Day 34 – Genesis 40:9-15
Remember Me When It Is Well
Scripture Reading – Genesis 40:9-15
And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;
Genesis 40:9 KJV
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:
Genesis 40:10 KJV
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.
Genesis 40:11 KJV
And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:
Genesis 40:12 KJV
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.
Genesis 40:13 KJV
But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
Genesis 40:14 KJV
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 40:15 KJV
Scripture Review
The chief butler tells his dream, and Joseph explains that the three branches are three days. Pharaoh will restore the butler to his place. Then Joseph makes a human request: “think on me when it shall be well with thee.” He tells the truth about being stolen from the land of the Hebrews and says that he has done nothing worthy of the dungeon.
Asking for help is not a failure of faith. Joseph does not manipulate the butler or offer a false interpretation in exchange for favor. He serves him with truth, then asks to be remembered. There is a difference between trusting human power as my god and properly using an honest opportunity. Joseph can appeal to the butler while still knowing that interpretations belong to God.
The butler meant to know what his dream foretold, and Joseph meant to use a truthful opportunity to bring his unjust imprisonment before Pharaoh.
God meant to reveal the butler’s restoration accurately and plant Joseph’s request in the memory of a man who would later have access to the king.
What this asks of me
I do not have to choose between prayer and a proper request for help. I can tell the truth, use lawful means, and leave the timing with God. I must not bend the message to gain favor, but neither should false humility keep me silent when an honest appeal is available.
Consider
- Is there a truthful request I should make instead of suffering silently?
- Can I ask for help without compromising the truth to improve my chances?