From The Pit of Dispair to the Power of the Prime Minister

Joseph was separated from his family and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. They sold Joseph to Midianite traders, who eventually sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Joseph spent thirteen years as both a slave and a prisoner. While imprisoned in Pharaoh’s dungeon, he came into contact with Pharaoh’s butler and baker. During this difficult season of his life, Joseph utilized the God-given gift of interpreting dreams to serve others. As they were imprisoned together, both men had dreams they did not understand. Joseph interpreted their dreams, and each dream came to pass exactly as he had said.

Both men’s dreams are recorded in Genesis 40:8–13, 16–19, which states:

“[8] And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you. [9] And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; [10] And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: [11] And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. [12] And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: [13] Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler…[16] When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: [17] And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. [18] And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: [19] Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.”

This episode in Joseph’s life teaches us that God grants us gifts that we should use regardless of our circumstances or the outcome. Even while suffering as a prisoner, Joseph remained faithful to God and willing to serve others. Additionally, when we are in our trials, God is still with us. God made a way for Joseph to rise from the depths of the dungeon to the heights of power because Joseph remained faithful, humble, and willing to give of himself in service to others. Likewise, we must learn how to serve others and remain faithful, even during seasons of hardship and obscurity.

Joseph’s rise to power would not happen overnight. It took two more years, but the way was paved by his encounter with the baker and the butler. Pharaoh later had a dream that no one could interpret. However, the butler remembered his experience in prison, where Joseph had interpreted both his dream and the baker’s dream. Genesis 41:1, 9–13 states:

“[1] And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river…[9] Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: [10] Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker: [11] And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. [12] And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. [13] And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.”

Pharaoh then called for Joseph to come out of prison and interpret his dream. Joseph explained the meaning of Pharaoh’s dream in Genesis 41:28–33:

“[28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. [29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: [30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; [31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. [32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.”

At this point, Pharaoh appointed Joseph to oversee the effort to prepare Egypt for the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine. Joseph, the son of Jacob a former slave and prisoner for thirteen years was elevated after years of suffering and obscurity to become second in command over all Egypt. God had been preparing Joseph through every trial, betrayal, and hardship for this very moment.

Joseph’s journey reminds us that God never wastes our pain, our prison, or our process. The dungeon was not the end of Joseph’s story; it was preparation for his destiny. While others saw a slave and prisoner, God saw a leader who would preserve nations. Likewise, the trials we endure today may actually be God preparing us for greater usefulness tomorrow.

Sometimes God allows us to be confined in places that develop our character before He releases us into our calling. Joseph learned faithfulness in slavery, patience in suffering, humility in obscurity, and wisdom in adversity before he ever sat in the palace. Had God elevated Joseph too early, he may not have been prepared for the responsibility of leadership.

The same God who was with Joseph in the pit, in Potiphar’s house, and in the prison was also with him in the palace. That means our present condition does not determine God’s ultimate purpose for our lives. Your setback may actually be preparation for your promotion. Your trial may be training for your testimony. Your season of obscurity may be the very process God is using to position you for greater service in His kingdom.

Therefore, do not allow hardship to make you bitter, faithless, or unwilling to serve. Continue using the gifts God has given you, continue serving others with humility, and continue trusting God’s timing. For when God opens the door no man can shut it, and when God elevates a person, no circumstance, prison, betrayal, or opposition can prevent His divine purpose from coming to pass.