Showing posts with label The Chief Butler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Chief Butler. Show all posts

20081022

Genesis 41:11 - Anytime, Anywhere Communication

And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
God's communication is always present, even while in confinement. God gave the baker and butler each a dream with a meaning of its own while they were in prison (Genesis 40:5), and likewise, God heard Jonah's prayer from within the belly of a fish (Jonah g2:2).

Genesis 41:10 - The Chief Butler remembers Joseph.

Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
The ward in the captain of the guard's house was a prison, the same place where Joseph was imprisoned (Genesis 40:3).

20081021

Genesis 40:23 - The Sin of Forgetting

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
This was a case of "out of sight, out of mind" in the face of good times. The butler had good intentions on helping Joseph but he forgot him as though he were dead (Psalm 31:12). When times are good we have a bad habit of forgetting those that helped us succeed (Amos 6:6, Hosea 13:6). This sin of forgetfulness happens when we become overly preoccupied with our own affairs which overshadows the interest of others.

20081016

Genesis 40:14 - It's a two-way street.

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
There is a marked resemblance between Joseph's request in consideration for his kindness and that of Rahab's. They both asked for help to be rescued and did not expect to be paid for their services. Their expectation was an act of kindness for a act of kindness in return (Joshua 2:12). I scratch your back; you scratch my back.

Genesis 40:8 - As a Instrument in God's Hands.

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
Joseph knew he could interpret the dream but only as a medium by which God would give them the answer they desired (Genesis 41:16 NIV).