Genesis 40: Joseph Interprets Dreams
While in prison, Joseph has an opportunity to interpret two dreams from two fellow prisoners, the Pharaoh’s chief wine steward and Pharaoh’s chief baker. Joseph relates to the wine steward a favorable outcome and to the baker his impending death. Joseph asks the wine steward to remember him favorably to Pharaoh, but he forgets. Joseph remains in prison.
It is kind of interesting that Joseph uses the same expression “lift up thy head” to talk about two very different judgments. The wine steward’s head is lifted to a restoration of his status and position, the baker’s is lifted from his shoulders.
Joseph had great faith and patience and I am reminded of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. If Joseph can embody each of these attributes in such miserable circumstances, then I have no excuse and great motivation to express them in my certainly more agreeable condition.