Genesis: 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
[New International Translation]
Summary
During his prison stay, Joseph met two men—the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Both men displeased Pharaoh and had ended up in prison. Both men were distraught. Both men needed help—they were depressed about their prison predicament and assumed their careers in Pharaoh’s household were over. Then both men had a dream. Neither man knew what to make of his dream, which compounds their misery even more.
Joseph met each of these men in their distress and interpreted each man’s dream. The chief cupbearer received good news. In three days Pharaoh would remove the cupbearer from prison, and he would return to his former position in Pharaoh’s household. In exchange for this gift of “dream interpretation” and relief from worry and stress, Joseph asks only one thing---remember me. Joseph asks that when the cupbearer was restored to his position that he put in a good word for Joseph—that he ask Pharaoh to have pity of Joseph and let Joseph out of jail, because Joseph really was innocent. (See, Genesis 40:12-15)
Three days later, what Joseph predicted came true. The chief cupbearer returned to his former position, but once restored, the cupbearer “promptly” [See the Living Bible translation.] forgot about Joseph. He never gave Joseph a second thought for two whole years.
Humans often have horrible memories. They forget. They have to work at remembering.
Perhaps this is why JESUS’ disciples were given “communion instructions,” (1 Corinthian 11:23-34) so they would “do this” in remembrance of HIM.
The Brain and Exercise
Although there are muscles in our face and other parts of our body, the brain is not a muscle. It’s an organ. But, like a muscle, the brain too can be trained and exercised. And like exercise, we have to “work at it.” Just as we need to exercise to keep the body healthy, the brain needs to be exercised for health and fitness too.
In “10 Brain Exercises That Boost Memory,” Linda Melone discusses some of the research on brain health. In one study involving 2,235 men studied over 30 years, it was found that lifestyle can play an important role in brain health. In that study, it was noted that behaviors like non-smoking, high fruit and vegetable intake, regular physical exercise and low to moderate alcohol intake were important. With regard diet, Melone quotes Dr. Robert Bender that an approach to brain health must include a “well-balanced diet.” This means a diet that is low in fat, low in cholesterol and high in antioxidants. (Some of the foods high in antioxidants include: dark leafy vegetables, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, cranberry, pomegranate, nuts.
Citing, John Morley, MD, director of St. Louis University Division of Geriatric Medicine and author of The Science of Staying Young, Linda Melone provides a list of activities that Dr. Morley recommends, including the following exercises:
- Test Your Recall – Make a list (e.g. a grocery list, things to do, or a random list and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many things you can recall from the list.
- Let the Music Play—Learn to play an instrument or join a choir (e.g. a church choir). Studies show that learning something new over a long period of time is a good exercise for the brain.
- Do Math in Your Head---Try to figure out some math problems without the aid of pencil or calculator. To add an extra challenge, try walking at the same time.
- Learn a Foreign Language---The listening and hearing will stimulate the brain. There are a number of easy to learn language lessons on YouTube.
- Create Word Pictures---Visualize the spelling of a word in your head, then try to think of other words that begin (or end) with the first two letter of your word.
- Refine Your Hand Eye Movement---start a new hobby---put together a puzzle, take up drawing or painting. Plant and trim some bonsai trees.
- Learn a New Sport---start doing an athletic exercise that exercises mind and body—many Zumba exercises have dance routines; yoga has patterns and movements, golf, tennis, basketball and soccer are mind and body games. Tai Chi involves hand, body and breath movements.
See, www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/mental-fitness/brain-exercises-for-memory.aspx. If you have any health concerns or have a medical condition, it is always prudent to consult your own personal physician before starting an exercise program. Working with a therapist or trainer may also be helpful.
Remember to Remember
Sometimes we have to work at remembering what GOD has already done. We have to remember HIS works in our lives through the years. We have to remember how far we have come. We have to remember to remember.
Sometimes we have to remember to be kind. Remember to be helpful. Remember to encourage someone else.
As many members of congregations move to senior living communities, members move to other states to be with relatives, or move to different communities, we have to remember to remember them. As students begin their transition to college or stay at home, we have to remember to keep them in our prayers. We have to remember those incarcerated in jails and prisons.
We have to remember that approximately 276 Nigerian girls were kidnapped from school and that all of them have not returned. We have to remember those living on the street around us as well as those in shelters and detention facilities near and far away.
We need to remember hymn humming mothers, aunts, and grandmothers and praying deacons that just “talked to the LORD” thanking HIM for “standing by them,” “making a way,” “for healing a body,” “mending a mind,” “for opening doors.” As they hummed and talked to GOD, they were remembering to remember. Like exercise, we have to remember to remember again and again-- lest we forgot.
Today, “work at it.” Pray and exercise your brain.
Remember to remember, and BE BLESSED!
