Genesis 39:20-23 The LORD was with [Joseph]; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.
God allows the sin of Potiphar’s wife to cause Joseph to be sent to prison. He was falsely charged with attempted rape. His life again takes a downward step. Yet, Joseph was still the same man, the same believer in God that his brothers sold into bondage. No matter where he went, God was present. The circumstances of his life changed but the sovereign God of the universe was still with Joseph.
Joseph must have felt a glimmer of hope when the prison warden recognized something different about this prisoner. Like Potiphar, Joseph stood out as a person of exemplary character and skill. The man of God will always stand out in a crowd. By their words, actions and expressions of divine character, people will take notice.
It is here that Joseph interprets the dream of the king’s Cupbearer and Baker. They had been imprisoned for offending the king. Joseph revealed that the dream of the Cupbearer meant that he would be restored to his former position for the king. To the Baker he interpreted his dream to mean that he would be executed by the king. When the interpretations were realized, the Cupbearer forgot about Joseph. He did not say anything to Joseph or the King about the interpretations. Joseph would continue to reside in the prison as chief of all the prisoners.
Circumstances are never a true reflection of our standing with God. A life without God will always lead to disaster. A life that acknowledges Him to the world around us will always lead to blessing. Both the good and bad circumstances of life are irrelevant to our Christian character. We are who we are by God’s grace. No matter the circumstances we are to live in constant affirmation of God’s goodness and grace in us.
