Lesson 3
Read Genesis 40 - https://www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.40.esv
- Optimism – hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something
- Kindness – being friendly, generous, and considerate, not expecting anything in return
- Concern – something that is of interest, important or worrisome

The head cupbearer of Egypt’s king along with the head baker made the king furious one day. He had them thrown in the same jail where Joseph was held. Joseph was assigned to take care of their needs by the captain of the guard.

Some days later, both the cupbearer and the baker had dreams on the same night. The next morning, Joseph noticed they were looking sad, was concerned, and asked them what was wrong.

“We both had dreams last night, and no one can tell us what they mean.”

Joseph replied humbly, but with optimism, “Interpretations come from God. Tell me your dreams.”

The head cupbearer’s dream had a vine with three branches which budded, bloomed, and had ripe grapes on it. In his dream, the cupbearer took the grapes and squeezed them into a cup and gave the cup to Pharaoh.

Joseph explained, “The three branches mean three days. Within three days Pharaoh will have you out of jail and doing your old job. Kindly remember me here in prison when you’re back serving Pharaoh – tell him about me and help me get out. I was kidnapped from my Hebrew homeland and have done nothing to deserve being imprisoned.”

The head baker was encouraged by the good interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream, so he told Joseph his dream. He saw three wicker baskets balanced on his head. The birds were helping themselves to the assorted pastries from the bakery that were in the top basket.

Joseph reluctantly revealed God’s interpretation to the baker: “The three baskets are three days. In three days, Pharaoh will have you killed.”

On the third day after the cupbearer and baker were released from jail, Pharaoh threw a birthday party for himself. The head cupbearer and the head baker were placed in places of honor at his table. He restored the head cupbearer to his former position, but he had the head baker killed, just as Joseph had predicted.

But instead of remembering the kindness of Joseph and speaking to Pharaoh about him, as Joseph had requested, the cupbearer forgot all about him.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*How did Joseph know something was wrong with the cupbearer and the baker?
*How could you show the same kind of concern for others?
*What do you think helped Joseph to trust God when people forgot him?
*In what situations do you need to remember God will never forget you?