Bibledoorajar Follows Joseph Into the Palace

The magnificent servant, also known by some as simply a slave, was rushed to the palace of Pharoah. The challenge before him: to reveal the meaning of Pharoah's dreams. Simply put Pharoah had dreamed of seven very healthy cattle being ravaged by seven very emaciated and pitiful cattle. Again, he dreamed of seven healthy ears of grain being consumed by seven very unhealthy ears of grain. What in the world did the most powerful man on earth need to know? The servant was soon seen to be a revealer of secrets from God about the things that troubled Pharoah. Joseph, ever the humble servant, said he could not reveal the message, but God could through him and Pharoah could have peace. Could Joseph share a serious but hopeful message?  Joseph began to reveal a master plan of salvation to Pharoah.

Years later a More Wonderful Servant , also known by some as a simple carpenter, was rushed from the confines of the grave to reveal that the ultimate secret of eternal life with the Father was real and would come to all whom believed. For God's servants, death would be overcome. We can have peace. For three years Jesus revealed things about this great plan of salvation. Truly the best is yet to come. Be happy and....

"Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
let your laughter fill the air
Sing that sweet sweet song of salvation
and tell the people everywhere"

 Performed by Larry Norman and an inspiration to many a Christian in the 70's and 80's including me!

Bibledoorajar and Dreams

Joseph was bound in prison for something he did not do. In there with him were two miserable men. Both had had very vivid dreams the night before. And both of the men did not know what such a vivid dream meant. They were very tense and sad about not knowing the meaning. This was the first thing Joseph said to them: the interpretations will come from God and I will ask Him what they mean if you tell me about your dreams. Pharoah's butler started. His dream involved three grape vines entwined about his head and he took the grapes and squeezed them into a cup. Pharoah's baker then said he dreamed of having three baskets on his head and the top one was filled with baked goods. In the dreams, the butler was able to press the wine, fill the cup and place it into Pharoah's hand. But the birds came and ate the baker's baked goods and they never reached Pharoah's hand. To the butler, Joseph said the 3 vines symbolized three days and that at the end of that time period, the butler would be restored to full standing before the Pharoah. For this good report, Joseph asked to be remembered. However, to the baker, Joseph said that the three baskets were three days and at the end of the time period, his full standing before Pharoah would be forever cut off cursed by death.

It is said that if you want to see if someone's predictions are true, wait to see if they come true. Well, in this story the interpretations made by Joseph with God's help were spot on. Within three days the butler was back in good standing, but the baker reaped the curse of death. The butler was happy, but unfortunately he forgot to remember the one who gave him peace. Yesterday I took the Lord's Supper with fellow congregants. Thank God for the opportunity to remember the One who shed the blood that was pressed into the cup and that we symbolically drank. Our faith extended to the time at which He would bring us into full standing with the Father to be with Him always. But for those like the baker, who stand with their human works in their hands, expecting full restoration, beware, for human works will never fully restore. He that believes his own works will fully restore will be subject to damnation. Such a solemn reminder.  Don't forget to remember the One who alone gives peace.

"Peace, Perfect Peace, in this dark world of sin, the blood of Jesus whispers peace within."
                           Edward Bickersteth, 1875