05/10/2022 – Day 072 – Genesis 40 – 43 / Genesis 40:18-19 – Why did Joseph tell the baker that “within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat your flesh.” ?
Joseph no doubt was a warrior that walked with the Lord as will see further next week. But, up until the Maccabbe revolt and the emergence of the Pharisees in the 2nd century b.c. , the Jewish people did not have a central belief in a redeemer nor an afterlife anything approaching a heaven. So, if that is the case, I don’t see the point in telling the baker the horrific news. As in , “Joseph, where is your compassion?”
Now, in light of Yeshua the Christ, our redeemer, that would be an entirely different story. For Joseph would be compelled to witness to him so that he might be saved from hell. But taking that general belief as a given, I think if I had been there, I would take the risk of incurring God’s wrath and tell Joseph: “Dude, did you have to throw all that stuff in there? Where is your compassion for those who are about to die?” New Testament scenario say in the prison with Paul: Completely different, a singular focus on witness up until his death. Crazy hypothetical, I know, I just thought I would throw it out there for y’all. Thoughts?
I wonder if Joseph witnessed to his wife Asenath , daughter of Potiphear , Egyptian priest of On? Perhaps the relationship was just not that tight to risk his life neck for it. And then , he would not have been able to complete the mission that God had for him and his people.
Soli Deo Gloria!