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Welcome to my blog: I intend to share heartfelt writing about anything that comes to mind. |
| The chief baker and butler offended Pharoah. I kind of wonder what they did that got them thrown into prison, but the Bible doesn't say. https://biblehub.com/study/genesis/40-2.htm This website has some good information on this chapter. The ruler of Egypt was viewed as a god or son of their sun god. This gave him absolute authority over life and death. The chief butler position was like the personal server to the Pharoah. In verse 8, Joseph gives God the credit for interpreting dreams. In verses 14 and 15, Joseph's focus turns back to himself. While Joseph was learning humility, he seemed to have a bit of a pride issue too. Think back to his childhood. This is only part of why his brothers had hated him. He was his father's favorite and wasn't afraid to use this to his advantage. Butler's Dream: Three branches of grapes grew bountifully from a vine. The butler squeezed the grapes into the Pharoah's cup to make wine and handed it to the Pharoah as he had done before he went into prison. Interpretation: Three branches of grapes represented three days. In three days, the butler would be taken out of prison and his position would be restored. I find Genesis 40:4 interesting because it mentions Joseph being put in charge of the chief butler and baker, yet it also says he served them. This is a good example of a leader serving others, leading by example and humility. Joseph was a good leader because he cared about the people he served/lead. He noticed a change in their appearance. They were sad. Then he helped them by interpreting their dreams as God gave him the revelation of their meanings. When the baker observed that Joseph had given a good interpretation to the butler's dream, he told Joseph his own dream. Baker's Dream: Three white baskets were on the baker's head. The top basket was full of all kinds of baked goods. The birds came and were eating these baked goods right out of the baskets on his head. Interpretation: The three baskets were three days. The baker would be hanged in three days and die, and the birds would eat the flesh off of his dead body. In three days, it was Pharoah's birthday, and he had a big celebration. The butler's position was restored, and the baker was hanged where he died as Joseph had interpreted their dreams. Yet, after the butler had his position restored, he forgot all about Joseph. After the Pharoah had restored the butler's position, Joseph remained in prison for two more years until Paroah dreamed a dream that disturbed him. Pharoah's First Dream: Pharoah was standing by the river, probably the Nile River I'm assuming. Seven well-fattened cows came out of the river and began to graze in the meadow. Then seven more cows came out of the river that looked sick, thin, and overall unhealthy and they stood by the fat cows by the river. Then the unhealthy-looking cows ate up the fat cows. Pharoah woke up. Pharoah's Second Dream: Pharoah went back to sleep and dreamed again. This time, seven very good ears of corn came up on one stalk. After that, seven not-so-good ears of corn came up on a stalk and devoured the good ears. Both these dreams together disturbed Pharoah. Cows and corn were very important to the Egyptians. Cattle were sacred to the Egyptians. They were considered a symbol of power, fertility, and the divine. Corn was considered their most important crop and was a gift of the gods. It represented the cycles of life and death. None of Pharoah's wise men could give him the interpretation of the dream. Then the butler suddenly remembered Joseph who he had forgotten all about for the past two years. He tells Pharoah how Joseph, this Hebrew servant to the guard, who he had been in prison with had interpreted dreams for him and the baker and things had happened just as he told them they would. Pharoah called for Joseph upon hearing he could interpret dreams. They hastily went and got him from the prison. He shaved and changed clothes and was brought before Pharoah. It was customary in those days that Egyptian men were clean shaven, but Hebrew men had beards. I am imagining that grooming practices inside the prison weren't the greatest either, but of course that is speculation on my part. When Pharoah asked Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph replied, "It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Gen 41:16) Joseph gave God the credit for the interpretation of dreams. Then Pharoah told Joseph about his dreams. Interpretation of Pharoah's Dreams: God had shown Pharoah what he was about to do. Both dreams meant the same thing. The seven fat cows and good ears of corn represented seven years. The unhealthy cows and not-so-good ears of corn also represented seven years. There would be seven years of great plenty and abundance. Then seven years of harsh famine would follow the seven years of abundance. The famine would be so great that people would forget the seven years of plenty. The dream had been doubled by God because he had established it and would bring it to pass shortly. We can learn several truths from this story. We can trust in God and his sovereignty even in difficult circumstances. It is important for Christians to be trustworthy and faithful in their responsibilities. God's purpose often unfolds in some of the most unexpected ways. We must seek divine wisdom to guide the course and understanding of our lives. It is important to respect and submit to authority as long as it is within God's will. Finally, Pride comes before the fall. It is important to practice humility before God and man. |
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