GENESIS 40 USEFUL WAITING TIMES Training times in a Christian’s life are when our convictions are formed and made real and personal to us. That is when our response to what we have been taught by trusted teachers, comes alive to us and we form our lasting commitments to yield to the Spirit of God, the word of God, and those to whom we are accountable. Teaching by trusted fathers in the faith is important because that defines the course of behavior in a believer’s life that our Lord intends us to follow. Also, it starts us off in a practical way, to living biblically and confidently. The Holy Spirit guides us through God’s word and we act upon that guidance. The time will come when we choose to make what we were taught, our own convictions, or to reject them. When we know who has taught us and trust them as truth-tellers, we will want to follow that guidance.
Joseph had learned of God and had come to know God early in life. He had developed moral and spiritual convictions relating to life and how it is to be lived in the sight of God. He did not want to “sin against God.” When he was in prison, there were imposed limitations on his physical activity over which he had no control, but his faith in God remained intact and his commitment to God was not diminished. His loyalty to God and his faithfulness to God was tested as to whether his inward convictions and loyalty was real when tested in a very restricted environment. His attitude was obvious honorable and positive in spite of the circumstances, which made him a young man to be trusted by the jailer. His convictions were in him and he lived them out in an adverse situation. He did not compromise his position as a person of faith.
When his feet were “hurt in the stocks,” likely when first imprisoned, he maintained his loyalty to God and was not one who complained to the those around him. He never lost his spiritual power by verbalizing the unfairness of his situation. His witness for God was never weakened by negative comments or a belligerent attitude. The normal attitude of prisoners is to respond in kind to the words and ways of others who are incarcerated, and to take an adversarial position against the jailers. How Joseph influenced the keeper of the prison is not stated, but we know it was because “The Lord was with Joseph,” that his influence for right was strong and obvious.
None of us lives to ourself and none of us die without leaving some kind of testimony behind, whether it be a good one or bad. When we are waiting for what we think God has in mind for us in the future, we need to remember that waiting times are also training times. Patience is best learned in adversity.
Some of the most important lessons we will learn in life are the small and seemingly simple ones that we face each day, or normal, ordinary, and often boring days. It is important for us to accept the training that comes with a quiet and confident attitude of gratitude, in the same way that we learn from the dramatic events in life.
Working, v.1-4. Important things happen when we hardly realize them as divine guidance. Two important men being put in prison would have brought about some special interest on the part of the whole prison population as well as the keeper of the prison. Joseph didn’t seem to think the butler and the baker being there, was reason for him to show particular favor to them. He was under a higher authority then the king’s men. At the same time, he likely could see the hand of God in each event whether it was large or small.
That is what being conscious of God being with us does for us. It keeps things of earth in the proper perspective. It makes us aware of the fact that God is in the small details of life as well as the large things, because He is working with those who are working for Him. Faithfulness to our duty is a testimony of our loyalty to the Lord. That can be a benefit to us having a positive influence on other people, but of greater benefit, is to the person who does what they do “as unto the Lord,” being a happy or at least a contented person. When the joy of the Lord is real in us and to us, there is a wonderful sense of purpose, joy and the knowledge that we can glorify God “in our body and spirit which are His.”
Injustice didn’t make a difference to Joseph, at least outwardly, as he went about his work. There was no evidence of bitterness, but rather a quiet spirit and silent tongue in spite of the slander, misunderstanding and unfairness he was enduring. In our lives there are times when for us to speak would adversely affect our Christian witness and demean us personally. Silence in those times of injustice is a strength and testimony of our trust in God and of victory over our own self. Our convictions as believers, will not stand in the way of earthly promotions when we base them on the will of God and act accordingly. Many unbelieving businessmen will trust a Christian because they recognize loyalty to God means they will be loyal to the work they do daily because they do it as to the Lord.
Watching, v.5-19. “God speaks once, yea twice, and man perceives it not.” However, when a child of God is in touch with God and willing to act in faith and fellowship with God, that person recognizes when God is at work in the lives of other people as well as in themselves. We are not called upon to be inquisitive whenever we see a person is in a dilemma, but it is quite in order to inquire when we see concern in a person; to ask whether we can help them. That is evidence of sincere concern, not the nosiness of a busy-body. Being cynical when a person seems troubled over a simple matter does not help them at all, and it does nothing positive for our own testimony as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joseph was a young man who could be agreeable and capable at the same time. His ability did not interfere with his sincere humanity and interest in others. What he had learned at home in his youth about God, was solid in his heart and he remained true to God in spite of all he suffered from the various events in his life. Consequently, he invited the two troubled prisoners to tell him their dreams, and at the same time, testified that he didn’t interpret dreams, but was simply the link between God who does interpret dreams and helps troubled souls.
When God is real to a person, He chooses to use to fulfill His will, that person is humbled to think that God be willing to use him or her. God can and will use us when we are available to Him! An attractive, amiable person has opportunities given to them by God because they are approachable and caring. It is important to retain one’s integrity and personal honor, and yet not be lofty or high-minded toward others. Being superficial and trying to make one’s self accepted by adapting the words, lifestyle, appearance and attitudes of others, does not have power to bring the change of attitude, repentance and faith that an unbeliever needs.
Differences, even in little things, reveal what is missing to those who know all is not well between them and God. Faithfulness to God and what we know to be true, and the courage to go upstream when the majority of people are going downstream, may cause a distance between people. This is essential when unbelievers realize their need of God. They see the difference between people of faith and themselves.
The conclusion of the incident when Joseph interpreted the two dreams, could have caused consternation in Joseph if he had not understood he was speaking for God. The favorable outcome for the butler and the death of the baker was not deviated from as he told them the meaning. He did not hide anything God said, in order to be accepted in himself. He was telling the truth from God. He did not add to the word of God nor did he take away from it. This is an important lesson for every watching witness for the Lord, to keep impressed on our hearts.
Waiting, v.20-23. When the butler left the prison, he must have expressed some appreciation to Joseph, but like so many people who are self-absorbed and self-centered, he forgot the one who had encouraged and assured him. How pathetic it is when ungrateful people “forget” the one who blessed them. For two more long and humiliating years, Joseph waited. In spite of being forgotten, we do not read of Joseph becoming bitter or reproachful against the butler.
When we realize God is in control and working out His will, waiting quietly is an expression of faith in God that will give us far greater satisfaction than getting our own way. Putting God first in one’s life, strengthens character, develops wisdom and discernment, and helps to maintain our reputation with other people. When we nurture and feed our souls, our character is tended to and God will take are of our personal interests and what others think about us. Two years of being forgotten by men may seem like a long, wasted time, but in the whole scheme of life, it is not lost time. Waiting times really are training times for some of the major traits of Christian living. Patience, long-suffering, kindness, endurance and faithfulness are learned while waiting. The results will make it worth it all.
God’s way is the wisest way to train us and fit us for our work in life. Training involves hardship and is not usually pleasant, but the experience and the process of discipline produces results that make us fit servants of the greatest of masters.
God’s timing is best because he alone knows the end from the beginning. From home, to slavery, to prison must have seemed like something had gone wrong. Unless we are conscious that God is at work in us and through us, we can become discouraged by waiting. God is working out His divine plans and purposes to make people ready to serve Him as He wants, whether it is for four years or four-hundred years as in the case of the children of Israel, who remained in Egypt until God knew they were ready to listen to Him.
God’s grace is sufficient for us in spite of anything or everything that may come against us. Sympathy when others are in sorrow, cheerfulness in hardship, patience when hope is deferred, are all positive benefits to one’s own self as well as others around us. By not allowing our spirit to be provoked when all does not go well, and remaining consistent, even when not acknowledged by others of being little worth, is possible by the grace of God. There is something about the grace of God being evident in a person, that produces a “perfect work” in us. When patience does its perfect work, a Christian witness is complete and full without any additions. Not a lot has to be said when we wait patiently on the Lord. Then we will be ready to do what He wants, when He wants.