When Joseph was sold into slavery, and eventually wound up
in prison, Pharaoh’s Chief Butler and Chief Baker were also cast into prison.
The Butler and Baker each had a dream which God gave Joseph
the interpretation.
The Butler dreamed of a vine with three branches that
brought forth ripe grapes which he pressed into Pharaoh’s cup in his hand.
Joseph interpreted that in three days, the Butler would be restored to his
position.
Joseph then requested of the Chief Butler, “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: For indeed I
was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done
nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
The Baker dreamed he had three baskets of white pastries
stacked on his head and that birds ate from the top basket all the special
breads he had made for Pharaoh. Joseph interpreted that in three days, the
Baker would be hung. (Genesis 40:1-19)
The Butler and the grapes seem to be a type and shadow of
the blood and Spirit of Jesus. The Baker and his bread seem to be a type and
shadow of the body of Jesus.
The body of Jesus hung on a tree and died. But in three
days, His Spirit resurrected Him to life.
"And the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I
will give for the life of the world." - John 6:51 KJV
"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed,
and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body." -
Mark 14:22 KJV
On the third day, Pharaoh restored the Chief Butler to his
position, but he hung the Chief Baker, just as Joseph had interpreted their dreams.
(Genesis 40:20-22).
On the third day, after His death and burial, Jesus rose
again. (Luke 24:46).
The Butler, as the cup bearer, seems to be a type and shadow
of the Life that is in Jesus.
"And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he
gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my
blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." - Mark 14:23-24 KJV
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood..." -
Leviticus 17:11 KJV
Joseph had asked the Chief Butler to remember him.
"And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership
again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand... Yet did not the chief butler
remember Joseph, but forgat him." - Genesis 40:21, 23 KJV
Jesus told his disciples to remember Him when they would
take the cup.
"After the same manner also he took the cup, when he
had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." - 1 Corinthians 11:25 KJV
For two years, the Butler had forgotten to tell Pharaoh
there was an innocent Hebrew bound in prison.
"Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do
remember my faults this day:" - Genesis 41:9 KJV
Before we take the cup, we are to remember our faults.
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of
that bread, and drink of that cup." - 1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV
When we first come to God we repent. We crucify our flesh,
just as the baker was hung on the tree.
When we apply the blood of Jesus 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. (1Corinthians 15:22).
In communion, we examine and judge ourselves, as the Butler
remembered his faults.
When we remember Christ and His death, 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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