Expectation Deferred

Gen 40:13 In three days the king will release you, pardon you, and restore you to your position. You will give him his cup as you did before when you were his wine steward.

Gen 40:14 But please remember me when everything is going well for you, and please be kind enough to mention me to the king and help me get out of this prison.

Gen 40:15 After all, I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here in Egypt I didn't do anything to deserve being put in prison."

Gen 40:23 But the wine steward never gave Joseph another thought---he forgot all about him.

Joseph had all the reason to expect that release was right there. He said good-bye to his friend the wine-steward, three days later. Then he waited, maybe even telling people that his time has come. He’d be out of there within a day or two. But the days passed, and then the weeks. How long did Joseph keep his hope up? Maybe a week? Then he must have started realizing, that this was not going to happen.

“Maybe,” he would start telling himself, “he is just waiting for the right moment, to speak to the King.”

But eventually, Joseph must have realized that he was to continue his life in prison. In his mind’s eye, he could see the wine steward living out his full calling and purpose.

Another two years!

And how long did he have to wait, again?

Gen 41:1 After two years had passed, the king of Egypt dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River,

Two years! That is a long time, especially for a young man. Especially to be stuck in a prison for having done absolutely nothing wrong! Especially when there had been a time when you had almost smelt the fresh air of freedom. But it took two years before God supernaturally intervened, sending the king of Egypt this dream, and finally moving Joseph into the place where he needed to be.

Where are you today? Has your expectation been deferred? Don’t give up. Don’t stop dreaming. Above all, don’t stop using every moment, to form and shape your character, to become the man that you will need to be, the day that the king of Egypt, whoever he might be in your life, reaches the point where God touches him, and he suddenly realized that he needs you.

Joseph made sure that he stayed close to God – ready at any moment

And what makes me think that Joseph used his time well, during these two years? I see it in this bit of history:

Gen 41:14 The king sent for Joseph, and he was immediately brought from the prison. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came into the king's presence.

Gen 41:15 The king said to him, "I have had a dream, and no one can explain it. I have been told that you can interpret dreams."

Gen 41:16 Joseph answered, "I cannot, Your Majesty, but God will give a favorable interpretation."

Joseph was given no time to pull his life together. He didn’t have time to suddenly make up for having allowed himself to drift away from God. He had no time to practice his gift a few days and really get close to God. No, he was IMMEDIATELY brought from the prison, given time to shave and change clothes and then he was before the king. In his answer, I see a man who is as close to God as he could ever be. I see a man who had no fear to stand before the most powerful man on earth, and answer with full faith and confidence.

I see a man who kept himself ready, for two years, ready at any moment, to step into his calling.