Conveniently Forgotten, Part 3

Genesis 41:9

New International Version

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.

For Encouragement

The cupbearer was the appointed instrument of God to get Joseph out of prison into the palace of the Pharoah. He had his part to play in God’s script for the life of Joseph, a strategic part of His redemption plan. However, it had to wait until when God commissioned Pharaoh for his part on the big stage. Until then, the cupbearer suffered temporal amnesia.

Remember the golden number three in the scriptures? Call this one the trilogy of dreams. Joseph had his dreams, and they moved him to Egypt (Gen 37:6-11). The chief cupbearer had a dream, and it strategically placed him back into Pharaoh’s service. After two years, Pharaoh had the third set of dreams that set the stage for the uplifting of Joseph from prison to become the Prime Minister of Egypt. (Gen. 41:1-7). Isn’t God marvelous in His dealings with His creation?

None of Pharaoh’s wise men and magicians understood his dreams. God lifted the temporal amnesia of the cupbearer, and he remembered Joseph (9-14).

“Today, I have been reminded of my failure” (9nlt).

The cupbearer confessed his failure!

A trusted confidant may have conveniently forgotten you. It is their responsibility, not yours. Let them carry the burden, not you. If God has ordained that person to recommend you to somebody, the Holy Spirit will remind that person at the appointed time. His conviction is irresistible (Esther 6:1).

The cupbearer told Pharaoh about his dream and that of the baker in prison that troubled them. A young Hebrew fellow prisoner interpreted the dreams for them, and they happened just as he had predicted (10-13). His name is Joseph, and he knows the God whose business it is to interpret dreams (40:8).

Pharaoh sent his palace guards to the prison for Joseph. They cleaned him up, dressed him to fit the courts of the Pharoah, and brought him to Pharaoh. What followed is exactly how God had planned everything. Joseph’s interpretation made sense, and Pharaoh appointed him to manage the impending seven years of prosperity and seven years of famine and drought (41:41-44).

From prison to Prime Minister. Extraordinary!

The promotion seemed to be the climax of Joseph’s story, but no! It is a redemption story that would continue until our final redemption through Christ Jesus dawns.

 You may have nursed that disappointment for years and vowed never to forget or forgive that person. Please release that cupbearer from your heart with all the bitterness and allow the grace of God to embrace you with heaven’s freshness (Hebrews 12:15).

Remember the iconic response of Joseph to His still scheming brothers after the death of their father.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Gen 50:19-20). 

God’s purpose for your every bitter life situation is for your good and His purpose (Rom. 8:28).

Remember: If the person who conveniently forgot you had remembered you earlier, your story could have been different and maybe undesirable. Therefore, thank God for their amnesia—willful or otherwise.

Shalom