I Don't Understand

January 22

Genesis 39-40

Psalm 13

Proverbs 3:9-10

Matthew 14:1-21

I Don’t Understand

“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.  The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” 

Genesis 39:20, 40:23 NIV

Joseph did everything right.  When faced with temptation, he not only avoided the sin, but he also ran from it.  Potiphar’s wife was apparently not used to being told no and she decided to lie and say that Joseph had tried to force himself on her.  Understandably, her husband had Joseph thrown in prison.  Even there, God showed him favor and he was put in charge of the other men who were being held in prison. His true nature and his integrity were evident despite the false accusations.  Genesis 39:23 tells us that “the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”  (NIV) Sometime later, Joseph was given the opportunity to interpret the dreams of the chief cupbearer and baker.  He was hoping this would provide the way out of prison for him.  Unfortunately, this was not the case because the cupbearer forgot him, and he would have to remain in prison for 2 more years. 

This must have been a very difficult time for Joseph.  He could not see how God was working.  He couldn’t see that he needed to be thrown in prison to meet the cupbearer and interpret his dream.  He couldn’t see that after 2 full years the cupbearer would remember him and tell Pharoah about him.   He didn’t know that he would have the opportunity to interpret Pharoah’s dream and would be put in charge of all of Egypt or that God would use him to preserve his family during the famine and establish them into His chosen nation.  Joseph could not see what was going to happen.  But God could see.   A couple of days ago we looked at Proverbs 3:5-6.  It says to trust in the Lord and not to rely on our own understanding.  If Joseph relied on his understanding, he would certainly have lost hope.  He could not see that God had a plan and was working out the details.  But he trusted God and God used him in a mighty way.  It gives me great comfort to know that even when I don’t understand, He has it all figured out.