Genesis 40:1  “…after these things…”
At some point after Joseph was put into the prison, and he had been put in charge of the other prisoners by the jailer.

3  “…he put them…in the house of the captain…in the prison…where Joseph was confined”
Sounds like the prison where Joseph was confined was more of house arrest situation.  There was definitely confinement, but it doesn’t sound as bad as a dungeon.

6  “…Joseph came in to them in the morning…”
Appears they had a room or area.  Reinforces the idea of a light confinement prison.

8  “…Tell them to me, please”
Nothing is said about Joseph being given the ability to interpret dreams, yet he is able to do so.  Perhaps he had some experience dealing with the dreams God had given him earlier.  His faith that God would provide what he needed also seems to play a part.

14  “…get me out of this house”
Confinement is confinement, even if it is pleasant.  Joseph has been doing his duty as he feels God would have him to, but he was still sold into slavery and thrown into prison without cause.

16  “…saw that the interpretation was good…”
Butler’s dream turned out well.  Sounded like a good risk for the baker.  Unfortunately it was not.

20-22  “…Pharaoh’s birthday…he hanged the chief baker…”
What a way to spend a birthday.  Apparently he was doing things on a public basis to show action on his birthday.

23  “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
This statement alone gives us cause to question God’s means here.  He has always prospered Joseph, no matter what situation Joseph was in.  Now Joseph has shown his faith and trust and even relied on God to give him what he needs.  Why is God leaving him in the prison when there was such an easy way to get out?  That is the problem with our lack of sight and knowledge.  We seldom see all of the angles of a situation.  Without that knowledge, how can we expect to make the right decisions?  God can see all angles.  He knows what is best and when it is best.  What He does cannot be wrong and will be the best for us.  God’s reasons are beyond us, but had the butler remembered Joseph, there wouldn’t have been much to present to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf other than his apparent personal misfortune.  By waiting on Pharaoh to have a dream that needed interpreting, the stage was set for Joseph to make a great impression.  He went from the prison to the palace in a day.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.