Potiphar periodically pained over putting Joseph in prison. Casting his loyal slave into the king’s dungeon was a compromise. As feared as Potiphar was, he lacked the character to administer justice to a slave—even the best one he’d ever owned—and stand up against his obviously evil wife. He knew Joseph did not deserve death. Being a highly observant man (he had to be as captain of the king’s bodyguards), he suspected his wife’s accusations were bogus. Yet he could not sacrifice his own reputation by punishing his wife for falsely accusing a slave. Like so many other men of power, a beautiful woman easily weakened Potiphar’s character.
Instead of opposing his wife, Potiphar opted to pacify her by plunking Joseph behind bars—a grave injustice. Joseph was punished for a crime he did not commit. Yet Potiphar placated his guilt by reassuring himself that prison was the only way to save Joseph from execution. Potiphar’s solution was similar to that of Reuben. Jacob’s firstborn did not want his brother murdered, but he lacked the courage and strength to stand up against his brothers. So he concocted the plan to save Joseph by having him thrown in a pit, thinking he could save him later. Unfortunately, Reuben’s plan was horribly flawed. He actually opened the door for Judah to sell Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:22, 26-29). However, in the end, Potiphar’s plan worked out better for Joseph. Still, no leader stays on top using injustice as a tool to save reputation, secure power or even to save someone’s life.
It is likely that Potiphar’s prosperity began to wane once Joseph was unjustly put into prison. From Bible history, we know Reuben did not measure up to the high standards required of a firstborn son. He lived a miserably failed life losing all claim to the birthright that was eventually given to Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:2).
“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God,” King David wrote at the end of his life (2 Samuel 23:3). As future kings and priests, we must work hard to understand and execute God’s justice as the opportunities present themselves to us.
The Keeper of the Prison’s Favorite
As students of Joseph’s life, we should recognize that Reuben and Potiphar were used by God to further His plan for Joseph. The Eternal tempered Potiphar’s unjust treatment of Joseph by giving him favor with “the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21) In just a short time, Joseph was working productively even though inside prison. Because he was doing so well, “the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it” (verse 22).
Joseph saw prisoners come and go; he saw prisoners executed. Although grateful he wasn’t one of those executed, most of all, he was thankful there was work to do. Managing the prison had its challenges. Food and provisions had to be either grown or procured. Work assigned to the prisoners had to be scheduled, with goals met on time. Joseph had the natural ability to manage all such tasks successfully. Yet it was God who prospered Joseph while in prison (verse 23).
We can be sure Joseph had to fight through dark times—who wouldn’t in prison? Yet while confined to prison, Joseph had time to think—to plan what to do when released from the bars that bound him. He knew God was with him, blessing him—even in prison. Joseph had no doubt God would eventually free him. He had ample time to reflect on God’s plans for his father and brothers. Joseph renewed his confidence in the dreams God had given him.
Genesis 40:3 shows that Joseph still had some connection to Potiphar. The prison housing the king’s prisoners was attached to Potiphar’s house (as proof, compare Genesis 39:1 with Genesis 40:3). Joseph would have been well aware of the prison before being bound there. While in prison, he likely thought often about his former “free life” as a slave. We can be sure that Potiphar and Joseph could easily observe each other while Joseph was incarcerated. Yet Joseph did not fret over his situation because God was with him in the prison. Joseph likely was able to observe events happening in Potiphar’s household. With God as his comforter and protector, we can be sure Joseph realized his master was more the prisoner than he.
Pharaoh’s Imprisoned Chiefs
One day, a great commotion occurred at the prison gates. Two of Pharaoh’s most trusted officers, the chief butler and baker, were being marched into the dungeon. These two men had the serious responsibility to ensure that the king was not poisoned. Moses tells us that the two men had greatly offended the king of Egypt and he was very angry with them (Genesis 40:1-2). Could some plot to execute the king have been uncovered? The Bible does not say. History shows that Gentile palace government is often very fickle in regards to favor. The two officers may have offended Pharaoh for some insignificant thing. Nonetheless they ended up in the slammer.
Of course, the “captain of the guard”—Potiphar—escorted them to jail (verse 3). Because of their high status in the king’s cabinet, Potiphar specifically assigned their care to Joseph (verse 4). This shows that Potiphar maintained great trust in the Hebrew slave. And it also shows that Potiphar knew how to bank favors. Ensuring that these two men were well taken care of in a dark dungeon would stack some points for Potiphar if he needed their help in the future.
However, Joseph felt deep compassion for the men. He could well relate to their situation. Joseph “served them: and they continued a season in ward” (verse 4, last part). While under Joseph’s care, both men dreamed dreams on the same night. The next morning, both were troubled by their dreams. Neither could understand what the dreams meant. The men were depressed.
Being a kindhearted person, Joseph noticed their deep sadness. Trying to cheer them up he said, “Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?” (verse 7). Both replied, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it” (verse 8). Being particularly fascinated by dreams, Joseph was immediately and intensely curious. He wanted to hear more. He encouraged them by saying, “Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.”
This statement at end of verse 8 says much about Joseph’s faith. He told the men that only God could reveal the meaning of their dreams. Joseph’s humble statement of faith is the same as the Prophet Daniel’s: “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days …” (Daniel 2:27-28). Joseph’s imprisonment did not break his faith. He obviously held on to God’s promises. Joseph still firmly believed in the dreams God gave him.
Given Understanding in Dreams
The chief butler spoke first. “In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 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: 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” (Genesis 40:9-11). God gave Joseph instant understanding of the dream. He interpreted the meaning for the butler.
“The three branches are three days: 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. But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 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” (verses 12-15). The final outcome of the butler’s dream was going to be very positive. Joseph knew it to be absolute fact. So he took an opportunity to ask the butler to entreat Pharaoh about his unjust situation.
When the chief baker heard the positive outcome of the butler’s dream, he too decided to reveal his dream. With great uneasiness he explained, “I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: 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” (verse 16-17).
Again, God gave Joseph instant understanding. His heart sank. Slowly and quietly Joseph explained, “The three baskets are three days: 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” (verses 18-19). The baker’s face changed to ashen white. He would be executed.
The events described by Joseph were fulfilled precisely. The Bible states, “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. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them” (verses 20-22). God performed a great miracle for Joseph by giving him such wonderful understanding. This had to be of great encouragement to him. Yet, he had to have become frustrated with the butler. Why? Pharaoh’s chief butler simply forgot him (verses 23). God’s time to release Joseph had not yet come.
You Are Joseph
Is it easy for you to identify with Joseph? If not, you may want to do some extra study and pray a little harder to understand his life. As God’s sons and daughters we are going to be tried and tested—severely at times—just like Joseph. Why? God is at this very moment finalizing His plans to promote us to high office in the wonderful World Tomorrow.
On the surface it appeared that Joseph’s life was a series of one disaster after another. Joseph’s brothers hated him—they sold him into slavery. Potiphar’s wife slandered Joseph, and Potiphar put him into prison for not having relations with her. Joseph gave Pharaoh’s chief butler good news—directly from God—yet the butler forgot him for two whole years! These events could have broken Joseph or driven him insane. Just the opposite happened.
Joseph grew stronger mentally, physically and spiritually—especially spiritually. What about us? Are we truly growing as a result of our stresses, tests and trials? Are we allowing our failures, faults and mistakes bring us down or build us up? In Joseph’s life, the tragedies that struck him down temporarily became the stepping-stones to better things.
His slavery made him a better servant. His time in prison made him more compassionate. Remember, he felt concern over the sadness of the butler and the baker. When the butler forgot him, he did not become bitter—being forgotten for two years made him more patient. And during this entire time of his young life, Joseph drew ever closer to God. “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Joseph taught the butler. Throughout his trials Joseph never held ill will toward God! What fantastic lessons Joseph’s life hold for us. Let’s be Joseph.