Joseph's Life StorySample

Forgotten and left alone

Joseph had helped the chief cupbearer by interpreting his dream. It was only logical to ask the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh once he was restored to his position. After all, Joseph was convinced that his imprisonment was unjust, he had done nothing wrong!

The cupbearer was allowed to work for Pharaoh again, but he did not remember Joseph’s request. Apparently, he only needed Joseph when he was in a hopeless situation himself, but once his problems were over, he forgot about him. That’s really ungrateful!

The behavior of the cupbearer is a sharp contrast to God’s faithfulness, and also to Joseph’s attitude. Even if we are in a hopeless situation and ask ourselves whether the Lord has forgotten about us, He remains faithful to His promises. We don’t always see how God fulfills His plans, or why we have to wait so long. But one thing is sure: we don’t wait in vain; God does not forget us.

Eventually, God Himself will change Joseph’s situation. Ironically, He will do so by reminding the cupbearer of “a young Hebrew … a servant of the captain of the guard” by fresh dreams.

This story reminds us of an important truth: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation … Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Psalm 146:3,5).

In whom do you put your trust when you are in trouble?