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Genesis 40:23
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph - Had he mentioned the circumstance to Pharaoh, there is no doubt that Joseph's case would have been examined into, and he would in consequence have been restored to his liberty; but, owing to the ingratitude of the chief butler, he was left two years longer in prison. Many commentators have seen in every circumstance in the history of Joseph a parallel between him and our blessed Lord. So, "Joseph in prison represents Christ in the custody of the Jews; the chief butler and the chief baker represent the two thieves which were crucified with our Lord; and as one thief was pardoned, and the other left to perish, so the chief butler was restored to his office, and the chief baker hanged." I believe God never designed such parallels; and I am astonished to find comparatively grave and judicious men trifling in this way, and forcing the features of truth into the most distorted anamorphosis, so that even her friends blush to acknowledge her. This is not a light matter; we should beware how we attribute designs to God that he never had, and employ the Holy Spirit in forming trifling and unimportant similitudes. Of plain, direct truth we shall find as much in the sacred writings as we can receive and comprehend; let us not therefore hew out unto ourselves broken cisterns that can hold no water. Interpretations of this kind only tend to render the sacred writings uncertain; to expose to ridicule all the solemn types and figures which it really contains; and to furnish pretexts to infidels and irreligious people to scoff at all spirituality, and lead them to reject the word of God entirely, as incapable of being interpreted on any fixed or rational plan. The mischief done by this system is really incalculable. See the observations on Genesis 37 (note).
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
But the former forgot Joseph in his prosperity, and did nothing to procure his liberation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph--This was human nature. How prone are men to forget and neglect in prosperity, those who have been their companions in adversity (Amo 6:6)! But although reflecting no credit on the butler, it was wisely ordered in the providence of God that he should forget him. The divine purposes required that Joseph should obtain his deliverance in another way, and by other means. Next: Genesis Chapter 41
John Gill Bible Commentary
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph,.... To speak of him to Pharaoh, neither on that day in which he was restored, nor for a long time after, even for the space of two years, as seems from the following chapter: but forgot him; never more thought of him, of the favour he had done him in interpreting his dream; of the request he made to him, and of the promise which he had probably given him; which was an instance of great ingratitude, and is frequently the case and character of courtiers, who being in high places themselves, neglect others, their petitions to them, and their own promises to do all they can for them. Next: Genesis Chapter 41
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:23 The cup-bearer . . . forgot all about Joseph, but God did not forget him. Joseph’s faith was about to be rewarded (ch 41).
Genesis 40:23
The Cupbearer and the Baker
22But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had described to them in his interpretation.23The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot all about him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Genesis) Genesis 40:1-8
By J. Vernon McGee2.8K04:56GenesisGEN 40:1GEN 40:8GEN 40:14GEN 40:23MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph is in prison and is put in charge of two men, the butler and the baker, who have offended Pharaoh. Despite his own difficult circumstances, Joseph remains optimistic and attentive to the needs of these men. The speaker emphasizes that Joseph's placement in the prison was not accidental, but part of God's plan. The sermon also highlights the arbitrary and dictatorial nature of Pharaoh's rule.
(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:21ExpositionalGEN 50:26EXO 2:15EXO 4:1EXO 4:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not just a passive observer of our struggles and suffering. He takes action to deliver His people from their hardships. The preacher also highlights the importance of not getting too attached to material possessions, as they can easily be taken away. Instead, our focus should be on the things of the Spirit and God's eternal kingdom. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, but ultimately God delivered them.
(Genesis) Genesis 39:11-40:23
By Joe Focht1.2K53:06GenesisGEN 39:20GEN 40:13GEN 40:23GEN 45:5PSA 105:16ACT 23:11In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the sorrows and challenges of life, particularly for boys who bring sorrow to their mothers. However, the speaker believes that there is another world beyond this one, where one can experience joy and fulfillment. The speaker relates this belief to the story of Joseph from the Bible, who went through trials and ended up becoming a ruler. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being prisoners of Christ and His grace, rather than prisoners of the world and its emptiness.
Remember Me
By H. P. Barker1GEN 40:23H. P. Barker emphasizes the importance of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ and not forgetting His sacrifice and love. He draws parallels between the forgetfulness of humans towards each other, like the late Queen of the Belgians, and the forgetfulness of the chief butler towards Joseph in the Bible. Barker highlights the significance of partaking in the Lord's supper as a way to cherish and remember Christ, rather than focusing solely on personal blessings or benefits received.
Do You Feel Forgotten?
By Michael Durham0GEN 40:23PSA 30:5ISA 64:4MAT 14:30ROM 8:252CO 4:17HEB 6:18HEB 11:1JAS 1:2Michael Durham preaches about the spiritual battle of feeling forgotten by God, using the story of Joseph to illustrate the struggle of waiting for God's timing, understanding His tools of suffering and silence, and embracing His task of exposing and eliminating unholy contentment. He emphasizes the importance of trusting God's timing, recognizing His tools of suffering and silence as ways to deepen intimacy with Him, and understanding that silence is an answer from God. Durham encourages believers to maintain hope in God, even when feeling forgotten, as God's deliverance and faithfulness will always prevail in His perfect timing.
The Lord's Supper. Cont.
By George Cutting0GEN 40:23ACT 20:71CO 11:261CO 11:281PE 2:5REV 1:6George Cutting preaches about the importance of partaking in the Lord's supper with reverence and gratitude, reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus and eagerly anticipating His return. He highlights the neglect and ingratitude shown by some towards this sacred act, contrasting it with the deep love and sacrifice of Christ. Cutting emphasizes the need for self-judgment before partaking in the Lord's supper, acknowledging our unworthiness and focusing on the worthiness of Christ who died for us.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph - Had he mentioned the circumstance to Pharaoh, there is no doubt that Joseph's case would have been examined into, and he would in consequence have been restored to his liberty; but, owing to the ingratitude of the chief butler, he was left two years longer in prison. Many commentators have seen in every circumstance in the history of Joseph a parallel between him and our blessed Lord. So, "Joseph in prison represents Christ in the custody of the Jews; the chief butler and the chief baker represent the two thieves which were crucified with our Lord; and as one thief was pardoned, and the other left to perish, so the chief butler was restored to his office, and the chief baker hanged." I believe God never designed such parallels; and I am astonished to find comparatively grave and judicious men trifling in this way, and forcing the features of truth into the most distorted anamorphosis, so that even her friends blush to acknowledge her. This is not a light matter; we should beware how we attribute designs to God that he never had, and employ the Holy Spirit in forming trifling and unimportant similitudes. Of plain, direct truth we shall find as much in the sacred writings as we can receive and comprehend; let us not therefore hew out unto ourselves broken cisterns that can hold no water. Interpretations of this kind only tend to render the sacred writings uncertain; to expose to ridicule all the solemn types and figures which it really contains; and to furnish pretexts to infidels and irreligious people to scoff at all spirituality, and lead them to reject the word of God entirely, as incapable of being interpreted on any fixed or rational plan. The mischief done by this system is really incalculable. See the observations on Genesis 37 (note).
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
But the former forgot Joseph in his prosperity, and did nothing to procure his liberation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph--This was human nature. How prone are men to forget and neglect in prosperity, those who have been their companions in adversity (Amo 6:6)! But although reflecting no credit on the butler, it was wisely ordered in the providence of God that he should forget him. The divine purposes required that Joseph should obtain his deliverance in another way, and by other means. Next: Genesis Chapter 41
John Gill Bible Commentary
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph,.... To speak of him to Pharaoh, neither on that day in which he was restored, nor for a long time after, even for the space of two years, as seems from the following chapter: but forgot him; never more thought of him, of the favour he had done him in interpreting his dream; of the request he made to him, and of the promise which he had probably given him; which was an instance of great ingratitude, and is frequently the case and character of courtiers, who being in high places themselves, neglect others, their petitions to them, and their own promises to do all they can for them. Next: Genesis Chapter 41
Tyndale Open Study Notes
40:23 The cup-bearer . . . forgot all about Joseph, but God did not forget him. Joseph’s faith was about to be rewarded (ch 41).