While Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh’s Butler and Baker were also cast into prison. The Butler and the Baker both had dreams. The Butler dreamed he was taking grapes and pressing them into Pharaoh’s cup. Joseph interpreted for him that in three days he would be restored to his position.
The Baker dreamed that birds ate all his bake goods that he
had in a basket on top of his head. Joseph interpreted for him that in three
days he would hang on a tree and die. (Genesis 40:1-19)
The Butler seems to represent the blood and Spirit of Jesus.
The Baker seems to represent the body of Jesus. Jesus’ flesh hung on a tree,
died, and was buried. But in three days, His Spirit resurrected Him to life.
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any
man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give
is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6.51)
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and
broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My
body."" (Mark 14:22)
"Now it came to pass on the third day, which was
Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up
the head of (summoned) the chief butler and of the chief baker among his
servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he
placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had
interpreted to them." (Genesis 40:20-22)
As the fulfillment of the dreams take place in three days,
Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection also take place in three days.
“Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer,
and to rise from the dead the third day” (Luke 24.46)
The Butler, as the cup bearer, seems to represent the Life
that is in Jesus.
"Then he (Jesus) took the cup, and when he had given
thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them,
"This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many." (Mark
14.23, 24)
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood…"
(Leviticus 17:11a)
After Joseph had interpreted the Butler’s dream, Joseph told
him to remember him.
"But remember me when it is well with you, and please
show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this
house (prison)." (Genesis 40:14)
"Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership
again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.… Yet the chief butler did not
remember Joseph, but forgot him." (Genesis 40:21, 23)
Just as Joseph told the Butler to remember him, Jesus told
his disciples to remember Him when they would take the cup with the fruit of
the vine.
"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper,
saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as
you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”" (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I
remember my faults this day." (Genesis 41:9)
For two years, the Butler had forgotten to tell Pharaoh
there was an innocent Hebrew bound in prison. Then, the Butler remembered his
faults.
Before we take communion, we are to remember our faults.
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the
bread, and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
When we repent, we crucify our flesh, just as the baker was
hung on the tree. When we apply Jesus’ blood in water baptism for the remission
of sins and receive the Holy Ghost, we are restored to God, as the Butler was
restored to his position with Pharaoh.
In communion, we examine and judge ourselves, as the Butler
remembered his faults. When we remember Christ, He is loosed and elevated in
our life to a position of power, salvation, and provision, as the Butler
remembered Joseph, who ascended from a place of being bound, to rule all the
land of Egypt, providing for and saving the world from famine.
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