Genesis 39:21-40:8 The wellness within one’s soul is the precursor of good things to come

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. 22 The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. 23 The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper. 1 Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, in the jail, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned. 4 The captain of the bodyguard put Joseph in charge of them, and he took care of them; and they were in confinement for some time. 5 Then the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt, who were confined in jail, both had a dream the same night, each man with his own dream and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. 7 He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” 8 Then they said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.”

Background

Despite Joseph doing what was in the interest of Potiphar, he was again humiliated and sent to jail. Nevertheless, Joseph maintained a divine wellness in his soul that saw him through the years of imprisonment. This wellness is the precursor of good things to come. Joseph’s positive and gracious attitude opens up avenues to minister to two prisoners that will eventually lead to his liberation. Today’s devotion teaches us the importance of maintaining a divine peace in our soul amidst distressful circumstances.

Observation

But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

“God was with him” is the redeeming element that will otherwise be a very dark and forlorn chapter. God was indeed Joseph’s protector not from distress, but in the midst of distress. “Extended kindness to” literally means “was loyal to” shows God’s loyalty to help a covenant partner in his time of need. Here, God was seen as favourably influencing the chief jailer’s attitude towards Joseph. As a result the chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail. However, one must not think that it is God alone who caused all things to work in Joseph’s favour. Joseph’s virtues work in tandem with God’s providence bearing fruit for God’s glory. Indeed, divine providence necessitates the out working of human faith to accomplish the will of God.

Then it came about after these things, the cupbearer and the baker for the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt.

At this point, Joseph has been away from his family for 11 years. The chief cupbearer and the chief baker had sinned against the king. Both attended to the king: the cupbearer to the king’s beverage, and the baker to the king’s bread and cakes. As both had intimate access to the king, it is probable that a conspiracy was discovered that implicated both of them. As Joseph served in place of the prison warden, they were placed under his care while awaiting their sentences. Both had dreams that night and having discerned that the dreams concern their fate, they became despondent.

“Why are your faces so sad today?”

Joseph’s selflessness and solicitous care towards the prisoners revealed the authenticity of his faith. And this eventually led to his liberation and exaltation in the Egyptian courts. They opened their hearts to Joseph’s kind concerns being exceedingly burdened as no one can help unravel the mysteries of their dreams. Joseph’s instinctive reply (“Tell it to me”) even before hearing the details describes an unusual confidence in discerning matters of the spirit. His confidence is attributed to the simplicity and objectivity through which the interpretations are received. “Do not interpretations belong to God?” suggests that Joseph employs none of his analytical abilities; but he receives interpretations from God plainly and clearly.

Truth

The wellness within one’s soul is precursor of good things to come

Joseph was met with waves of injustice and humiliation despite his moral uprightness. Nevertheless, Joseph has been able to cleanse himself from all resentment and unforgiveness towards his adversaries. Whatever his lot, Joseph has always maintained a wellness in his soul, a positive attitude demonstrated by his nobility and his graciousness towards others. He is never given to complaining, or slothfulness, and whatever he does, he does heartily as to the Lord. This distinctive wellness in his soul is the evidence of good things to come. That is why believers must always fill their souls with divine peace which is the essence of eternal life, the precursor to greatness. Jesus taught the disciples to remain in the peace of the Spirit while looking to the promise,

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

Indeed, this divine peace differs from what the world has to offer. While divine peace has its origins from heaven and it is based on love and truth, the world’s peace has its origins from hell and it is based on selfishness and falsehood. And the world is passing away, and also its falsities, but the one who does what is true lives forever (see 1 John 2:17). Unfortunately, the world will continue to propagate the allure of false peace in order to deceive many. Paul said,

While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3

But only those who walk in faith will experience enduring wellness in their soul. And such will overcome various oppressions of the world through divine peace. That said, it is alarming that many in today’s churches do not experience divine peace. Rehearsing the promises does not seem to have an enduring effect. Even as many of them truly believe that Jesus can save them from hell, but they have no desire to live as Jesus lived. Even as they profess to believe Jesus in their minds, but in their hearts, they deny Him. Their apathy towards God’s word and the heavenly things attests to their unsuitability for the heavenly culture. Many have indeed mistaken the pleasures of the flesh for heaven’s pleasures. The apostle John said,

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4

Therefore, divine peace can only be acquired by surrendering one’s life unreservedly to live by faith; to embrace the life exemplified by Jesus. Indeed, Joseph is an exemplar of faith and obedience, who has never once grumbled against God despite his predicaments; who deals with integrity and treats with kindness those who has hurt him. As God is not one who shows partiality, what He has done for Joseph, he will likewise do for you if you fear Him and do what is right.

Application

You may be imprisoned in the bondage of regret, unforgiveness, and anger because you have often been unfairly treated. And you have done all you can to break free from these bondages. However, you are still entrapped by fear and hopelessness that rob you of the divine peace that you desired. God will do for you as He has done for Joseph if you will forgive their debts and set your eyes towards the heavenly life. God said to the people in the days of the prophet Joel,

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God. Joel 2:25a,26a

God is about to break the bondages in your life through the blood of Christ. Say the following prayer in all sincerity,

Dear Lord, I have decided to release my resentments and to forgive those who has harmed me. I believe they have been allowed to inflict harm on me so that I may be perfected. I open my heart to receive your resurrected Spirit and your blood that cleanses me from all hatred, unforgiveness and unbelief. I receive into my soul your truth and your divine peace. And I believe your truth has already set me free from all bondages.

Now, you will rebuke the evil spirits and send them to hell with the following words:

In Jesus’s name, I command the evil spirits to leave me: the spirit of hopelessness, abandonment, hate, unforgiveness, fear, guilt, sickness and poverty. I send you to hell and I command you to stay there forever.