Why So Sad Today?

So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?” Genesis 40:7

If it were the first day of their imprisonment, Joseph would have no reason to ask after their sadness. However, verse 4 tells us that they had been in jail for a while. And therefore Joseph in looking after the butler and baker wonders why today they are so downcast in spirit. It would seem that mere incarceration under Joseph's care was not enough reason to be sad all the time. We know this story from our youth in many cases as it is a popular one for Sunday School. The two officers of the ruler had some rough dreams in the night and they were troubled by them in the morning. As it turns out, one would have good reason to be sad.

Today, this verse pointed out to me the position some are put in over us and we ourselves have at other times . No, not the pharaoh, but Joseph, who was given the task for a time of looking after these two men from Pharaoh's household. In a few months or years, Joseph would be placed in charge of an entire kingdom, but looking after just two men was enough for today. Any of us today might be the administrator of the kingdom, the caretaker of two persons, or the one being looked after. Paul reminds us that from whatever position we are in this day to do it as unto the Lord. For the one being looked after, that might be the tough job of being forthcoming for the reason behind our sadness. Some of us know that is not always an easy thing to do.

Have a great day in the Lord!

Bucky