by Alan Langstaff

The last two weeks, we have been looking at prisons, especially people’s stories of being in prison, like Irish Johnny. This week, I want to take another look at prisons, but from a different angle, starting with three biblical characters who found themselves in prison and what we can learn from them.

JOSEPH – PRISON A CLASSROOM

Most people are aware of the story of Joseph back in the book of Genesis. Joseph had two dreams that indicated he would be given a prominent place in his family. This did not make him popular with his brothers, who initially were going to kill him, but later sold him as a slave who ended up in Egypt. There he was sold into the house of Potiphar, and he became head of his household. It was there that Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, but he refused her advances. She made false accusations about an attempted rape so in the end he was imprisoned again.

Eventually, he was put in charge of the other prisoners, and later two of Pharaoh’s officials ended up in prison also. One a cupbearer and one the chief baker. Both had somehow offended the Pharaoh. Both men had dreams. The cupbearer dreamed about a vine and three branches and was interpreted by Joseph to mean that within three days he would be restored as cupbearer to Pharaoh, which all happened.

Joseph requested that the cupbearer tell Pharaoh about him and seek his release from prison, but the cupbearer forgot.

Then two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams, one about cows and the other about ears of grain. When Pharaoh’s advisors could not interpret the dreams, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh. He was summoned and, in turn, interpreted the dreams to the Pharaoh. They spoke of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.

Following this, Joseph was elevated to a high position, and he oversaw Egypt and the distribution of Egypt’s grain.

The famine extended to Palestine, and Jacob sent Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to buy grain. At first, they did not recognize Joseph, and he in turn did not reveal himself immediately to them.

Without going into more details, which also involved their youngest brother, Benjamin, and the second time they came to Egypt. The end result was that Joseph eventually revealed himself to the brothers. The brothers were taken aback by it all and were fearful of what would happen to them since they had done evil to Joseph. Joseph told them not to fear, and eventually Jacob and their family came down to live in Egypt.

Now, later is a significant verse that reveals God’s purpose in all this. Joseph told the brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7 NKJV) Later, he declares that his brothers meant evil against him, but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph realized that all that had happened to him was part of God’s plan to prepare him for prominence, even as his dreams had foretold. As such, his time in prison prepared him to fulfill God’s purpose at that time. God was there with him in the midst of it all.

You almost could say that Joseph’s time in prison was his classroom preparation for success. He learned to trust God no matter what happened. He learned to forgive his brothers. He learned that God fulfills His promises.

PAUL – A PRISON PRAISER

Paul was in prison many times, but there is one incident in particular that is often quoted.

Paul and his companion Silas are imprisoned at Philippi following an incident with a demon-possessed girl. They were placed in the inner prison, and their feet were placed in stakes. 

Yet at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened. It was then that a great earthquake took place so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, the doors were opened, and their chains were loosed. The keeper of the prison was about to kill himself when Paul called out to him, and he in turn rushed into Paul and fell down, trembling and crying out “What must I do to be saved?”

Let us not forget it all began with Paul and Silas instead of complaining about what had happened to them and complaining about being in prison, were instead responded by having a Prayer Meeting and singing praises to God.

PETER – PRISON DELIVERANCE

Peter had some mighty experiences in his life and ministry, and one of the most unusual and miraculous events was when he was in prison during King Herod’s time.

Peter was fast asleep and at the same time was chained between two soldiers. An angel of the Lord came to him and said, “Arise quickly,” and at that time his chains fell off his hands. The angel told Peter to get dressed and ordered him to follow him.

This Peter did, not knowing if this was for real or whether he was seeing a vision. They came past the first and second guard posts and eventually came to the iron gate that would lead them out into the city. The gate opened of its own accord, and Peter was delivered out of Prison. The angel left him, and he came to a house where people were praying for him. We have a delightful story involving Rhoda and the unwillingness of the people who were praying for Peter to believe he was at the front door.

ARE YOU IN A PRISON?

Are you in a prison, not just a prisoner for wrongdoers, but one in which you find yourself?

  • It may be a financial prison.
  • It may be a prison in your marriage.
  • It may be a prison concerning a vision or a dream you have, and a promise that has not been fulfilled. 
  • It may be a prison of a besetting sin.
  • It may be a physical prison where you need healing.
  • It may be a prison of your own making.
  • It may be…. And we could go on.

3 Keys to have when you are in prison:

1. TRUST GOD

Joseph had a dream, but for many years it never looked like it would happen. Nowhere do you find him complaining. Indeed, from what he shared later to his brothers, he maintained a positive attitude, never complaining, and above all, trusted in God.

2. PRAISE GOD

Paul, when he was in prison, what did he do in the middle of the night? He and Silas sang songs and praised the Lord. Now, it is not always easy to do that when you are sitting in a prison. But it is a powerful thing to do. To lift up your voice and praise the Lord.

3. BELIEVE GOD FOR A MIRACLE

Peter was in prison and his life was in danger, but God came to his aid. He experienced a miraculous deliverance from prison. So we should be looking to God, who is above the circumstances, and believe for Him to come to our aid. God is a God of miracles, and we should believe Him as such. Do whatever he shows you to do and trust Him to bring you out of that prison, whatever prison it may be.

CLOSING THOUGHT

All of us have at some point or another found ourselves in some kind of prison. What can we do?

  • We can praise God.
  • We can trust God.
  • We can expect God to meet our need – even miraculously.