In Genesis 40, Joseph, who prospers in an Egyptian prison despite being wrongfully accused, interprets dreams for Pharaoh's chief butler and baker, predicting the butler's restoration to his position and the baker's death, both of which come true. Despite Joseph's accurate interpretations, the butler forgets to advocate for Joseph's release after being restored to his role.
Shawn discusses the story of Joseph in the King’s prison, emphasizing that despite coming from slavery, Joseph was trusted with interpreting dreams for the Pharaoh’s officers, highlighting his connection with God as the sole source of true dream interpretation. Additionally, when the chief butler shares his dream with Joseph, the narrative reinforces the symbolic representation in scripture, where the branches in the dream symbolize days, illustrating the interpretative process.
Believers should embrace a balanced interpretative approach to Scripture, acknowledging that some elements, like Joseph's interpretation of dreams using symbolic representations of time, may be figurative, while others may be literal. Central to living in faith is prioritizing the well-being of others, remaining humble, and not indulging in worldly desires, which aligns with biblical teachings of serving and walking with YAHAVAH.
Birthday celebrations for adults, as highlighted by the stories of Pharaoh and Herod in the Bible, emphasize self-indulgence and self-centeredness, contrasting with the Bible's teachings against such focus on personal fleshly accomplishments rather than honoring God or appreciating others. Shawn suggests that the only birth truly worthy of celebration is that of Christ, inviting believers to redirect their focus from self to praising Him and showing gratitude to parents or others in their lives.
Joseph, despite facing betrayal and suffering, is portrayed as a trusted interpreter of dreams, distinguishing himself by declaring that God provides the wisdom needed for such understanding. Pharaoh's dream of the Nile, cattle, and corn symbolizes forthcoming famine as interpreted by Joseph, emphasizing that calamities like droughts are often linked to the destructive east wind in biblical texts.
Shawn emphasizes the importance of seeking dream interpretation and insights from those who have a true understanding and connection with God, as only they can provide interpretations that align with God's will and knowledge, unlike many worldly sources which might offer knowledge but lack eternal truth. Joseph's interaction with Pharaoh demonstrates this principle, as he attributes the ability to interpret dreams to God, offering peace instead of the confusion left by Pharaoh's magicians and wise men.
Pharaoh's dreams, as interpreted by Joseph, reveal that the abundance or scarcity of resources in Egypt, specifically linked to the Nile's rising and receding, is under the control of YAHAVAH, who dictates periods of plenty and famine. These dreams foretell seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine, illustrating the divine plan for natural events.
- Joseph's Time in Prison
Joseph's Time in Prison
WELCOME PRAYER SONG SILENCE
So, we left off with Joseph dodging Potipher's wife and being cast wrongly into a round prison where he prospers among the king's prisoners. Let’s read all of chapter 40 which continues the story.
The Story Continues
Genesis 40.1- July 30th 2023
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. 2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 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. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. 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. 6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. 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 today? 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. 9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 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: 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. 12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: 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. 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: 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. 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: 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. 18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: 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. 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. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.
Background Information
Alright, back to verse 1
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.
The words for butler are the same in Arabic and Persian and signify a “cup-bearer.” The Hebrew for the Baker could mean any sort of cook or confectioner or chef.
Possible Offenses
It is believed that both had, in some way or another, offended their “lord the king of Egypt. Some suggest that it was by poor execution of their jobs that they landed in prison and if the Pharaoh was super particular this could have been true.
Others think that both of them had tried to poison him through their
The Story of Joseph's Imprisonment and Dream Interpretations
Edible offerings and that is what landed them in jail.
2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
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.
This was a special prison – one not for the common folk. Instead, it was almost like a jail that was placed on the palace grounds and was used for those employed in the things of the King. A Kings prison. It is believed that Joseph, while in that place, had the liberty to roam about and was not cast into a dark dingy hole in chains like the theatrical play depicts.
However, all the officers in the employment of the ancient kings of Egypt were, according to Diodorus Siculus, came from the most illustrious families of the priesthood in the country as no slave or common person being ever permitted to serve in the presence of the king. Because they were traditionally from the most noble families, it is natural to expect they would be put, when accused, into the King’s prison. Joseph seems to be the exception to this as he did come from slavery.
Joseph's Role in Prison
Verse 4
4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
The Hebrew for the length of this internment literally means, “number of days” but some suggest it was a year at least. So, the set is set.
Verse 5
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.
Where it says, “each man according to the interpretation of his dream” this means that they were respective dreams and not related to each other and that their interpretation would prove this.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. It seems both of them had already concluded that their dreams were telling them something important and perhaps their sadness was due to the fact that they could really decide on what they meant.
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?” In other words, Joseph said, “wazzup brother men?” For you serious folks that was a joke.
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.”
Dream Interpretation by Joseph
Now, in Egypt there were plenty of people who claimed to be able to interpret dreams walking about so it seems that their sorrow was that they had no access to any of them and remained ignorant of their meaning. When Joseph says, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” it seems to mean that God alone, the Supreme Being and knower of all things past, present and future is the only reliable source of dream interpretation… but what is interesting is Joseph then steps right in ostensibly as a representative of the Living God and asks for them to tell HIM the dreams. The implication is direct – “I know the True God who interprets dreams perfectly – ask me and He will reveal them to you.”
9 And the chief butler (remember, cupbearer) told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 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: 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.”
From this many suggest that the wine mentioned here was pure grape juice without time for fermentation. Some use this to show that the wine of the Bible was only grape juice which is an absurdity.
12 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
And what we discover here or see reflected is the idea of REPRESENTATION in scripture as Joseph says, “three branches ARE three days.”
Distinguishing Literal and Figurative Interpretations
DAYS – three days are three days, the branches are representative – plus they came in the form of a dream! Too often believers today miss the Hebrew way of seeing the world. And if you are a staunch literalist you would have to see the three branches AS literally, three days.
And from here, six days in the creation must be six 24 hour periods ONLY, and the flood that covered the earth MUST be the whole earth, and a thousand years MUST be 365,000 days on the nose, and the New Heaven and the New Earth MUST be physically new in every way, and all things becoming NEW to a believer must include their dental work, wardrobe and.
But with time, and exercise of the scripture in our minds, we start to see that some things must be taken figuratively and other things materially, but ONE SINGLE view will lead to an interpretational MESS.
Biblical Interpretation
How to tell the difference? What Joseph says, “Do not interpretations belong to God? So, Joseph says, “The three branches are three days:” (verse 13)
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.
(And Joseph adds)
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:
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.
So, he explains his innocence in every way to the cupbearer as a means to reassure him that he would be a reliable reference to Pharaoh. (verse 16)
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:
It seems that these baskets were stacked with two on his head and one resting on the very top of the two.
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.
18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: 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.
Historical Punishments
The modes of taking life then are historically known to be by hanging, something called gibbeting and this little thing called, beheading. Specifically, criminals were first beheaded and then hung either by their hands or by meat hooks in the public.
We note that Joseph does not ask the baker to remember him when he is potentially restored back to his former position.
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.
To lift up the head in this passage seems to mean that he brought them out from the King’s prison perhaps for trial.
Another observance for whatever it is worth and I say it that way because we are all free to live and be as we see fit in Christ. For some drinking is allowable; for others not. For some worldly entertainments have no effect on their walk, for others they do. So, I do not say this to make a law or impose condemnation.
But if you are a seeker seeking to walk in spirit and truth, consider the following: Central to the faith as reiterated all through scripture is to look to the well-being of others and to defer attention upon the self. Walking humbly before YAHAVAH is an important consideration, not indulging the flesh or the natural man or woman – a key consideration.
And because our babies are not born children of God we celebrate their natural births with attention, gifts and special treatment – right? In fact, I am in California today to celebrate the gift of life in my first granddaughter, MaryBird. I rejoice in the fact that YAHAVAH has blessed our family with the little one who joins her two boy cousins -and it is party time. Yes. Sure. Fun. Indulgent.
However, from a
The Scriptural View on Birthdays
From a scriptural perspective, Genesis to Revelation, there are two birthdays mentioned by name in the text of adults. This one of Pharaoh and the second of Herod. And the celebration of them and their flesh, and what resulted in the second (which was the beheading of John the Baptist) and what will result in Pharaoh’s too will be the beheading of the baker, I see birthday celebrations for adult Christians, at least in my life, as representing EVERYTHING the scripture speaks against.
Me, me, me (instead of Him, Him, Him). My day instead of days for others. Honoring me (for something we had literally NOTHING to do with.) And of course, we can course through history and even our own culture and see the entitled, selfish, self-indulgent attitudes so many adults embrace on this day.
Personal Reflection on Christian Birthday Celebrations
Again, each individual chooses – but when a person comes to see what Christ has done for them and their natural entitled, fleshly state and wants to celebrate this state every year, it does not make any sense to me. At all. I’ve heard all the rationals – “I’m just honoring God for giving me life.” If that’s true, let God be your judge. But all I am trying to explain is the only birth worthy of honor is the third birthday indirectly mentioned in scripture, that was celebrated with stars lighting up the sky and gifts presented by wise men, was that of our Savior – which to me is cause for celebration every day.
Go as you are lead, but perhaps we turn this focus on self and fleshly birth on its head and gently re-direct all the attention and gifts and praise to others – especially Him. Or at least to the parents who gave us life and cared for us when we were children?? Something to consider.
Pharaoh's Birthday and Ingratitude
So, the Pharaoh's distinguished birthday was observed by the ancient custom of a feast. And the cupbearer and the butler were both brought forth (verse 21-23).
21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
A very typical response, right? Back to that idea we mentioned last week of ingratitude. It would take some time for this to be remedied, so let’s push forward into chapter 41.
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.
2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
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.
4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
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.
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
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:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
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.
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
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.
15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a …
Joseph's Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream
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.
16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
17 ¶ And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: 18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: 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: 20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: 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. 22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: 23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: 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. 25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Context of Joseph's Story
Alright, back to verse 1
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.
So, a full two years pass and then Pharaoh himself has a dream.
So, Joseph – hated by his brethren, loved by his Father. Coat taken and rent and smeared with animal blood. He is sold by His own darn family into slavery. He is elevated in the house of Potifer, he does what is right, and he is punished by being falsely accused yet again and not put in another form of bondage. And for two years he waits for a man He did a favor for to remember him.
YAHAVAH does not break him free from any of this. He doesn’t step in and interfere physically to free him – but – listen, YAHAVAH lets him suffer. He who had done no wrong. All part of the proving ground, folks. Trust this – or not. Raise a fist to Him, or bide your time.
Pharaoh's Dream
So, Pharaoh has a dream that he is standing by the Nile river – which is the source for all crops in that land.
Now, we all have a choice but it is almost entirely irrelevant, and that is how to interpret kine here. The Hebrew translation is pretty much cattle. But Job uses a word that is of Egyptian origin that is best interpreted as water ox or river horse, and that word is behemoth. I mention this because hippopotamus are a Nile animal, and they eat grasses that surround the Nile. Yes, the Hebrew word her is kine, and certainly the dream could have been oxen or cattle, but I like take the area and its zoology in hand and because it does not change the dream, consider this to be the hippo.
2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 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. 4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
We get the picture. The skinny ox or hippos ate the fat.
The Second Dream
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank (which means fat or plump) and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. Throughout the biblical text all the detrimental effects that fall on crops (described as blasting, smutting, mildew and even locusts) are attributed to the East wind. (Exodus 10:13; 14:21; Psalm 78:26; Ezekiel 17:10; Jonah 4:8).
In Egypt, the east wind it is peculiarly destructive, because it comes through the parched deserts of Arabia and has historically killed large numbers of people too. It is called the smoom or simoom by
Biblical Perspective on Dreams and Interpretation
Job 27:21 and Isaiah 27:8 speak to it as does (Exodus 10:13; 14:21; Psalm 78:26; Ezekiel 17:10; Jonah 4:8) What makes it most destructive is that it is supremely dry and withers all vegetation in its path. Hosea writes in Hosea 13:15:
“Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an EAST WIND shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up FROM THE WILDERNESS, and his spring shall BECOME DRY, and his fountain shall be DRIED up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.”
And here in Pharaoh’s dream, the thinned ears do what the skinny oxen or hippos do to the fat (Verse 7).
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
The Role of Joseph in Pharaoh's Dream Interpretation
Now remember what Joseph said to the cupbearer and baker who had dreams? “Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.” And from this we get a principle – let God, through those who love, follow and pursue God, interpret your dreams – IF there is a need for interpretation. Why? Because in the least you will get an interpretation that accords with Him, His will and His knowledge of all things. So be very careful about the interpretation of things that come from those who know not God – is the point. It’s not so much about dream interpretation but be very cautious about who you seek to share insights with.
In this case, Pharaoh did not know the true and living YAHAVAH, and so we read:
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.
The two words used to describe those Pharaoh called are “all the magicians”
Joseph's Peaceful Insight
9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: Apparently the dreams Pharaoh had, on perplexing all the others, brought Joseph to mind. So the Cupbearer recites the way he came to know him, saying:
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: 11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 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. 13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
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. On the specifics of his grooming or the origin of his clothing we can't say much but he wanted to be presentable.
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. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Unlike the insights that these others magicians would give, Joseph lays all power and insights on the God of His Fathers. The key word that he offers Pharaoh in the description is peace – which is a super sound insight into the state of
Dreams of Pharaoh
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: 18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
It is well known that there is scarcely any rain in Egypt and therefore the country depend heavily on the overflowing of the Nile. In fact, the crops value is based on the duration and quantity of the overflow. We may therefore safely conclude that the seven years of plenty were owing to an extraordinary overflowing of the Nile; and that the seven years of dearth were occasioned by a very limited amount or even the absence of any inundation. The result – two periods of hydration, two types of animal and two types of crop.
Interpretations of the Dream
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: 20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: 1 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.
22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: 23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: 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. 25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Divine Control Over the Earth
Now that is a dream, and that is an interpretation, and that is rightful credit given – to God. Like it or not, hydration of the earth ultimately is in the hands of YAHAVAH. If He determines it, it will be. We will continue on next week.
See you then . . . God willing.
