Genesis 40:1-23 - Homiletics

Joseph in the round house at Heliopolis.

I. THE PRISONERS AND THEIR ATTENDANT .

1. The prisoners .

2. Their attendant . In this new capacity Joseph behaved himself wisely and with discretion. With regard to his illustrious companions in misfortune, he—

II. THE DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATIONS .

1. The dreams —

2. Their interpretations . These were—

III. THE INTERPRETER AND HIS REWARD .

1. The interpreter ' s request . Joseph desired in return for his services to the butler that a word should be spoken for him to the king by that officer when restored to his occupation, in the hope that it might lead to his release from confinement. For this conduct Joseph has been blamed by some censorious critics; but

2. The interpreter ' s reward . "Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him." This must have been

Learn—

1. That God's saints are sometimes thrown by Divine providence into companionship with the worst of men.

2. That the excellent of the earth are often found filling the very humblest situations.

3. That God has many different methods of discovering his mind to men.

4. That God is able to fulfill his own predictions.

5. That wicked men sometimes meet their deserts in this life.

6. That God's people should sympathize with and succor their fellow-men.

7. That they who do good to others should hope for nothing again.