“And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly today?”
In this verse, we find Joseph, the son of Jacob, in the midst of his imprisonment in Egypt. Prior to this event, Joseph had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and ended up in Egypt, where he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. While in prison, Joseph gained favor with the prison keeper and was entrusted with overseeing other prisoners.
Genesis 40:7 occurs during Joseph’s time as a prisoner, and it highlights an interaction he had with two of Pharaoh’s officers who were also confined in the same prison. These officers were the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh. Both of them had dreams, and Joseph, who possessed the ability to interpret dreams through God’s guidance, noticed their downcast expressions and asked them why they appeared sad that day.
This verse reveals Joseph’s sensitivity and compassion toward others, despite his own challenging circumstances. Even while enduring personal hardship, Joseph showed concern for those around him and noticed the emotional state of his fellow prisoners. This attitude of empathy and care is an admirable trait that Joseph consistently demonstrated throughout his life.
Furthermore, this verse foreshadows the events that follow, as both the cupbearer and the baker share their dreams with Joseph, who interprets them correctly. The cupbearer’s dream predicts his release from prison and restoration to his position as Pharaoh’s cupbearer, while the baker’s dream predicts his execution. These interpretations eventually come to pass, validating Joseph’s gift of dream interpretation and setting the stage for his eventual release from prison and his rise to prominence in Egypt.
Genesis 40:7 serves as a reminder of Joseph’s character and his unwavering trust in God’s plan, even during difficult times. It also highlights the significance of Joseph’s God-given ability to interpret dreams, which played a crucial role in his own journey and the subsequent events that shaped the course of his life.
