PART 5 – JOSEPH IN THE PRISON: FAITHFULNESS BEHIND THE BARS
Series: JOSEPH – FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE (15‑Part Bible Study)
Main Scripture: Genesis 39:21‑40:23
Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 46:1‑2; Romans 8:28; Psalm 105:16‑19; Ecclesiastes 3:1
📌 Opening Background
Joseph was thrown into the king’s prison for a crime he never committed. From the pit to Potiphar’s house, and now to the prison. Everything seemed to be going backwards. Yet even inside the prison walls, the Lord was with Joseph. The prison keeper saw Joseph’s excellent spirit and put him in charge of all the other prisoners. While in prison, Joseph met Pharaoh’s butler and baker, interpreted their dreams, and asked the butler to remember him to Pharaoh once restored. Sadly, the butler forgot Joseph for two full years. This study teaches us about the long, forgotten waiting seasons where even after you have done everything right, you still must wait on God’s perfect timing for your deliverance and promotion.
📝 Verse‑by‑Verse Breakdown
Genesis 39:21‑23 – The Lord was with Joseph in prison
“But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and whatsoever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”
The most repeated truth in Joseph’s story: The Lord was with him. Not just in the palace‑preparation season in Potiphar’s house but also in the darkest confinement of the prison. The prison keeper could see the difference in Joseph’s attitude and work ethic. Joseph did not walk around bitter, complaining about the injustice done to him. He served faithfully even behind bars. He was given authority over the other prisoners. Notice: God will promote you inside your prison before He brings you out of it. Your character is refined in the confined, limited space before your doors of opportunity open.
Genesis 40:1‑8 – The butler and the baker are brought to the prison
“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in ward in his lord’s prison, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.”
Joseph noticed their sorrow and reached out to them. Even while imprisoned himself, he was still caring for others. He pointed them straight to God as the One who gave dream interpretations. This reveals Joseph’s maturity: he knew the gifts were not his own. They came from the Lord. God was bringing the very people into Joseph’s prison cell, who would later become the pathway to Pharaoh. Even in confinement, God is arranging the right connections for your lifting up.
Genesis 40:9‑15 – The butler’s dream and Joseph’s plea to be remembered
“And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; And in the vine were three branches… And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: the three branches are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.”
Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream: in three days, the butler would be restored to his position. Joseph made a reasonable, humble request: remember me, speak for me, get me out of prison. Joseph was human; he was ready to be released. He thought the butler would be his ticket out of confinement. Sometimes, God will give you a sign that breakthrough is near, yet you still must wait longer than you expect.
Genesis 40:16‑23 – The baker’s dream and the butler’s forgetfulness
“When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream… And Joseph said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants… And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: But he forgot not the chief baker; he hanged him, as Joseph had interpreted. Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.”
Joseph’s interpretations came to pass exactly as he had spoken. The butler was restored, and the baker was executed. And the butler forgot Joseph for two whole years. Two more long, lonely years inside the prison. This is one of the hardest lessons of the Christian walk: people you trusted to help you may forget you. Human help will fail you, but God never forgets you. Those two extra years were the final finishing touches on Joseph’s character before he stood before Pharaoh.
💡 Key Biblical Lessons
Lesson #1: God’s presence is inside your prison
No matter how confined, unjust, and hopeless your situation feels, the Lord is right there with you. He has not abandoned you.
Lesson #2: Be faithful with your duties, even behind bars
Joseph served well in prison. Your promotion does not start when you get out of trouble; it starts with how you behave while you are still in trouble.
Lesson #3: God will send people into your hard season to prepare your breakthrough
The butler and baker were sent to Joseph’s prison cell by divine appointment. Even in your lowest place, God is working on your connections and opportunities.
Lesson #4: People may forget you, but God never forgets you
The butler forgot Joseph, but God had a perfect two‑year timeline. Do not put your hope in human helpers; put your hope in the Lord alone.
Lesson #5: There is a set, appointed time for your lifting
Two extra years of waiting were necessary for Joseph. God’s timing is never late. He is just finishing everything that needs to be finished in you before your elevation.
🙋 Reflection & Group Discussion Questions
1. What is my “prison” season right now? A situation I feel trapped and forgotten in?
2. Am I serving faithfully in my prison, or am I bitter and complaining every day?
3. Have I been putting my hope in a person to deliver me instead of trusting God’s timing?
4. How can I keep my hope alive while I wait for God’s appointed time for my breakthrough?
5. Who is someone in my life’s “prison” season that I can encourage and help, just like Joseph helped the butler and baker?
🤲 Closing Prayer for Part 5
Father in heaven, thank You that You are with me in my prison season. Help me to remain faithful, even when I feel forgotten and confined. I release every person I was hoping would deliver me, and I place my trust fully in You. Perfect every character trait in me that needs to be refined. Bring me out at Your perfect, appointed time. Prepare me for the palace ahead. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
