To: 6 readers
From: Su Min
Subject: Butler & Baker
Dearly beloved,
let me begin by sharing a nice card I found called
...Heaven's Grocery Store...
Hallelujah, we thank God for that! Well, back to Genesis 40. We join Joseph in the dungeon, placed there under false charges of attempted rape. And we find that the Lord was with Joseph, even as he was falsely imprisoned, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Just as he was once in the good books of Potiphar, so too was Joseph in the good books of the keeper of the prison, who thought well of Joseph, and placed Joseph in charge of all those who were held in prison.
I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read Heaven's Grocery Store.
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide,
And when I came to myself, I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said, "My child, shop with care".
Everything a Christian needed was in the Grocery Store.
And if you couldn't carry them, you could come back for more.
First I got some PATIENCE. LOVE was in the same row.
Further down was UNDERSTANDING. You need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH.
I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost, for he was all over the place.
I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me win the race,
and though my basket was getting full I remembered to get some GRACE.
I didn't forget SALVATION, for salvation, that was free.
So, I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.
Then I started up the counter to pay the grocery bill
For I thought I had everything to do my Master's will.
As I went up the aisle I saw PRAYER and I just had to put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside, I would run into SIN.
PEACE and JOY were plentiful, they were on the last shelf.
SONG and PRAISES were hanging near so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the Angel, Now how much do I owe?
He just smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go"
Again I smiled at him and said How much do I really owe?
The Angel smiled again and said "My child,
Jesus paid your bill long ago".
The Butler and the Baker (the Chief Butler and the Chief Baker of the Pharaoh, King Of Egypt, that is to say) had offended their master and were cast into the same prison, placed under Joseph's supervision (Gen 40:1-4).
Behold, one night both Butler and Baker had a dream (Gen 40:5).
Joseph gives glory to God, declaring that interpretations of these dreams are given by God (Gen 40:8). Joseph proceeds to give the interpretation of Butler's dream, predicting in 3 days freedom and reinstatement. He implores Butler to remember Joseph kindly (Gen 40:14), stating clearly that he had done nothing to deserve being in prison (Gen 40: 15).
Baker was keen for interpretation of his dream (Gen 40:16). Joseph reveals that the dream declares the end of the baker. And the predictions were true (Gen 40:20-22):in 3 days time Butler was reinstated and Baker was executed. Glory to God!
But Butler forgot to remember Joseph, and Joseph was to languish in jail for a full two years.. but that is the story for tomorrow night said the princess to the sheikh...
Let us close in prayer.
Father, thank you for your lesson today.
Love Dad.
Thank you for showing us how you were faithful to Joseph, even in his times of troubles in prison. That you allowed Joseph to find favour in the eyes of the prison warder, and that you placed the Butler and Baker under Joseph's charge. This was to provide the setting for the interpretation of dreams and this was part of your plan that Joseph may be reinstated in the court of Pharaoh.
Father, we may not always understand your plans for us but we know that you do have a perfect plan for us. We thank you father that you have given us your holy word that we may study it and find guidance and comfort from you directly.
We thank you in the name of He who was crucified, who was dead, buried, yet conquered death and rose victorious to reign for ever, the same Jesus, the Christ.
Amen.
For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min
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