Some may wonder why the butler was restored to his place, while the baker was hanged. But it is not the purpose of the Spirit of God to occupy us at any length with these two men, but rather to show how God used Joseph to reveal their destinies to each. There is, however, a gospel quality to this narrative.
When the butler told his dream to Joseph he said: “A vine was before me; and in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: and Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
The subject of his dream draws our attention to the words of our Lord Jesus who said, “I am the true vine.” John 15: 1. He explained that there can be no life or fruit in any branch except through the vine, thus assuring all that eternal life can never be secured except through Himself. The butler presents a picture of one, not occupied with his own merits, but looking to another source for life and redemption. Again the words of the Lord are brought to mind: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14: 6. The sinner, helpless in himself, guilty before God and in the place of death (like the butler in prison) must find his escape and reconciliation to God through some source other than himself. He must look to the Saviour and trust in His atoning work (for the pressed grapes tell of His blood shed for sinners). With faith relying on these sure tokens he will then immediately be accepted of God, his sins forgiven, and a glorious future assured him.
The baker’s dream on the other hand revealed his failure (in type) of securing a happy future. Death and judgment were before him. Occupied with himself and the works of his own hands, he saw no vine, no crushed grapes. In their place his eye rested proudly on the baskets of bakery goods which were no doubt attractively prepared, yet, devoured by the birds, never were presented to Pharaoh. He thus appeared empty-handed and was not accepted in the king’s presence.
The lesson is plain. Salvation can never be achieved by our own works. “Not by works of righteous. ness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Tit. 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). In the sight of God, the things of self that may seem so admirable are as filthy rags. The baker, in type, tells of the impossibility of pleasing God in this way. Faith in His beloved Son and in His finished work on Calvary is the only means of entrance into God’s presence and eternal life.
ML 04/23/1967