Genesis 40:20 - Meaning and Application

This was the confirmation of Joseph’s interpretation, and it came on the very day he had named. The chief cupbearer was restored to his office, and the chief baker was executed, both at the end of the three days. This shows how quickly life can change, for good or for bad. The turns of human life can come suddenly, like a wheel spinning fast.

The judgment took place on Pharaoh’s birthday, when all his servants were expected to attend him. That gave the king a public occasion to examine the two prisoners and review why they had been kept in custody. Celebrating a ruler’s birthday was an old custom, and when it is not turned into vanity or sin, it can be harmless enough. We may also use our own birthdays well, by thanking God for the gift of life, grieving over the sin that belongs to our fallen nature, and remembering that the day of our death will be better than the day of our birth.

On Pharaoh’s birthday he “lifted up the head” of these two prisoners, meaning he brought them before him for trial. That phrase is also used when Naboth was tried and put on display before the people (1 Kings 21:9). Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer and hanged the chief baker. If the cupbearer was innocent and the baker guilty, then we see God’s justice in clearing the innocent and exposing the guilty. If both were either equally innocent or equally guilty, then this shows how arbitrary great rulers can be when they boast in power, like Nebuchadnezzar’s claim that he could kill or keep alive whom he pleased (Daniel 5:19). They forget that there is One above them to whom they must answer.

Joseph’s hope in the chief cupbearer was disappointed, because “he remembered not Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23). This is a clear case of shabby ingratitude. Joseph had served him well, comforted him, helped him understand his dream, and shown himself to be a remarkable man in every way, yet the cupbearer forgot him. We should not be surprised when this world gives hatred for love and coldness for kindness.

This also shows how easy it is for people who are comfortable to forget those who are suffering. The prophet may be alluding to this when he speaks of those who drink wine from bowls and are not troubled by Joseph’s affliction (Amos 6:6). From this, we should learn to stop leaning too much on human help. Joseph may have depended too much on the cupbearer and expected too much from him. Through this disappointment, he learned to trust God alone. We cannot expect too little from people, or too much from God.

Some have noticed a likeness between Joseph and Christ in this story. Joseph’s fellow prisoners were like the two criminals crucified with Christ, one saved and the other condemned. One forgot Joseph after being asked to remember him, but the other said to Christ, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom,” and was not forgotten. We rightly blame the cupbearer for his ingratitude to Joseph, yet we often behave even more wrongly toward the Lord Jesus. Joseph only foretold the cupbearer’s release, but Christ secured our release and pleaded for us before the King of kings. Even so, we forget him, though we are often reminded of him and have promised never to forget him. In this, we act badly indeed, like foolish and unwise people.