Joseph was seventeen when he was sold into slavery and thirty when Pharaoh eventually called him to service. His faith was strong and he held onto the dreams that were given to him while still in his father’s house. These experiences, while in captivity, grows his faith and witnesses that God is in control and works out His promises. This gives hope and assurance that God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do.
Joseph is in prison, and it is not clear how long he was in prison before the butler and baker joined him; for the Bible only states, “And it came to pass after these things, …”
In some way, the butler and the baker offended the king of Egypt and he threw them in prison, under the captain of the guard. As we already know, the captain of the guard is Potiphar. Potiphar made Joseph in charge over the baker and the butler. The bible tells us that Joseph served them and they were together for a season.
The Two Dreams
The butler and the baker both had dreams on the same night. The next morning Joseph came in and he could tell by the look on their face they were sad or troubled. Joseph asked them what was the concern. Both men told Joseph that they had a dream and they do not understand what it means. Joseph then encourages them and tells that the interpretation of dreams belongs to God. In fact, in the Bible, God spoke to non-believers or pagans in dreams almost twice as many times as He spoke to His people in dreams. Joseph then encourages them to tell him about their dreams and he was confident that God knew what these dreams meant.
Dream Are Important
In their part of the world, people took their dreams very seriously. Before God’s word was written down in the Bible, God often spoke to people through dreams (Genesis 20:3, 28:12, 31:11,24; Numbers 12:6; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 2:1, 7:1; Matthew 1:20, 2:13, 2:22, 27:19); are a few examples). Kings and Pharaohs had men who claimed that they could interpret dreams. Since the cupbearer and baker were in prison, they did not have access to Pharaoh’s interpreters. They didn’t know that the only true interpretations came from the Lord. Joseph let them know that only the all-knowing God could tell them what their dreams meant. Because Joseph abided with God, God would reveal the meanings to him.
Lifted Up
Two elements are particularly emphasized in the dreams of the palace servants: that they would both be lifted up (vs. 13, 19, 20), and that it would happen on the third day (“three” and “third” are repeated nine times (vs. 9-20). The third day is the day of being raised up, which brings triumph or tragedy. In his great chapter on the resurrection, Paul tells the Corinthians that Christ was “raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4). We think of Jonah as a prediction that Christ’s resurrection would be on the third day, and maybe Hosea 6:2. But perhaps even in Genesis 40 we are taught that the third day is the day of being lifted up. Certainly, Christ’s resurrection brings both triumph for Him and those who are united to Him and tragedy for all who stand against Him, including death itself (1 Cor. 15:54–55).
The Butler
The butler said that in his dream there was a vine, and in the vine were three budded branches. The blossoms came forth and the clusters of blossoms brought forth ripe grapes. Then he saw Pharaoh’s cup in his hand. The butler took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and gave the cup to Pharaoh.
God gave Joseph the understanding of the dream. Joseph told the butler that in three days Pharaoh will restore him to his job. Joseph asked the butler to remember him by making mention of him to Pharaoh so possibly he could also get out of prison. Joseph told him that he was stolen away from his homeland and that he done nothing wrong to be placed into prison.
Do you see Jesus in this story? Jesus was lifted up and restored on the third day. The branches budded and was a fruitful vine bringing forth grapes. The freshly pressed grapes into the cup represent grape juice or unfermented drink. At the ‘last supper’, Christ stated that the wine (unfermented) represented His blood that was spilled for them. Isaiah 65:8 refers when he speaks of the new wine “in the cluster”, and says, “destroy it not; for a blessing is in it.”
Note: Fermented drink is described as a ‘mocker’. Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” One must look at context to know if the text is referring juice which is unfermented, or fermented drink. The next blog will discuss the topic of ‘wine’ in the bible.
The Baker
When the chief baker hears the good interpretation of the butler’s dream, he asked Joseph for an interpretation as well. The baker may have expected a similar interpretation, if so, it would be short lived. The three white baskets represented three days. The removal of the bakemeats from the uppermost basket, pictures the loss of responsibilities and life. Joseph continued and informed the baker that specifically in three days he would be hung from a tree and the birds would devour his flesh. This was a disgraceful way to die.
It is interesting that ‘white’ is the color of the baskets. White, in the bible, represents purity, righteousness, and forgiveness. In three days, the baker was lifted upon a tree and died. Then birds came and ate his flesh, which reminds of a verse in Revelation 18 where it speaks of ‘unclean and hateful birds’. In scripture, these types of birds symbolize false teachers and leaders…’wicked men’ that ‘catch men’ (Jer. 5:26-27). These people are morally and spiritually unclean and act as vicious carnivorous birds. Do we see Jesus in this depiction? Jesus was pure, righteous, and full of forgiveness. The only sinless and innocent person that ever lived, and because of the hate of wicked men who were false teachers and leaders they plotted to end His life. They disgraced Him in the way that he was crucified, beaten, flogged, spit in His face, striped Him of his clothes, sign hung above His head, crowned Him with a crown of thorns, and finally stabbed Him in the side.
Joseph Forgotten
The butler forgot about Joseph, and was stuck in that prison for TWO more years! See Genesis 41:1. But Joseph was not alone in that prison. God remained with him. God gave Joseph the grace that gave him strength and comfort. God did not forget Joseph, no did He forget the promise He made to Joseph back in Canaan through Joseph’s two dreams. As you continue to study Genesis, you will see that God fulfilled his promise as he always does. It is usually not the way we think it will turn our in our life.
Joseph’s Faith
Joseph allows God to use him to touch other peoples’ lives no matter what situation he finds himself in. An example of his faith is highlighted when he is thrown into prison and befriends a baker and a cupbearer (butler). He gives glory to God and confidently says what God is capable of doing with no question or doubt. As they story of Joseph unfolds during his captivity in Egypt, it is clear that he has an unwavering faith. You can have this type of faith too.
Joseph was will to be prepared and used greatly for a troubling time. God was with Joseph in all the steps and stops of Joseph’s life. Are you willing to endure the greatness of God’s preparation for your life?
Type and Antitype
In this, Joseph shows us Jesus. An innocent Man came into our prison and lived our hardships and temptations, suffering worse than all, yet He never looks for our pity. He asks us, “Why are you troubled?” (Luke 24:38). As Jesus walks us through the sanctifying process, our thoughts and action will become more like his; and we will truly care about the needs of others, even when our needs are apparent.
Joseph also demonstrates that we are to be a faithful deliver of the messages, just as Jesus did. The messages are of deliverance and judgment, for this is the whole message of God. Both messages are to be presented out of love, for God is love (1 Jn. 4:7-21).
Most striking, is that Joseph was an innocent man of the charges against him, who went to prison and shared in the conditions of the prisoners. He revealed God’s messages of deliverance and judgment, and the innocent prisoner was proved true in three days. Can you see Jesus in this story?
The Message for Us
There is a message for us; one is about restoration of all things, and the other is a message of judgment and condemnation. It is our choice which one we chose.
The message from God brings either life or death to these two men. However, Jesus’ message, on a greater scale, brings the message of life to all who are guilty. Who is guilty? All. Who can receive deliverance? All. How? By accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and confess to Him your sins. Follow Him for a sanctified life, which prepares you for the glorified life to come.