What can we learn from Joseph's attitude towards authority in Genesis 40:4? The scene in the prison “Genesis 40:4: ‘The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he served them. And they continued for some time in custody.’” Joseph is still unjustly jailed, yet the prison warden trusts him so fully that he hands the royal cupbearer and baker over to Joseph’s care. The verse simply says, “he served them.” Those three words reveal volumes about Joseph’s heart toward authority. What Joseph actually does • He accepts the assignment without complaint. • He treats fellow prisoners—men who once held prestigious palace posts—as people worthy of service. • He does not leverage his elevated position in the prison for personal advantage; he uses it to bless others. Attitudes we observe • Submission: Joseph honors the “captain of the guard,” the human authority placed over him, even after that system wronged him (Genesis 39:20–23). • Humility: A man who once managed Potiphar’s entire estate now humbly manages inmates. • Faithfulness: His diligence in small, hidden tasks mirrors his diligence in grand, public ones (Luke 16:10). • Compassion: He notices when the cupbearer and baker are “dejected” (Genesis 40:6–7) and moves toward them. Why this matters for us 1. Authority is God-appointed • “There is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). • Because God stands behind every legitimate structure, serving human leaders ultimately serves Him. 2. Circumstances do not suspend obedience • Joseph’s unjust imprisonment could have bred bitterness. Instead, he keeps obeying (cf. 1 Peter 2:18–23). • Our context—workplace, home, school—never nullifies God’s call to honor those over us. 3. Influence grows through service • Joseph’s willingness to serve positions him for later promotion (Genesis 41:14–41). • Jesus teaches the same pattern: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). 4. Work done “unto the Lord” transforms ordinary tasks • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). • Scrubbing prison floors or drafting executive reports—both can become worship when offered to God. Practical take-aways • Start each assignment—pleasant or painful—with the mindset, “I am serving Christ.” • Look for ways to ease burdens of those around you, even peers or subordinates. • Resist the temptation to gripe about unfair treatment; instead, let integrity speak louder than words. • Trust God to vindicate faithfulness in His timing, as He did for Joseph (Psalm 37:5–6). The big picture Joseph’s simple act of serving fellow prisoners under a warden’s command demonstrates that honoring authority is less about the worthiness of leaders and more about the worthiness of God. When we obey and serve with joy, we testify that our true King is directing every detail—and that no prison, office, or household falls outside His sovereign plan. |
    |