（创40，41）为什么两年？Genesis 40 and 41: Why two years?

(Chat GPT translation from Chinese, edited by Mijiale, 中文在后面）

Genesis 40 mentions Joseph seeking help from his soon-to-be-released prison mate, but the mate forgets him after release. Genesis 41 explains that Joseph, for this reason, spent an additional two years in prison. Joseph’s story is intricate, and upon careful study, seemingly random details reveal themselves as marvelous arrangements by the Creator. However, I’ve always wondered why the Creator didn’t let Joseph be rescued immediately after his mate’s release but made him wait for two years. I’ve outlined existing information and left it as an unanswered question.

Some Jews believe Joseph depended too much on his soon-to-be-released mate, pleading with him (Genesis 40:14), “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.” They think Joseph’s punishment for not relying solely on the Creator and being too dependent on his mate resulted in him spending an extra two years in prison. Legend has it that the mate, fearing forgetfulness, tied a knot as a reminder each night but forgot every morning when going to the palace, and angels untied the knots. However, when the two years passed, the time for rescue arrived promptly (Genesis 41:14), showing that the suffering of those belonging to the Creator has a reason, and the timing of salvation is determined. (Reference: https://www.sefaria.org/Legends_of_the_Jews.2.1.150?lang=bi)
Although the explanation above is educational, I wonder why the duration was two years and not half a year or five years. There might be other reasons behind it. During these two years, Joseph’s grandfather, Isaac, passed away. Why did Joseph have to wait until after Isaac’s death to be released from prison? Is there any connection between these two events? (Source: https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/jacob-joseph-timeline.html)

I noticed that after two years, Joseph, at the age of thirty, became the prime minister over all Egypt after his release (Genesis 41:46). Could this foreshadow Jesus? In Luke 3:23, it is mentioned, “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry…”

（创40，41）为什么两年？

创世纪40提到约瑟求即将出狱的狱友救他出狱，但狱友出狱后忘了他。创世纪41介绍，约瑟为此在监狱里有多留了两年。约瑟的故事很复杂，很多看似偶然的细节，经仔细研读，都可以辨认出其实是造物主的奇妙安排。但这里，我一直不懂为什么造物主不让约瑟在狱友出狱后马上得救，而要在等两年。我把已有的一些信息列出，并将此留作尚未解答的问题。

1。犹太人认为约瑟过于依赖即将先出狱的狱友，求他（创40:14）“但你得好处的时候，求你记念我，施恩与我，在法老面前提说我，救我出这监牢 ”，而不够专心仰望造物主，所以约瑟为此受罚多留狱中两年。传说狱友出狱后每晚都想起要为约瑟说好话，并且怕忘了，就在官服上打个结作记号，结果每天一到王宫上班时就忘了，而且衣服上做记号的結也已经有天使已经解开了。但是等两年时间到了，得救的时间来临，毫无耽搁，（创41:14）“法老遂即差人去召约瑟，他们便急忙带他出监，他就剃头，刮脸，换衣裳，进到法老面前。” 可见对属于造物主的人，他们的受苦，都是有原因的，受多少苦，何时得救，都是有定数的。（参考资料 https://www.sefaria.org/Legends_of_the_Jews.2.1.150?lang=bi）

2。虽然以上的解释很有教育意义，但我觉得为什么这个时间是两年，而不是半年，或五年，很可能背后还有别的道理。约瑟老家的爷爷以撒，就是这两年间去世的。https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/jacob-joseph-timeline.html

为什么要等以撒去世后约瑟才出狱？这两者之间有什么联系吗？

3。我注意到两年后约瑟三十岁了，出狱后管理埃及全地，（创41:46）“约瑟见埃及王法老的时候年三十岁。他从法老面前出去，遍行埃及全地。” 这是不是让他预表耶稣？如（路3:23）所记，“耶稣开头传道，年纪约有三十岁 …”。