約瑟一直曉得上帝的存在，即使在一個那麼遙遠的國度，遠離他的家庭和一個敬拜亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各之真神上帝的環境，他還是持守他父親的信仰。從小對上帝的認識在他生命裡有很大的影響，給他力量、知識、和對上帝的愛，使他能持守對上帝的真純。教導孩子他當行的路是很重要的，因為就如聖經所說：「到老他也不偏離」（箴22：6）。

         正直、無辜的約瑟在牢裡受苦，不過上帝並沒有忘記他。當我們身受痛苦而不明白為什麼時，我們必須記得，上帝仍然與我們同在，祂必在祂最美好的時刻帶領我們脫離苦難。行為正直不一定總是會立刻得到好報；事實上，有時還會招來痛苦，如約瑟的例子。然而，上帝是信實、公正的，我們所行的善絕不會徒然（路6：35）。約瑟在監牢裡忍耐等候了兩年，當上帝拯救他的時機成熟了，就把他從監牢裡帶出來，將他安置在比先前更高的位上。

         法老的酒政和膳長得罪了他，所以法老將他們下入監裡。約瑟是監牢的行政總管，有天早上他察覺二人神情沮喪，便詢問原因。原來他們二人夜裡都各作了一個夢，但沒有人能為他們解夢。約瑟知道上帝掌管每一件事，就大膽的說：「解夢不是出於上帝嗎﹖」（40：8）。他相信上帝能使用他，於是要二人把所作的夢告訴他。約瑟對酒政解釋他的夢是個好兆頭，因為他將要復職。約瑟求他將來在法老面前記念他，但酒政忘記了，不過也沒有完全忘記。膳長聽見酒政所作的是好夢，也急著想知道自己的。約瑟的心很單純，上帝怎麼向他解釋，他就毫不保留的說出實情。膳長在三日內會被吊死。約瑟的解釋都應驗了。

         後來法老自己也作了兩個令他困惑的夢，國中所有的術士或博士都無人能解。這些人都是受過教育，通曉星相，替人算命的，他們甚至能展示非凡的法力（但不是從上帝來的），如同在摩西和法老的故事裡，法老的術士也能像摩西把他們的杖變成蛇。法老的夢是從上帝來的，只有那些認識上帝的人有從祂而來的屬靈洞見能解釋屬神的事。法老極欲知道他所作二夢的意義。就在這時，酒政想起了約瑟。

         這是上帝使約瑟出監的完美時機。如果約瑟早一點被釋放，他可能會回到迦南地，但上帝是要他留在埃及來實現祂救約瑟和他一家人的計畫。約瑟出獄時年已三十，他很快被安排前往覲見法老。約瑟再次將解夢的能力歸功於真理的啟示者上帝（41：16）。他告訴法老，那兩個夢（兩次的夢強調其重要性和急迫性）本是一個意思，是上帝用來啟示法老，在七個豐年後會有七個荒年。聰明的約瑟也建議法老應採取哪些行動。他並沒有因自己的能力而自傲，相反的，他很謙卑，因為他知道若不是由於上帝，一切都不可能成就。

         我們必須謹記，上帝在我們一切所有的事上，無論是才幹、恩賜、或財產，永遠都應得著榮耀和尊崇。

         天父上帝，啟示我們明白關於您的知識，好使我們在生活中遵行您純全的旨意。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

         Joseph was always aware of God and kept the faith of his father, even in a distant country, far from his family and the worship of the true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Learning about God in his childhood played a great role in his life. It gave him the strength, knowledge and love for God in order to stay true to Him. Teaching a child in the way he should go is very important, for as the Bible says, “when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

         Joseph, though innocent and righteous, was suffering in prison still the Lord had not forgotten him. When we are suffering and cannot understand why, we must remember that the Lord is still with us and he will bring an immediate reward; in fact, it can sometimes bring suffering, as in Joseph’s case. However, the Lord is faithful and just, and the good we do will not go unrewarded (Luke 6:35). For two years Joseph waited patiently in prison. When the time was ripe for the Lord to deliver him, He brought him out, putting him in an even better place then before.

         We read that Pharaoh’s butler (or cup bearer) and baker had “offended” him (Hebrew word for sinned), and he threw them in prison. One morning, Joseph, who was in charge of the administrative affairs of the prison, noticed their sadness and inquired about the cause. During the night, they both had dreams, but there was no one to give them the interpretation. Joseph knew that God was in control of everything and spoke boldly saying, “Do not interpretations belong to God? (40:8). With faith that God could use him, he asked them to tell him their dreams. The interpretation for the cup bearer’s dream was good, for he was to be restored. Joseph asked that he remember him before Pharaoh; however, he forgot him, but not totally. When the baker heard the cup bearer’s good interpretation, he was anxious to hear his own. Joseph, having a pure and simple, was not afraid to speak the truth as the Lord gave him the interpretation came true.

         When Pharaoh had two perplexing dreams, none of the trained magicians or wise men could interpret them. These were educated people who practiced fortune telling and studied astronomy. They even displayed unusual powers (but not from God) as in the story of Moses with Pharaoh’s magicians who, like Moses, also turned their staffs into snakes. Pharaoh’s dreams had come from God, and only those who know God have spiritual insight from Him to interpret what comes from Him. Pharaoh was desperate to discover the meaning of the two dreams he had. The cup bearer, wanting to help Pharaoh, remembered Joseph.

         This was in the perfect timing of the Lord for Joseph to come out of prison. If he had been released earlier, he might have returned to Canaan, but God knew he was to remain in Egypt to fulfill His plan of salvation for him and his family. As quickly as possible Joseph, who was now 30 years old, was made ready for an audience with Pharaoh. Once again he gave the credit to God who is the revealer of truth (41:16). He told Pharaoh that the two dreams (two to emphasize the importance and urgency) have one meaning which God had chosen to show him concerning the seven years of famine which will follow seven years of plenty. Joseph wisely recommended to Pharaoh the course of action that should be taken. He did not show pride in himself for his abilities; rather, he was humble and knew that without the Lord it would be impossible.

         We must remember that for all we have, whether talents, gifts or possessions, God must always receive the Gory and honor.

         Father God, please reveal to us the knowledge we need in order to follow Your perfect will for our lives.