R. Tyler Scott
Have a great day and enjoy today’s devotion.
Day Twelve
Genesis 40:1-15 ;41:9-13,33-44
Joseph and The Butler
Many times the servants who assist God’s servants are fellow followers of God. But sometimes, God uses those who have no idea who God is to aid and advance the affairs and efforts of his servants. This is what we find in the story of Joseph and Pharaohs butler. Joseph was in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The Butler came into prison for a crime he did commit. He was jailed for angering Pharaoh along with the Baker. Scripture says after being in prison for a season, they both dreamed a dream. Joseph, who was in charge of these men while they were in prison, saw that they were sad and asked them why they were looking so down. They had each one dreamed a dream and neither knew the interpretation of it. After he heard the Butler’s dream, Joseph told him that in three days he would be released from prison and put back into his former position. After interpreting the dream for him, Joseph asked the Butler to not forget him when he regained his position because he was imprisoned unjustly. The baker had a dream also, but the interpretation was not as pleasant for him, so we will not go into it. Just as Joseph had foreseen, the butler was released and returned to his former position. Everything went just as Joseph had planned but unfortunately the Butler forgot what Joseph had asked him to do for two years. Then one day, Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. Suddenly the baker remembered and told Pharaoh about Joseph who immediately called for him to be brought out of prison. After hearing Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph interpreted the dream with such clarity everyone in Pharaohs court was amazed. Pharaoh then rescinded Joseph’s prison term and made him the number two man in Egypt.
Many sermon’s and studies have been written about Joseph and his situation. Because he was situated exactly where he was, not only was Joseph blessed, but he was able to save the people of Egypt and also his Father, his brothers, their wives and all their children. Joseph even told his brothers later in Genesis that even though they meant what they did to him for evil, God meant it for good, so he was not able to hold it against them. You see, God’s plans are not our plans and our idea’s are not God’s idea’s.
When we all go through our lives, we need to remember that sometimes we are the helper and sometimes we are the helpee. Not only was the butler in prison, but he was under Joseph’s authority. But Joseph was watching for ways to help people, hence he was serving those who had nothing to give him which is the true sign of a servant. The butler was able to help Joseph, not because of anything he was at that moment, but because of what he was going to be. You see, sometimes people serve us and do things for us and at that moment, we have nothing to give them but thanks and a good stiff handshake or a hug. But we should always be on the lookout to pass back to someone the good they did for you. There is no question that the butler remembered Joseph and his situation at the exact moment that would be most beneficial to Joseph and God’s work. However, we as Christians need to remember that each day we live we need to look for opportunities to help anyone, especially someone who may have helped us when we could not help ourselves. I don’t think God expects us to go around with a tally book making entry’s when someone helps us and marking off if we ever return that favor. I do believe that he expects us to follow through when he prompts us too.
The butler was thrown into prison because he did something wrong. He was released from prison so that he could do something right. We as Christians have been released from a prison of sin and we should look for every opportunity God gives us to fulfill what we owe. Sometimes it may be doing something for someone and other times it is simply serving God. Either way, God has given us so much, there is no way we could ever pay him back. We are just required to give our best and he will handle the rest. If you have ever had one of God’s servants do something for you and this study reminded you of it, don’t allow time to take that memory from you. Go and take care of it because in doing so, not only will you be a blessing to someone, but God will remember your actions and it will please him. When it gets down to it, shouldn’t pleasing God be our ultimate goal?
