Pointing to Jesus (Genesis 40)

Summary:

Genesis 40 continues Joseph’s story in prison, where Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker, having offended the king, are also imprisoned under Joseph’s care. 

Both have troubling dreams: the cupbearer sees a vine with three branches budding, blossoming, and producing grapes that he presses into Pharaoh’s cup; the baker dreams of three baskets of bread on his head, with birds eating from the top one. 

Joseph, empowered by God, interprets the dreams—the three branches/baskets represent three days: the cupbearer will be restored to his position, while the baker will be hanged. 

Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him and mention his innocence to Pharaoh. 

On Pharaoh’s birthday, the interpretations come true, but the cupbearer forgets Joseph.

Pointing to Jesus:

Joseph functions as a type of Christ in his God-given wisdom to interpret dreams that foretell death and life, illustrating divine sovereignty over human affairs and the doctrine of predestination. 

The cupbearer’s restoration after three days shadows Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 12:40; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4), while the baker’s execution points to judgment on sin—echoing how Christ, the sinless interpreter of God’s will, bears the curse of death for the elect (Galatians 3:13). 

This typology underscores total depravity in the forgetful cupbearer (humanity’s ingratitude) yet highlights irresistible grace: as Joseph’s interpretations advance God’s providential plan for redemption (Genesis 50:20), so Christ’s prophetic ministry and atoning work, eternally decreed, sovereignly saves the chosen despite betrayal, turning imprisonment into exaltation for eternal life (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30).

Reflection:

This inspires Christians to seek God’s wisdom in trials, trusting His predestined purposes even when forgotten or overlooked by others, as suffering refines faith and advances His kingdom. 

It encourages intercession for the lost, forgiveness amid ingratitude, and patient endurance, assured that union with the risen Christ guarantees our remembrance before the Father, fueling a life of hope, service, and reliance on sovereign grace to interpret life’s “dreams” redemptively.