I walked into a classroom, sat down, and settled in. I opened my notebook, got my pen in writing position, and after the first few exchanges I realized quickly, this class was not what I thought it would be. Tension filled the space when I expected practical skills and helpful attitude. The professor seemed more focused on personal advancement than developing strong researchers. The class was scheduled to last for four hours – my phone was in my car. I didn’t have a watch. The room had no clock.

Some time passed. I had no idea how much, but it certainly wasn’t enough.

The same thing will happen on a bad running day. Ever so often, I’ll decide to take up running. The beginning of the journey always comes with dreaded conditioning. Living in Kentucky, I get the itch to run in the spring and fall, but avoid it in hot summers and frigid winters. When I stick with it, I can run 7 miles without much thought. When I start back up, I will find myself wondering how close I am to hitting one tenth of a mile for the entire single mile until I can’t move my legs anymore and fall onto the bed. Even with my run tracker app, without the time in my face, I know some time passed, but it never seems like enough during those first weeks of conditioning. I will grab my phone, open the screen just to see the .09 turn to .1 and the .19 to .2 and the .29 to .3…. you the point.

In Genesis 40 we join Joseph in prison and it starts with ‘some time after this…” So some time after the incarceration of Joseph and the prison keeper granted Joseph leadership, two prisoners joined Joseph from the house of Pharaoh. I am sure for Joseph, he wondered about the time. How long has prison been my home? Where as I had a four hour class or a one mile goal as a finish line, Joseph woke up day-after-day with no finish line in sight.

The two prisoners came from the house of Pharaoh, a cupbearer and chief baker, and the prison keeper put them under the direction of Joseph. They “continued for some time in custody” (Gen. 40:4b). For some time, Joseph attended to the two prisoners. Joseph didn’t stop at attending to physical needs, but also cared about them as humans. Joseph comes to check on them in the morning and notices they are “troubled” (Gen. 40:6b), so he asks them why they seem down. Prison keepers would not be required to care for the emotional or mental health of their prisoners, but Joseph wasn’t a prison keeper. The Lord was with him in prison – using him and growing him in every situation.

The cupbearer and chief baker share their dreams with Joseph and he interprets them. For both, there were symbols indicating a three-day time period. For the cupbearer the end results would be restoration, for the chief baker – death. Two dreams, two different results. As Joseph tells the cupbearer about his restoration in 3-days Joseph sees a finish line! In three days this man who he has cared for over the course of “some time” would sit in the presence of Pharaoh and could request Joseph’s release! Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him and advocate for his release. Not with a simple request, but a heartfelt begging – get — me — out — of — this — house.

Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.

Genesis 40:14, ESV, Holy Bible, Emphasis added

And while all of the interpretations came true, the cupbearer forgot Joseph.

When I first read Chapter 40, I caught myself finding hope in the release of the cupbearer for Joseph and disappointment for forgetting Joseph. I read it a second time and the idea of Joseph not only interpreting his dreams but caring for him physically, emotionally, and mentally for some time only to be forgotten angered me. It hits on feelings close to the heart – pouring ourselves into someone and not receiving gratitude, feeling left out, or simply forgotten. If I stay there too long, a void will enter my heart and I can literally feel my heart become harder.

It would be two-years later (Genesis 41) when Pharaoh himself wakes up from a detailed dream and he calls for every known magician and wise men to interpret his dream but none could (Genesis 41:8). Then the cupbearer comes to Pharaoh and says, “Oh I remember this guy in prison…he interpreted a dream about my release and he was right” (Gen. 41:9). OH YOU REMEMBER NOW! Literally, my first reaction still comes from hurt and I know the end of the story! Nonetheless, Pharaoh sends for Joseph to interpret his dream.

Joseph interprets the dream of Pharaoh with the discernment and wisdom of a man of God – one who suffered and succeeded at the hand of a sovereign Lord. As Joseph details the warnings from the dream, he shares the protection and providence in the warning. There will be 7-years of good harvest and then 7-years of famine – plan accordingly.

Pharaoh follows the same pattern as Potiphar and the prison keeper – Joseph is put in charge over the house of Pharoah and all the land of Egypt! As frustrated and angry as I became over the forgetfulness of the cupbearer, had he immediately advocated for the release of Joseph he would have missed the Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph would be released from his suffering but not into the glory of God’s plan for his life. The hesitation of the cupbearer gave way to Joseph’s rule and providence for Egypt.

Some time may be passing and you can’t see a finish line. You may feel forgotten. Stay close to the steadfast love of God. He holds you close, not for some time, but for all time.