Dreams and Their Interpretations
Genesis 40 is a fun passage – at least for me. Here we get to see basic truths and easily
recognize them. And, we get to talk
about the interpretation of dreams – which is clearly not a science but still a
fun topic about which we can talk.
First, I think Joseph’s comment in Genesis 40:8 is important
to lift out of the text. “Does not the
interpretations of dreams belong to God?”
Just for fun, I looked up the definition of the Hebrew word used for
“interpretation” and here’s what I discovered: “The act or result of giving the
meaning words or signs.”
I know that definition is likely exactly what we understand
by the word interpretation, but that definition really helped me put Joseph’s
comment into perspective. Interpretation
happens because a sign, or in this case a dream, occurred. And where do we believe these signs and
dreams come from? God, of course! So if the dreams and signs come from God,
then is it not reasonable to expect that the interpretation of such dreams and
signs should also come from God? After
all, if He is the one delivering them, He should be the most reliable one to
interpret them, too? All too often I
think we as human beings fail to take the time to truly consult God before
spouting off our understanding of events, dreams, visions, etc. Joseph reminds us of this today.
Opportunistic “Friends”
A second basic truth that we can learn about humanity is
found in Genesis 40:16. “When the chief
baker saw that the interpretation of chief cupbearer’s dream was favorable, he
said to Joseph…” There are many people
out there who will intentionally wait to make sure that we are in a good mood
to say good things before asking our opinion.
The chief baker waited until he heard that the cupbearer’s
interpretation was a good thing before asking for an interpretation of his
dream.
Although we don’t have any clue as to why these two people
were in prison in the first place, we can see some validation for the outcome
based on how they treat Joseph. The
cupbearer trusts Joseph’s interpretation whether it will be good or bad. The baker uses Joseph only after he finds
that Joseph says favorable things to the cupbearer. At least in this single event, the cupbearer
is righteous while the baker is manipulative and self-seeking.
If one event is good enough to judge a person – and for the
record, it is not – then Pharaoh made the right decision in sparing the
cupbearer while judging the baker. All
of this brings us back around to a simple truth: there are people in the world
who are searching for truth regardless of whether it judges them favorable or
not, and there are people in the world who are only looking for the truth when
it will validate their own existence.
A third basic truth about humanity is found in Genesis
40:23. “Yet the chief cupbearer did not
remember Joseph, he forgot him.” So
often the people we help forget us when their moment of need is over. Or, let’s spin that around the other way. How often do we use another person when we
need them and then forget about them when our need is over? You see, we are surely able to understand
Joseph’s position as the often forgotten one.
But we should be equally as willing to understand the cupbearer’s action
as the forgetful one. That is just human
nature, and it is unfortunate.
God Remembers
There is one more additional truth that we can learn from
this passage, although it is about God and not humanity. God is remembering Joseph in prison. God is setting up Joseph to find release –
albeit after a few years of being in prison as we shall see next chapter. But God has not abandoned Joseph; God has
given Joseph the ability to stand up and attest to his faithfulness. Joseph has proven himself willing to
interpret dreams and in so doing to give the glory to God. God has not forgotten; God will never forget
those who are faithful to him regardless of the depth of the prison in which they
may find themselves.
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