Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. (Genesis 40:21-23)

Because he stood for righteousness, Joseph was put in prison. Most anyone else accused of assault by Potiphar’s wife would be immediately executed. But Potiphar knew Joseph, and he knew his wife – and instead sent Joseph to prison.

In prison, it would be easy for Joseph to be self-focused because so much wrong had been done against him. Yet, by the hidden hand of God’s grace, Joseph was concerned about others. When distressing dreams troubled two other prisoners (Pharaoh’s own butler and baker), Joseph cared enough to help them.

Joseph explained that the butler’s dream meant he would be vindicated and restored to serving Pharaoh. That was good news. Joseph also explained the dream of the baker, that he would be convicted and executed. That was bad news. Three days later, Joseph was proved right and found to be a true messenger of God.

Sadly, even though Joseph helped the butler greatly, yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Here, Joseph was wronged again. He thought that the butler’s kindness might mean his release from prison, but it was not to be. God had another purpose.

All men God uses greatly, He first prepares greatly. Few are willing to endure the greatness of God’s preparation. God was in both the steps and stops of Joseph’s life, and this is an example of how God works in the life of a believer today.

When we read the Bible, we often see ourselves in the characters. It’s easy to read Genesis 40 and say, I am like Joseph – though I have been wronged, God can use me to reveal His word or His mysteries to others. There’s a place for that, but it’s not the best way to see ourselves in Genesis 40. Here is a better way to read Genesis 40.

More than being like Joseph, we are more like the butler and the baker. In this picture, Jesus is like Joseph to us.

– Jesus is the innocent Man who came into our prison and shared our condition.
– As He shared our condition, Jesus revealed God’s message to us.
– Like Joseph, Jesus was proven true in three days.
– Joseph shows us Jesus, whose message from God brings life or death.
– If you are looking for a message from God, look to Jesus.

There is also a blessed contrast, a difference between Joseph and Jesus: Joseph’s word only rescued the innocent prisoner, not the guilty one. The good news – the greatest news – is that the message and rescue of Jesus is also for the guilty who repent and believe on Him.

Jesus shared our condition and brought the message of life. Respond to Him with faith, gratitude, and remembrance.