Bible Commentaries
Genesis 40

Verses 1-23

The works of God are ever characterized by simplicity. No study is more fascinating in the Divine Oracles or in human experience than the wonderful mosaic of the divine government. If it may be stated reverently, it 'would seem as though there are no forces or facts on which God does not lay His hand in quiet strength and majesty and make them tributary to the accomplishment of His purpose.

He now worked certainly through the uncertain method of dreams. Prisoners, and Pharaoh, as we shall presently see, were troubled in the night and through such troubling God proceeded in carrying out His designs. When the butler and the baker dreamed and told their dreams to Joseph, he is revealed as a man still dependent on God, declaring that the interpretation of dreams belongs to Him.

There is a human touch in Joseph's request to the butler, "Have me in thy remembrance." He was conscious of the limitation of his life and evidently sighed for liberty as does every healthy man.

There is another human touch, and as natural but sad, in the words, "the . . . butler . . . forgat him." It is good to remember that God did not forget him.