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Genesis 40 · Grade 5

Interpretations Belong to God

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Read and Think

Genesis 40 continues Joseph's season in prison. Two high officials of Pharaoh, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, are placed under Joseph's care. The cupbearer was a trusted official who tasted the king's wine; the baker prepared his food. Joseph, though a prisoner himself, serves them faithfully and notices their troubled faces, a quiet sign of his compassion.

When they lament that no one can interpret their dreams, Joseph says, Don't interpretations belong to God? Joseph consistently points away from himself to God (see also 41:16). The cupbearer's dream of a budding vine and Pharaoh's cup signals restoration in three days. The baker's dream of baskets with birds eating from them signals death in three days. Joseph speaks the hard truth honestly.

Joseph then makes a plea: he was stolen away from his land and has done nothing to deserve prison. Everything happens exactly as Joseph said, confirming that God's word through him is true. But the chapter ends painfully: Yet the chief cup bearer didn't remember Joseph, but forgot him. Joseph will wait two more years. God's timing would bring Joseph before Pharaoh at exactly the right moment. Psalm 105:19 says that God's word tested Joseph until the time came for what he said to happen.

Show What You Know

  1. What does Joseph's attention to the men's faces show?

  2. How does Joseph point away from himself?

  3. Why was Joseph's message to the baker hard?

  4. What confirmed that God's word through Joseph was true?

  5. What does Psalm 105:19 say about Joseph's waiting?

Think About It

  1. Joseph was honest even when the truth was hard. How can you speak truth with kindness?

  2. Why might God allow a season of waiting? What can grow in us while we wait?

Memory Verse

They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.”

Genesis 40:8 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you keep doing good when things are slow to change?
  • How can you be patient while you wait for help?
  • How can you give God credit for wisdom you share?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.