There is a fantastic story in Genesis about a guy named Joseph. To make a long story short though, Joseph ends up in prison. While he is in prison he gains a couple of roommates.
The chief baker of Pharaoh and the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh. The cupbearer back in those days was responsible for tasting the drink of the King first to make sure it was suitable for the King and also to make sure it was not poisoned. I'm not sure what the baker and the cup bearer did to end up there. Maybe Pharaoh didn't like how his guy sipped from the cup and his bread was moldy, the Bible doesn't say. It just says they did something that Pharaoh didn't like and so they got tossed in the cell with Joseph.
So the cupbearer has this dream and he can't figure out what the dream means. Well, Joseph has the ability to decipher dreams and so he steps in and informs this cupbearer that what his dream signifies and the cupbearer is so excited that he tells Joseph that when he gets out of prison (in 3 days), he will remember that Joseph helped him and see about getting Joseph out of prison as well.
He was so grateful to Joseph for his help that when the 3 days passed and he was let out of prison, that he completely forgot about Joseph……………..For 2 years!!!!
The Bible says 2 years later, Pharaoh had a dream that he couldn't figure out. He summoned all of the people that he thought could help, and none were able to decipher the dream. Then, all of a sudden the Chief cup bearer remembers Joseph.
I can't imagine the feeling he must have had in his gut when the image of Josephs face and the promise he made 2 years ago came back to his memory.
At that moment, the cupbearer is recorded as saying, "Today I have been reminded of my failure.”
He informed Pharaoh about Joseph and told him about the event from 2 years ago. Needless to say, Joseph was released from prison.
The Bible never mentions the cupbearers name. I think that is because it makes it easier to put our own name there.
Are you the cupbearer?
Maybe as you were reading this, a certain someone came to mind.
Somewhere along the line have you forgotten someone?
Someone that perhaps helped you through something or pulled you out of something?
Is there someone in your life that you owe something to?
An apology?
A thank you?
If so, may today be the day that you say, "Today I have been reminded of my failure.”
You might be thinking to yourself that it was so long ago, it will feel awkward to go back and right the wrong at this point.
It was 2 full years before the cupbearer righted his wrong with Joseph.
It's not too late for you or I.
Don't put it off any longer. Be the cupbearer today.
