Hopes Given, Dashed, and Fulfilled (Genesis 40)

Genesis 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

Joseph goes through many cycles of feeling hopeful that God is going to use Him and then having his hopes dashed through adverse circumstances.

He dreamed a dream as a young man of being a ruler only to be betrayed and sold into slavery. He was exalted in Potiphar’s house only to be lied about and throw into prison. He correctly interpreted a dream for Pharoah’s chief butler only to be forgotten about for two full years.

Over and over again, God seemed to be promising Joseph great things while at the same humbling and breaking him. It was not that God was toying with Joseph or lying to Joseph, he just had to make sure that when He used Joseph it was in the right way.

All of Joseph’s God-given dreams would eventually come true, and when they did, he was ready for them. He had the right attitude and gave God the glory for it all.

As much as we think we want the dream without the breaking, it is not what is best for us or what will give God the most glory. May God help us to see through the despair of the moment to the glory of God’s eternal plan.