Reminded of Joseph

Genesis 41:1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted– thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. 8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.  9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.”

Memory is a strange thing.  Dementia aside, often we remember what we want to remember and recall what’s important to us.  Memories can fade with time, but in the cupbearer’s case, he had every reason to remember Joseph earlier, but he didn’t.  This memory had not faded, it was just not front-of-mind.  Only when the Pharaoh was troubled by a dream, did the cupbearer remember. It’s as if God unleashed the memory in His perfect timing.

The artful use of time in God’s plan is evident as the cupbearer
finally remembers when it will make a true difference and accomplish God’s purpose.

Think about it:

• If the cupbearer remembered right away and had spoken promptly, what reason would Pharaoh have had to free Joseph? 
• How does genuine need make action more urgent?  How did the Pharaoh’s need prompt the cupbearer to offer what he now remembered? 
• With God, timing is perfect.  Whether it was the timing of two years passing (above), or the enslavement of the Hebrews for 400 years (Genesis 15:13-16), sealing up the word of prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27), the arrival of the Messiah (Galatians 4:4-5), Jesus’ departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 16), the hardening of the Israelites (Romans 11:25-36),  or His Second Advent for final Judgment (Matthew 24:29-36).
• How do all of these display God’s use of time, even delay, extending further opportunities for us to remember … Him?