May 26, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 40 –Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison

God’s Guidance Even in Apparent Oblivion

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Bible Text – Genesis 40 (KJV)

¹ 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.

² And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

³ And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

⁴ And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

⁵ And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

⁶ And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.

⁷ And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?

⁸ And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

⁹ And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;

¹⁰ 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:

¹¹ 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.

¹² And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ 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:

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:

¹⁷ And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

¹⁸ And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

¹⁹ Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

²⁰ And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

²¹ And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:

²² But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

²³ Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

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Introduction

In Genesis 40 we find Joseph again in an Egyptian prison—this time serving as interpreter of dreams for two high-ranking officials. Though unjustly imprisoned, Joseph uses his God-given gift to offer hope and insight. These episodes teach us that God’s talents operate even in our darkest valleys, and human forgetfulness can never derail His sovereign plan.

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Commentary

1. Contrast of Guilt and Grace (vv. 1–4)

   • The cupbearer and baker fall into sin and are imprisoned.

   • Joseph, though also confined, is elevated to serve and advise—showing that God’s favor does not depend on human merit.

2. Divine Revelation through Dreams (vv. 5–8)

   • Both officials dream on the same night, yet have no one to interpret.

   • Joseph humbly credits God: “Interpretation belongs to God,” inviting them to share their dreams.

3. Interpretation of the Vinedresser (vv. 9–14)

   • Three branches represent three days until the cupbearer’s restoration.

   • Joseph not only delivers the promise but pleads for advocacy—trusting in God’s justice and mercy.

4. Interpretation of the Baker’s Basket (vv. 16–19)

   • Three baskets symbolize three days until the baker’s execution.

   • The accuracy of Joseph’s word is confirmed by events in vv. 20–22.

5. Human Forgetting vs. God’s Plan (v. 23)

   • Despite his deliverance, the cupbearer forgets Joseph.

   • Yet human neglect cannot thwart God’s timing—Joseph remains under God’s care.

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Summary

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s cupbearer’s and baker’s dreams: one is restored, the other executed after three days. Though the cupbearer forgets Joseph, the narrative highlights that God’s revelations are true and His grace endures, even when people overlook us.

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Message for Today

• God Works in Hard Places: Even in adversity, God equips us to serve others.

• Humble Trust in God’s Wisdom: Seek and honor God’s guidance, acknowledging it comes from Him alone.

• Patience with God’s Timing: Human forgetfulness should not discourage us—God’s plan is sure.

• Intercede for One Another: Like Joseph’s plea, we too can advocate for each other, trusting God to act.

May we remember that in every situation, God is at work, using our gifts to bring hope and light—regardless of whether the world notices.

~~~~~ ~~~~~

May 25 – 31, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 7

The Flood

Read online here

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Introduction

In a world once of paradisiacal beauty, deep corruption reigned: idolatry, violence, and moral decay had driven out trust in the Creator. When God saw that “every intent of the thoughts of [people’s] hearts was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), He announced a worldwide judgment by water—and at the same time provided a means of rescue: Noah’s Ark.

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Commentary

1.The Earth’s Fatal Condition

• • Corrupted by idolatry and self-deification

  • Adultery, violence, and licentiousness: violations of God’s order for life

2.Noah’s Commission and Preparation

• • 120 years of Ark-building as a living warning

  • Preaching repentance and extending an invitation to salvation

3.God’s Deliverance for Noah and His Family

• • The Ark as a sign of divine grace and obedience

  • The closing of the door: the end of all opportunity for repentance

4.The Day of Judgment in the Flood

• • The bursting of the subterranean springs and the opening of the heavens

  • Destruction of the unrepentant; preservation of the righteous

5.A Type of the Final Judgment

• • Parallels between Noah’s day and the last days (Matt. 24:38–39; 2 Pet. 3)

  • God’s warning and invitation remain in effect until Christ’s return

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Summary

The pre-Flood generation abused God’s gifts and life itself, denied Him, and forged their own destruction in sin. God revealed His judgment to Noah, yet at the same time offered rescue to him and his family through the Ark. Those who heeded God’s call were saved; those who persisted in rebellion were swept away in judgment. The Flood displays both God’s holy justice and His merciful deliverance for all who believe and obey.

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Message for Us Today

• Watchfulness and Repentance: As in Noah’s day, our hearts can easily be seized by selfishness and excess. God’s warning calls us to turn from sin and live holy lives.

• Obedience as Deliverance: Those who heed God’s voice and walk in His ways find rescue—not by their own merit, but by His grace.

• Eschatological Parallel: The Flood is a sobering picture of Christ’s coming judgment. Let us prepare by living in faith, shunning sin, and sharing the saving message with others.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/26-05-2025-genesis-chapter-40-believe-his-prophets/