GENESIS 40 INTERPRETATIONS BELONG TO GOD I watched the young man, Joseph, far away from home and from other believers, in an unfair and very limited place. But instead of focusing attention on himself, he was aware of the plight of others. The situation he was in didn't turn him into a sour and ungrateful person. He was still a caring person conscious of the fact that for whatever reason, God had placed him there. God is not limited to working His will when circumstances are favorable. When the peace of God rules in our hearts and we find reasons to be thankful, then God can use us to bless others. In whatever place or situation, we may be found, we will find there are opportunities to serve others as is becoming to peculiar people who are zealous of good works. Whether old or young, bond or free, loveable or unlovable, there are people around who need us. We may not know what to say or do at any given moment, but the Lord knows and interpretations belong to Him.
The butler and the baker in this prison narrative must have been suspected of serious wrong-doing. Even more concerning to them though, was the God-sent dreams in the night that they could not forget. There are reasons for God to send unforgettable dreams. He wants to get people to listen to Him. He wants to impress them with some important lesson and give them instructions. Ultimately, God's main purpose is to turn people away from their own wrong and dangerous plans and humble them down so He can show them the right way. God doesn't want any to perish or loose his life by the attacks of Satan against him. God is the Giver of Life and holds its keys in His hands. I learned that no matter who you are, God does not let one go unwarned to hell.
It is wise for one to honestly look at himself and determine what God is trying to say to me and teach me when these unusual events occur. To keep quiet or ignore the ways and words of God, leads one down the wrong road. Not only your life, but your soul will be lost.
The baker held back from telling Joseph his dream until he knew how the butler's dream would be interpreted. He wanted assurance the interpretation would be favorable to him. When one is not willing to be forthright and face the issues that have brought him or her into adverse circumstances, then we have to face the consequences of our own self-deception. Far too often people try to adapt their lives to what they consider is the way of success of others. When things don't work out the way they had hoped, they look for someone to blame - and often that is God. But interpretations belong to God. We have to learn from Him what is the right way for me, not copy others expecting the same results.
As I watched in my mind that early morning prison scene, I was struck with the fact that Joseph did not focus everyone's attention on him, but on God. He gave a clear interpretation of each dream. Each one knew that the answer to their question was in God only. Yet, as many do in events which God allows to happen, they overlooked Joseph's words about God and focused their attention on themselves only. The interpretations of the dreams came true. One lived and one died. The event just faded into the hazy past. The butler forgot the whole thing and it just became an incident in life that he didn't want to remember. It is well for us to allow our minds to dwell on the "hole of the pit from whence we have been digged" from time to time. Times of failure can be the times when we learn most about ourselves, and most about God. It is important that we actually learn the lessons God wants to teach us - not just hear sermons that move us briefly and then we forget. A sermon may only be words to us. A message is information to be received and hopefully acted upon. Messages may come to us in many different ways. Dreams, visions - even strong pain so we cannot rest or sleep may accompany a message so it is impressed on our mind and heart.
I wondered why the butler forgot Joseph so quickly. He may have only considered him a fellow-prisoner, or a prison slave from a foreign land and an insignificant tribe. But God has His timing and plans to fulfill. It is well for me to keep in my mind that interpretations belong to God. He will work His will in His own time, and His own way. It is my responsibility to keep doing what I am doing for Him in a righteous and honorable way. Our times are in His hands.
In the early morning watches, often we will learn Things that will stand us in good stead. Our minds are clear from rest and from selfishness we turn, To consider what we will do in the day ahead. How interesting it is when someone we call upon, Has passed a night of doubt and sometimes fear. We are able to pass on a word from God to them before we're done, And what we said was what they needed to hear.
Those words of comfort and cheer didn't come to us by chance, They were instilled in us when we were alone with God. And our meeting with the needy person wasn't happenstance, It was planed and carried out by the will of the Lord. In order to give something out, we have to take something in, Our minds and hearts are like cisterns to fill with water. When it is the water of God's Word, that is where we begin, As we speak to the hurting person of things that really matter.
God is able to use a clean vessel in ways very unexpected, When we have listened to His voice before we speak. If for some reason we have ignored His Word or it neglected, Then we won't have anything to give to those who anxiously seek. Interpretation does belong to God - He knows everything that should be said. He is able to fill our hearts with His Word, And the Holy Spirit then applies what we read.
So, when the opportunity arises before us, To speak to someone else a word in season; The things we have learned gives them a sense of trust - They know when we say something there is a reason. God can and will use a ready and willing person, To come alongside to meet a worried one's need. They will pay attention as the Word is given them, When the one giving help, to God gives earnest heed.
"O Lord God who knows the hearts of all mankind and can speak in ways we cannot. Help Thy servants today to give the right interpretation of Thy will to those we are going to meet with and talk tonight. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."