Genesis 40:1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
In verse 39:1 the captain of the guard was Potiphar. The same person who put Joseph in prison. It is no surprise that Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners. We should note that Joseph was a man of compassion and service. It did not matter that he was in prison or the position he held. He was a servant leader that cared for those who were under his watch. We can think of many examples of people in our past and present that give a clear vision of leadership without a care in the world for those under their watch or supervision. They think of themselves only. Being a servant leader is not natural in origin. Our natural self relies on self, only thinks of self, and sees others as a means to glorify self. How is God honored at all with this mindset? He is not. How many days do we pass by people who are hurting? How many times do we miss opportunities to be used by God to show compassion, mercy, love, and grace because we are only thinking about ourselves instead of how we might be used by God today for His honor and glory? How many times has the Holy Spirit’s leading been thwarted because our ears are care closed and our eyes blinded by self-interests, self-concerns, and self-worth?
It is easy to see how Joseph was able to be a servant leader while being in charge of Potiphar’s affairs but to maintain this while in prison is another level of commitment and service to God. We all have the opportunity to choose to be a servant to those around us. It is our choice. Make a difference today in the life of someone you know and in the life of someone you don’t. For sure it will not happen if you do not make a choice to do it. Ask God to open your eye and ears to the hurting souls around you. Ask Him to lead you in ways that honor and glorify Him.