Interpreting Dreams

Genesis 39:20-40:23

“And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And 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. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” (Genesis 39:20-23)

Joseph was accused of trying to rape his master’s wife. It is miraculous he was not summarily executed. Proverbs 6:32-35 warns, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”

It sounds like a contradiction that the Lord was with Joseph, yet he went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. That he wasn’t killed instead is one evidence of God’s blessing. Before long, the warden made him a trustee and made him manager of the prison. Like Potiphar, the warden was free to pursue other interests because he no longer had to focus on running the prison. There is an old saying, “The cream always rises to the top.” God’s blessing brought Joseph to a place of prominence and relative freedom, both as a slave and as a prisoner.

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.” (Genesis 40:1-3)

Many people strive to obtain political appointments, failing to realize how unstable the positions are. A change in policy or an imprudent comment or action that in some way appears to reflect badly on the one making the appointment may result in dismissal, imprisonment, or in many countries, even execution. The Butler’s primary job was to protect the Pharaoh by tasting everything before he did. The baker was entrusted with preparing safe meals. Something the king’s baker and butler had done offended the king and he had them imprisoned for it.

“And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.” (Genesis 40:4)

Because of their political connections, the warden wanted to insure that they were not mistreated, knowing how things can change. Isn’t amazing how little things have changed after 4,000 years? He especially charged Joseph with seeing to it they were well cared for. They spent a few weeks in the prison, and Joseph became well acquainted with them.

“And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?“ (Genesis 40:5-7)

Most dreams are believed to be the result of ones concerns during the day. The unconscious mind attempts to resolve them while undisturbed with other things. Excessive stress may result in a lack of restful sleep, and troubling dreams. Because one tends to let down his conscious guard, the mind is unusually accessible to spiritual suggestions, both by Godly and satanic spirits, though it is still able to discern and heed or ignore them. The attitudes one has developed still govern the spiritual suggestions we hear and thus some people are more likely to have spirit induced dreams, whether from God or demons.

Dreams are considered very important communications by many peole, and the baker and butler were no exception. They had no doubt their dreams were significant, and not knowing what they meant was troubling. Being familiar with them, Joseph recognized that they re more depressed than usual the morning after they had their dreams. Having established a friendship, he asked what was wrong that had so upset them.

“And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.
And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.” (Genesis 40:8)

There are a lot of people who claim to have the ability to interpret dreams, sometimes writing books describing how certain features mean certain things. Unfortunately they are often like a person who speaks a few words of another language and has to try to guess exactly what was really said based on the few words that were understood. They may completely misunderstand what is meant. Only God is capable of interpreting every dream, and Joseph recognized this.

“And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, 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.

And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: 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.” (Genesis 40:9-15)

God revealed the meaning of the dream to Joseph, that the butler would be restored to his former position within three days. Joseph then asked the butler to use his connections to intervene on his behalf when he got his job back, describing what had happened to him.

“When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, 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.

And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: 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.” (Genesis 40:16-19)

Emboldened by the interpretation of the butler’s dream, the chief baker described his as well. Unfortunately, the interpretation of it was that the baker would be hanged about the same time the butler got his job back. He probably wished he hadn’t asked.

“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. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.” (Genesis 40:20-23)

The test of a prophet, or prophecy is whether it comes to pass. Most frauds try to be unspecific enough that they can not be pinned down. Joseph’s interpretation was very specific, both as to the event, and the timing, as well as which would live and which would die.. Both were fulfilled, making it clear they were from God.

Eager to put his memories of prison behind him, the butler promptly forgot about Joseph’s request. It was probably pretty discouraging and humbling to Joseph to realize that no one was concerned about his plight, since he’d always had whatever he wanted.