A Forgotten Promise
Introduction
Novelist Ayn Rand has mesmerized a student audience at Yale University with her prickly ideas. Afterward, a reporter from Time magazine asked, “Miss Rand, what’s wrong with the modern world?”
Without hesitation, she replied, “Never before has the world been so desperately asking for answers to crucial questions, and never before has the world been so frantically committed to the idea that no answers are possible. To paraphrase the Bible, the modern attitude is ‘Father, forgive us, for we know not what we are doing’–and please don’t tell us!”
Textual Idea: Joseph placed all his hopes on the cupbearer’s promise to inform Pharaoh about the injustice done to Joseph.
Thesis: Misplaced hope leads to disappointment, but hope placed in Jesus gives fulfillment.
This story of Joseph’s imprisonment shows us three areas where people build false hopes.
Hope Built on Works Is Dismissed as Duty
A. Exegesis, 39:21-40:4
- Joseph was a gifted administrator.
- Joseph poured himself into dutiful service.
- Joseph may have hoped that his usefulness would gain his freedom.
- Joseph was kept in prison because he became indispensable.
B. Illustration
Are You Tired? (from an article in 1980s) The population of this country is 220 million; 84 million are over 60 years of age, which leaves 136 million to do the work. People under 20 years of age total 95 million, which leaves 41 million to do the work. There are 22 million who are employed by the government, which leaves 19 million to do the work. Four million are in the armed forces, which leave 15 million to do the work. Deduct 14,800,000–the number in state and city offices, leaving 200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 in hospitals, insane asylums, etc.–that leaves 12,000 people to do the work. Now it may interest you to know that there are 11,998 people in jail, so that leaves just two people to carry the load and that’s you and me, brother, and I’m getting tired of doing everything myself!
C. Application
- Few are praised or recognized for doing what one is supposed to do.
- God will not save us for being good; that what we’re supposed to be in the first place.
- Works do not save us.
Hope Built on Man’s Promises Is Disregarded
A. Exegesis
- Pharaoh, angered at his cupbearer and baker, imprisoned them, 40:2-4.
- The cupbearer and baker both have dreams; they want to know their fate.
- Joseph rightly says that interpretations belong to God; God is everywhere, even behind prison walls, v. 8.
- a. Pharaoh will “lift up” the cupbearer’s head and restore him to service.
- b. Pharaoh will “lift off” the baker’s head and impale him on a tree in public.
- Joseph secures a promise from the cupbearer to intercede for him to Pharaoh, v. 14.
- Joseph’s interpretation for the baker seems heartless and flippant, but he needed to be prepared to die.
B. Illustration–Man is easily distracted. Jack and the Beanstalk
C. Application
- The only One Who does not forget His covenant with us is God.
- God’s Word sometimes seems heartless and harsh, but we need to know that we will die and we must be prepared to meet our Maker.
Hope Built on Desperation Is Disappointing
A. Exegesis, 40:23
- The cupbearer forgot about Joseph.
- Joseph desperately hoped that one day the cupbearer would remember.
- Joseph stayed in prison for an additional 2 years, 41:1.
B. Illustration
Have you heard the story of the long and rough Atlantic crossing where the seasick passenger was leaning over the rail of the ocean liner and had turned several shades of green? A steward came along and tried to cheer him up by saying, “Don’t be discouraged, sir! You know, no one’s ever died of seasickness yet!”
The nauseous passenger looked up at the steward with baleful eyes and replied: “Oh, don’t say that! It’s only the hope of dying that’s kept me alive this long!”
C. Application–Misplaced hope often ends in desperation and a longing for death.
Conclusion
The Good News is that hope rightly placed does not disappoint, not is the right hope dismissed or disregarded. If we want God to “lift us” out of our mess, we must “lift up” Jesus, John 3:14-15. Turn to Romans 5:1-5; only hope in Jesus achieves deliverance.
How does that apply to Joseph? Look at Genesis 41:1 & 9 (“two full years” & “I remember”). As soon as Joseph placed his hope in God, not his own devices or pride or works, God delivered him through imprisonment, made him prime minister of Egypt in order to save His people.
God’s providential care does not guarantee freedom from affliction, but preservation in adversity.
Christian, do you ever feel like you’re in a prison and that God and everyone has forgotten about you? Take heart. God knows where you are; He has not forgotten. Rather, God has devised this testing of you to prepare you for His Kingdom’s work. Remember Joseph. When he remembered God, God remembered him and made him Prime Minister of Egypt.
Friend, where are you putting your hope? Only hope in God through Jesus Christ will save you. When? Now, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, and make Him boss / Lord of your life.