You scratch My Back, I Will Scratch Yours.

Genesis 40:9-10, 12-14 ESV
“So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, ‘In my dream there was a vine before me,  and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes.’ Then Joseph said to him, ‘This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.  In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office… Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house.'”

Quid pro quo right? I do something for you and you do something for me. Joseph’s request sounds resonable. After all its only fair, the cupbearer was in a desperate situation. He had a dream, Joseph interpreted it for the cupbearer, in three days it came true.

All the cupbearer had to do was remember Joseph and tell Pharoah about this man in prison that interpreted my dream, and it came true. That’s easy enough, right? But that was not how God was going to bring Joseph into a position of power to save the Israelite family and save the nation of Israel in the future. Plus God would save Egypt and the surrounding countries from the great famine.

Besides the fact it was not God’s way or timing, if Pharoah would have heard about Joseph at this point, it would not have meant anything to Pharoah. God was going to get the glory in this story and He was going to raise Joseph to power His way and by His plan.

When someone doesn’t do something for us when we have already done something
for them, we get insulted. Jesus said; “And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:34-35 ESV)

Prayer:
Father, we live in times that are hard and the people in this world are uncaring. We try to be kind hoping kindness will be returned and sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. Teach me to bless others without looking for the reciprocation, all my blessings will come from You.