The Butler and the Baker

The butler is restored to his position (freebibleimages.org).

Central Truth: Dream interpretations belong to God.

Scripture: Genesis 40

One day the pharaoh of Egypt became angry with his butler and his baker and threw them in prison. While they were in prison, Joseph was put in charge of them. One night, the butler and the baker each had a dream but did not know what the dream means. Joseph saw them looking sad and asked them why they looked so sad. The butler and the baker told Joseph that they each had a dream but there was no interpreter. Joseph tells them that interpretations belong to God and to tell him their dreams.

The butler tells Joseph that he dreamed of a vine with three branches that budded and blossomed and brought forth grapes. He had the pharaoh's cup in his hand and filled it with the grapes and gave it to the pharaoh. Joseph told the butler that in three days pharaoh will restore him to his position. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he is restored because he was wrongly accused and put into prison.

The baker then tells Joseph his dream of three baskets on his head full of bread. Birds came down and ate all that was in the baskets. Joseph tells the baker that in three days the pharaoh will execute the baker.

Joseph's interpretation of each man came to pass. The butler was restored to his position and the baker was put to death, but the butler forgot his promise to Joseph and did not remember him.

Joseph: the Incredible Dreamer was also used as a supplement to this week's lesson. It contains activities, puzzles, and coloring pages based on the Joseph story.