterday, the string of events that happened to him—sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by his master’s wife, imprisoned for those false accusations—were not a result of anything he did or failed to do, and they were horribly unfair. I’ve been angry and bitter over much less, and that realization brings me great pain.
Gen 40:7 So he asked Pharaoh‘s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
We’ve all been there before, stewing in our anger and misery. If Joseph had acted that way, I doubt he would have been put in a position to attend to others. He would not have asked what was wrong with the cupbearer and baker. He probably won’t have even noticed they seemed sad. He would have missed all God was lining up for him. He would have missed the opportunities God was preparing.
Gen 40:8a “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the example you have given us in Joseph. Lord, I am guilty of giving in to anger and bitterness, of stewing in my misery. Help me to lift my eyes and my heart past my own mess and to keep both firmly focused on You. Give me the strength and presence of mind to care for Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 40:8b Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
Have a blessed day.