seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 40:20 Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Bible.org had the least preachy commentary this morning.
Impossible as it seems, the butler forgot all about Joseph for two years. Perhaps at first the butler intended to keep his promise to Joseph but never found the right moment to mention the injustice done to Joseph. As the days went by, thoughts of Joseph’s sufferings were suppressed, along with all the other painful memories triggered by any recollection of that prison.
This is from bible-commentaries.com.
Three days later, at Pharaoh's birthday, Joseph's predictions come true. The cupbearer is rehabilitated and the baker is executed. The cupbearer celebrates his restoration by wiping the whole episode of his mind, including Joseph who had predicted his return to favor. This meant that Joseph would have to suffer two more years in prison. It wasn't until Pharaoh had his dream that Joseph understood why. If the cupbearer had remember Joseph earlier and if his intercession would have gained him his freedom from prison, it would probably have meant a return to slavery. His deliverance two years later meant his promotion to power in Egypt. God's timing was perfect. If only he would have known this.
