Genesis 40 -- Time To Interpret & Time To Wait

Joseph had gained favor with the jailer due to his trustworthiness and character, but also because God was in charge and was setting up things in His sovereignty.  When Joseph noticed concern on the faces of the two officers of the king imprisoned with him, my commentary said it showed that he was a caring and discerning man.  Although he was falsely accused and imprisoned, he didn’t let his situation dictate his reaction.

He’d interpreted his own dreams but never someone else’s, according to the Genesis record.  Now he finds that God has provided him the means to understand dreams.  His statement giving God the glory for the interpretations shows he was a humble man, my commentary added.

I had not considered what my commentary said next:  that Joseph’s request to the king’s butler to speak to the king on his behalf once he was restored to his office amounted to Joseph “putting his trust in what a man could do instead of depending on what God could do.  He was getting impatient instead of waiting for God’s time.”  I’d just considered that Joseph was availing himself of what God had placed before him, and that God was taking care of the timing by having the butler “conveniently forget” Joseph’s request until the time was right.  In fact, two years would pass before God was ready to act.

Father, Your timing is always spot-on, and You’ve amazed me over the years by how You so incredibly make things happen at just the right time!  Thank You for teaching me to wait on You.  Father, You know what I wait for now.  Please encourage me until that time and help me not to worry, but to have faith in You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford