Living between death and resurrection.

The tension of God's promises in our lives.

A couple of weeks back we went through Genesis 40 on Sunday. There we see Joseph in prison sent to help two men bothered by their dreams. Joseph listens to their dreams and by God’s help gives the interpretation. In three days time the cup bearer is to be restored while the baker is to be hanged on a tree. All happens as Joseph interpreted. Joseph asks the cup bearer to remember him so that he may be rescued from prison yet the chapter ends with Joseph forgotten.

This is the question the chapter asks us. Is Joseph forgotten?

What do I mean? Joseph has met two men in trouble, in prison, distressed by their uncertain dreams. Is not Joseph himself in prison, in darkness, and didn’t his trouble begin with two dreams? The dreams of his childhood were of his brothers bowing down to him, and again, the sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him. His father and brothers gave the interpretation saying ‘are you indeed to reign over us?’ Yet now Joseph is locked away in prison. Is Joseph forgotten? Has God forgotten the dreams he gave to Joseph? Where is this ruling and reigning?

Yet, in this dark place of waiting, God sends Joseph two men. What lesson is God teaching him? Does Joseph not clearly see that each dream is fulfilled just as it was interpreted? And does this not mean that his own dreams will also come true? Each dream is fulfilled, and so, Joseph, wait in faith.

Joseph like many godly men is living in the wilderness. That is, he is living in the middle of that tension of having God’s promise and at the same time facing a different reality. Was not David anointed king yet had to live for years hiding in caves before becoming the new king? Does not the bible speak of us as having died with Christ, risen with Christ, and seated with Christ in heavenly places? Yet are we not clothed in weakness? Does not the bible speak of Christ receiving all authority and power, the nations are His inheritance, yet we see nations living in rebellion to his rule?

This is living in ‘the now and not yet’. Living in the tension of God’s promises. His word is true and it will be seen that it is true even though we may not see it today. Jesus himself did not die and immediately rise from the dead. No. Remember Holy Saturday. The day between the cross and resurrection. On Holy Saturday what did the disciples need to remember? They needed to remember what Jesus told them during communion meal. John 16:16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

Like the Baker, Jesus will hang on a tree and die. Yet like the Cup Bearer He will be restored rising from the dead on the third day. The bread will be broken but the wine of new life will be drunk. Jesus’ conversation at the communion table was to strengthen them during Holy Saturday and beyond.

It is no mistake that Joseph, forgotten in prison, is sent bread and wine, a baker and a cup bearer, to remind him of the truthfulness of God’s word. The dreams God gave him will come true. And each time we receive communion together we are strengthen to believe Christ’s word that we will see Him again shortly. Between Egypt and the promised land the people lived on bread from heaven.

Lastly, what is the timing of waiting working for Joseph? First he has become a help to other in similar distress. He knows what it is to be troubled by dreams. He offers help to the baker and cupbearer who are also troubled. Secondly, he is training for future glory. In the very next chapter Joseph will interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and become the ruler of Egypt. His time in the darkness is a training for future glory.

So let us also know that living between the cross and resurrection is a time of purpose and ministry. God is working in us for future glory and giving us opportunity to serve others in our weakness. He has not left us, no, He strengthens us even there with food from His table.