The Baker, Butler and the Peace Maker
Text: Gen. 40
Introduction: Joseph had been rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery in Egypt, falsely accused and sentence to the prison. It was while in prison that Joseph meets two prisoners of the Pharaoh. Joseph was assigned to them and during their term, each of them had dreams of which Joseph interpreted. The butler was restored to his responsibilities squeezing grapes, but the baker was hung on a tree. There is hardly a more precise picture of the work of Christ on the cross, than is found here in this body of scripture. We can best glean the truths from these verses by focusing on the prisoners’ failure, their friend, and their future.
1. The Prisoners’ Failure
A. Their Offense, v. 1
Genesis 40:1
It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
Romans 5:18
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men…
B. Their Sentence, v. 3
Genesis 40:3
So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…
Ephes. 2:1 … who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Innocent yet guilty
C. They were sad, v. 6
2. The Prisoners’ Friend
There is no one more representative of Jesus in the Bible than Joseph. Look at a few of the similarities: loved by his father, rejected by his brothers, sold for silver, tempted and did not sin, imprisoned on false charges, imprisoned with two malefactors (one to life, one to death) thirty years old when he began his ministry in Egypt.
A. God’s Servant, v. 4
Genesis 40:4
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while.
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Philip. 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
B. God’s Spokesman, 8, 12-13, 18
Genesis 40:8
And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please."
Genesis 40:12-13
And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. [13] Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler.
Genesis 40:18
So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days.
Jesus when speaking at Nazareth declared; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to “…preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18)
He led captivity captive and gave gifts to man
1. He spoke restoration, v. 13
Genesis 40:13
Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler.
Isaiah 42:22-25 But this is a people robbed and plundered;
All of them are snared in holes, And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, "Restore!" [23] Who among you will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? [24] Who gave Jacob for plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Was it not the Lord, He against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in His ways, Nor were they obedient to His law. [25] Therefore He has poured on him the fury of His anger And the strength of battle; It has set him on fire all around, Yet he did not know; And it burned him, Yet he did not take it to heart.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
2 Cor. 5:18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Jesus said to the adulterous woman, “Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.”
2. He spoke judgment, v. 18-19
Genesis 40:18-19
"This is what it means," Joseph said. "The three baskets are three days. [19] Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh."
John 3:18-20
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
3. The Prisoners’ Future, vv. 20-21
Genesis 40:20-21
Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: [21] He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand,
A. Dream for Deliverance, v. 8
Genesis 40:8
And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please."
B. Invitation to Interpretation, v. 8
Genesis 40:8
And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please."
C. Restoration or Condemnation, v. 13, 18-19
Genesis 40:13
Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.
Genesis 40:18-19
"This is what it means," Joseph said. "The three baskets are three days. [19] Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh."
1. The Baker was condemned to death and represents those who reject the Savior.
2. The Butler represents the individual who has been given a new life in Christ and is flowing in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: As we prepare to participate in communion notice these irresistible facts:
1. Jesus was hung on a cross
2. Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb for three days before resurrection
3. The Baker represents the Bread of communion; the Butler represents the Blood.
4. The reason for communion is to remember -- notice in the last verse that the butler forgot Joseph.
