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Commentary on Genesis 40 verses 20–23
Here is, 1. The verifying of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams, on the very day prefixed. The chief butler and baker were both advanced, one to his office, the other to the gallows, and both at the three days' end. Note, Very great changes, both for the better and for the worse, often happen in a very little time, so sudden are the revolutions of the wheel of nature. The occasion of giving judgement severally upon their case was the solemnizing of Pharaoh's birthday, on which, all his servants being obliged by custom to attend him, these two came to be enquired after, and the cause of their commitment looked into. The solemnizing of the birthday of princes has been an ancient piece of respect done them; and if it be not abused, as Jeroboam's was (Hos 7:5), and Herod's (Mar 6:21), is a usage innocent enough: and we may all profitably take notice of our birthdays, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of it, and an expectation of the day of our death as better than the day of our birth. On Pharaoh's birthday he lifted up the head of these two prisoners, that is, arraigned and tried them (when Naboth was tried he was set on high among the people, Kg1 21:9), and he restored the chief butler, and hanged the chief baker. If the butler was innocent and the baker guilty, we must own the equity of Providence in clearing up the innocency of the innocent, and making the sin of the guilty to find him out. If both were either equally innocent or equally guilty, it is an instance of the arbitrariness of such great princes as pride themselves in that power which Nebuchadnezzar set up for (Dan 5:19, whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive), forgetting that there is a higher than they, to whom they are accountable. 2. The disappointing of Joseph's expectation from the chief butler: He remembered not Joseph, but forgot him, Gen 40:23. (1.) See here an instance of base ingratitude; Joseph had deserved well at his hands, had ministered to him, sympathized with him, helped him to a favourable interpretation of his dream, had recommended himself to him as an extraordinary person upon all accounts; and yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange if in this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for our respects. (2.) See how apt those that are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress. Perhaps it is in allusion to this story that the prophet speaks of those that drink wine in bowls, and are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, Amo 6:6. Let us learn hence to cease from man. Joseph perhaps depended too much upon his interest in the chief butler, and promised himself too much from him; he learned by his disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God.
Some observe the resemblance between Joseph and Christ in this story. Joseph's fellow-sufferers were like the two thieves that were crucified with Christ - the one saved, the other condemned. (It is Dr. Lightfoot's remark, from Mr. Broughton.) One of these, when Joseph said to him, Remember me when it shall be well with thee, forget him; but one of those, when he said to Christ, Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom, was not forgotten. We justly blame the chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we conduct ourselves much more disingenuously towards the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours, mediated with the King of kings for us; yet we forget him, though often reminded of him, though we have promised never to forget him: thus ill do we requite him, like foolish people and unwise.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 40:20 chronicles the precise and public fulfillment of Joseph's divinely inspired interpretations for Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker. On the occasion of Pharaoh's birthday, a day marked by royal celebration and decrees, the chief butler was triumphantly restored to his former esteemed position, while the chief baker was tragically executed, exactly as Joseph had foretold three days prior. This pivotal event powerfully underscores God's meticulous sovereignty over human affairs, His perfect timing, and the absolute accuracy of His revealed word, even in the seemingly secular context of a pagan court.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs Idiom and Juxtaposition. The phrase "lifted up the head" (Hebrew: nasa' ro'sh) functions as a clever Double Entendre, carrying two diametrically opposed meanings depending on the context of the individual. For the butler, it signified restoration and honor, a lifting from shame. For the baker, it meant execution, a lifting of his head for capital punishment. This linguistic device, understood and utilized by Joseph, underscores the precision of divine revelation. Furthermore, the verse uses Juxtaposition by presenting the contrasting fates of the two men—one restored, the other executed—within the same sentence and on the same significant day. This stark comparison not only highlights the accuracy of Joseph's prophecy but also serves as a powerful illustration of divine justice and judgment, demonstrating the differing outcomes that await individuals based on God's sovereign decree.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 40:20 provides a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His meticulous sovereignty and the unerring accuracy of His prophetic word. Even in the seemingly secular context of a pagan king's birthday feast, God orchestrates events to fulfill His predetermined purposes. The "third day" fulfillment underscores God's perfect timing, reinforcing that His plans unfold precisely when and how He intends, often at climactic moments. This event not only validates Joseph's divine gift but also serves as a crucial step in God's larger redemptive plan, preparing the way for Joseph's eventual elevation and the preservation of Jacob's family during the coming famine. It is a testament to God's faithfulness, even when His instruments (like Joseph) are forgotten or seemingly abandoned.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 40:20 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating periods of waiting, uncertainty, or injustice. Joseph, despite accurately interpreting the dreams and requesting remembrance, remained in prison for two more years (Genesis 41:1). This verse, however, assures us that even when God's plans seem delayed or forgotten by others, His timing is perfect, and His word will unfailingly come to pass. It reminds us to trust in God's unwavering reliability and His sovereign orchestration of all events, even the mundane or seemingly adverse ones, for His ultimate purposes. Our circumstances, no matter how bleak, are always under His control, and He is actively working behind the scenes to bring about His good and perfect will, often through unexpected means and at precisely the right moment. This narrative provides a powerful anchor for our faith, assuring us that God never forgets His own and that His promises are always true.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "the third day" in this passage?
Answer: The "third day" is highly significant because it marks the precise fulfillment of Joseph's prophecies for both the chief butler and the chief baker. It demonstrates the exactness of God's timing and the unwavering reliability of His word, thereby reinforcing Joseph's divine inspiration. This specific timeframe, foretold by Joseph, underscores that God's plans unfold with perfect accuracy. Furthermore, the "third day" is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, often associated with divine intervention, resurrection, or a new beginning, adding a layer of thematic depth to this immediate fulfillment, as seen later in the ultimate "third day" event of Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4).
Why is Pharaoh's birthday mentioned as the setting for these events?
Answer: Pharaoh's birthday is mentioned to highlight God's sovereign use of a seemingly ordinary, and even secular, cultural occasion to bring about His divine will. In ancient Egypt, royal birthdays were significant events often marked by grand feasts, public decrees, and acts of clemency or judgment. By orchestrating the fulfillment of Joseph's prophecies on this specific day, God used a culturally relevant and public setting to confirm Joseph's prophetic gift and advance His overarching plan. This demonstrates that God's providence extends to all aspects of human life, even within pagan courts and through human customs, showcasing His absolute control over all circumstances.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 40:20, with its striking themes of judgment, restoration, and the "third day" fulfillment of prophecy, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Joseph, as an interpreter of God's will and an instrument through whom both judgment and salvation are revealed, serves as a type of Christ, the ultimate revealer of God's truth (Hebrews 1:1-2). Just as the chief butler was "lifted up" to restoration and the chief baker "lifted up" to judgment on the third day, so too was Christ "lifted up" on the cross (John 3:14-15), leading to the ultimate judgment of sin and the offer of restoration and eternal life for all who believe (John 12:32). His glorious resurrection on the "third day" (Luke 24:46) is the ultimate fulfillment of divine prophecy, signifying His victory over death and the establishment of a new covenant. Through Christ, spiritual liberation is offered to those who were imprisoned by sin (Romans 8:2), while those who reject Him face eternal judgment (John 3:18).