4. Patience
| The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream... ...Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." (Genesis40:23-41:16) |
But before that dream was fulfilled Joseph had to go through a lot:
- Betrayed and almost killed by his brothers. Genesis 37:2 tells us that he was 17 when his conflict with his brothers reached boiling point.
- Sold as a slave and dragged off to Egypt
- Sold to Potiphar where he worked his way to being the "major domo".
- Thrown into prison where he worked his way up to being a supervisor of sorts
- Interprets the cupbearer and baker's dreams, but the cupbearer forgot about him for two years
- Becomes Pharaoh's right hand at 30. (Gen41:46)
That's 13 years as slave and prisoner!
While I think the whole period must have been tough, the last two years must have been really tough.
He'd correctly interpreted the dreams of two high officials but nothing was happening!
I can imagine Joseph's internal dialog: "The cupbearer is alive, the baker is dead, surely the cupbearer will be grateful to be alive! Surely he'll remember me!"
But the cupbearer forgot for two years. (That's nearly 3% of a seventy year life-span!)
If I were Joseph, I'd be angry, champing at the bit, ready to prove myself.
If Pharoah asked me if I could interpret dreams I think I might have responded:
"Is the Nile a river? You betcha I can interpret dreams!"
(or something like that!)
But Joseph is wise and honours God.
There is calmness about him.
He's waited 13 years for this moment.
His spirit is quiet - he can interpret dreams.
He's ready to lead.
He's not a 17 year old tattle-taling on his brothers.
He's learned patience.
God's Spirit can give us patience:
- When we are "waiting in the wings" for years
- When we are slaves slogging away and taken for granted.
- When we are imprisoned physically or by our circumstances.
- When we are forgotten and frustrated.
The same Spirit who helped Joseph will help you and me!
