NOTES for Gen 40:1-23
This episode serves as an introduction to the main part of the story of Joseph: his wondrous gift must lead to the fulfillment of God's design, which will affect not only Joseph and his brothers, but all of Egypt and Israel. But there is also a special plot here: Joseph passes through one more test. He does not try to use his ability to interpret dreams for selfish purposes, does not claim natural possession of this gift, and does not try to use it to influence the course of events magically. In his eyes, the only Master of dreams and reality remains God. This conclusion allows Joseph to entrust his own life to God, the true interpreter of dreams and governor of human destinies. Strictly speaking, Sacred History is the history of people who entrusted their destinies to God, a history that continues from the beginning of the world to our own day.