Joseph can’t seem to catch a break. His brothers sell him to Midianite (Ishamaelite) traders. The Midianites sell him to Potiphar in Egypt. He rises to a place of authority in Potiphar’s house, only to have her wife make a play for him, and then falsely accuse him when he spurned her love. Then Potiphar has him thrown in prison. His wisdom and skill helps him to rise to power in the prison, as the warden gives him authority over all the prisoners. He happens across the path of Pharaoh’s servants, the butler and the baker. They are downheartened by their stay in prison and the dreams they had that they did not understand or know how to interpret. Joseph tells them that the Lord can interpret their dreams, and surely God gave Joseph the interpretation. Although the baker was to die and the butler was to live, Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he was restored. The butler pledged to do so. However, when the butler was restored, he forgot about Joseph.
Joseph served faithfully and skillfully in every setting in which he found himself. As a slave, he excelled. As a prisoner, he excelled. As an interpreter of dreams, he excelled. Although God would eventually exalt Joseph, there was a tough time here in these two chapters when he could have become highly discouraged. However, Joseph continued to serve in whatever capacity he found himself, and served to the glory of God. Can we say that is our attitude today? Can we say we are serving with excellence and faithfulness even when we feel cheated, oppressed, or abused? Let us take the example of Joseph to heart and live like we believe we serve someone greater than our supervisor. We serve a mighty and benevolent, gracious God. Do all as unto the Lord!
Devoted To You 