Lesson 19: Joseph in Prison - Faithful in Dark Times & The King's Servants' Dreams

1. Key Bible Reading

Passage: Genesis 39:20 – 40:23 (also referencing Psalm 105:17–19 and Galatians 6:9, World English Bible – WEB).
Teachers and parents: Read Genesis 39:20–23 and Genesis 40:5–15 aloud with the children. Notice how Joseph showed genuine care and asked, “Why do you look so sad today?”

2. Memory Verse to Learn by Heart

“But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
— Genesis 39:21 (WEB)

3. What We Will Learn Today

• Even in prison for something he did not do, Yahweh was with Joseph and showed him loving kindness.
• How Joseph was so trustworthy and hardworking that the prison keeper put all the prisoners in Joseph’s care.
• How Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker were locked up and each dreamed a mysterious dream on the same night.
• Joseph’s compassion and faith: noticing his fellow prisoners were sad and pointing them to God: “Don’t interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8).
• The meaning of the dreams: the cupbearer restored in three days and the baker condemned in three days on Pharaoh’s birthday.
• Why we should never lose hope: even when the cupbearer forgot Joseph, God had not forgotten him!

4. The Complete Story of Joseph in Prison

Part A: Yahweh Was with Joseph in Prison (Genesis 39:20–23)

In Egypt, Joseph had served faithfully in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Everything Joseph touched succeeded because God blessed him. But when Potiphar’s wicked wife told lies about Joseph, Potiphar became angry and cast Joseph into prison:

“Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” — Genesis 39:20–21 (WEB)

Most people thrown into a dungeon might complain, become bitter, or stop praying. But Joseph did not! He chose to honour God and serve others with honesty and diligence. The keeper of the prison quickly noticed that Joseph was completely reliable:

“The keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; and whatever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper.” — Genesis 39:22–23 (WEB)

What a powerful lesson! No matter where we are—at home, in school, or going through a tough time—when we stay faithful, God is right beside us, and His presence brings blessing!

Part B: Two Sad Officers and Two Troubling Dreams (Genesis 40:1–19)

Some time later, two important officers of Pharaoh’s royal palace offended the king: the chief cupbearer (who tasted and served wine to Pharaoh) and the chief baker (who prepared all the king’s royal bread). Pharaoh was angry and threw them into the same prison. The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to look after them.

One night, both the cupbearer and the baker had unusual dreams. When Joseph came to their room in the morning, he noticed their downcast expressions. He did not ignore their feelings, but asked with kindness:

“He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, ‘Why do you look so sad today?’ They said to him, ‘We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.’ Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.’” — Genesis 40:7–8 (WEB)

The chief cupbearer told his dream first:

“‘In my dream, behold, a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.’” — Genesis 40:9–11 (WEB)

With God’s wisdom, Joseph explained the meaning: “The three branches are three days. Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office, and you will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand” (Genesis 40:12–13). Joseph made one humble request: “Remember me when it is well with you... and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house” (Genesis 40:14).

Seeing that the interpretation was good, the chief baker said:

“‘I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. In the uppermost basket there was all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.’” — Genesis 40:16–17 (WEB)

Sadly, Joseph had to deliver hard news: the three baskets were three days, and within three days Pharaoh would hang the baker, and birds would eat his flesh (Genesis 40:18–19).

Part C: Pharaoh’s Birthday and Forgotten in Prison (Genesis 40:20–23)

On the third day after the dreams, it was Pharaoh’s birthday! The king gave a lavish royal feast for all his servants. Exactly as Joseph had revealed:

“He restored the chief cupbearer to his cupbearing position again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.” — Genesis 40:21–22 (WEB)

The chief cupbearer was overjoyed to be back in the bright palace serving the king. Did he keep his promise to tell Pharaoh about innocent Joseph in the prison? Sadly, no:

“Yet the chief cupbearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.” — Genesis 40:23 (WEB)

Joseph remained in that stone prison for two more whole years! It must have been tempting for Joseph to feel disappointed or forgotten. But God never forgets His children! God was preparing Joseph for something far greater than being released as an ordinary servant: God was preparing Joseph to become the ruler of all Egypt! As Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let’s not become weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up” (WEB).

5. Quick Revision Table: Key Facts of Joseph in Prison (WEB)

6. Class Discussion Questions

1. Why was Joseph put into prison even though he had done nothing wrong (Genesis 39:20)? How did Joseph react? Did he get angry with God?
2. When Joseph saw the cupbearer and baker looking sad, what did he do (Genesis 40:6–7)? What does this teach us about showing compassion to others even when we have troubles of our own?
3. Who did Joseph give credit to for explaining dreams (Genesis 40:8)? Why is it important to always give honour and glory to God?
4. How do you think Joseph felt when the cupbearer forgot him for two years? Did God forget Joseph? What great plan was God preparing?

7. Fun Children’s Activity

8. Closing Prayer

“Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always with us, just as You were with Joseph in the prison. Help us to be trustworthy, kind, and hardworking even when things seem unfair. When others feel sad or discouraged, give us tender hearts to comfort them and point them to Your love. Help us to be patient and trust Your perfect timing in our lives. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.”