Day 32 – Genesis 40:1-4
Two Prisoners Placed Near Joseph
Scripture Reading – Genesis 40:1-4
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.
Genesis 40:1 KJV
And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.
Genesis 40:2 KJV
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 40:3 KJV
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.
Genesis 40:4 KJV
Scripture Review
Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker offend their lord and are placed in the same prison where Joseph is bound. The captain of the guard charges Joseph with them, and he serves them for a season. Their offense, Pharaoh’s anger, the prison assignment, and Joseph’s responsibility meet in one place. None of the men can see what that arrangement will mean later.
Joseph does not know that one of these prisoners will stand near Pharaoh again. He simply serves the people put before him. Providence often enters life disguised as an added responsibility. The person I am tempted to treat as an interruption may be part of an answer I have prayed for, though I must never serve people just to use them. Joseph’s faithful service comes before any promise of connection or reward.
Pharaoh meant to confine two officers who had offended him, and the captain meant for Joseph to attend them within the prison.
God meant to place Joseph beside the future witness who would one day speak his name in Pharaoh’s court.
What this asks of me
I should not decide that a person or assignment is unimportant because it arrives in an unpleasant season. Faithfulness pays attention to whoever God places within today’s duty. I cannot see every connection He is making, and I do not need to. I can serve without demanding to know how the service will benefit me.
Consider
- Whom have I treated as an interruption rather than a person to serve?
- Can I carry an added responsibility faithfully without knowing whether it will ever open a door?