To Be like him

DEVOTION

GENESIS

TO BE LIKE HIM

Gen 40:16-23

16 When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, "I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread.   17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head." 18 "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." 20 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, 22 but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. 23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

NIV

As we have already spent time with the cupbearer and dreams, concerning the issue of trusting God rather than other gods. Here the dream of the baker does not give rise to very much hope, in fact, it is prophetic of his death. Again we are back at the point, it is God who gives the interpretations of dreams. That is not to say every dream we have has some Godly interpretation or is prophetic in nature. But as far as the cupbearer and baker, theirs were certainly both Godly and prophetic. We might get our lesson once again from the cupbearer. When Pharaoh did as Joseph gave the interpretations, the baker being hanged and the cupbearer given grace and restored to his cupbearer position, he forgot all about Joseph. He was so overjoyed at his own good fortune, he could only think of himself. We might think that considering his fellow servant was hanged to death and he was restored, he would have remembered their two dreams and who it was who interpreted them. But no, that was not the case, he simply was all about himself. Even with the foreknowledge of the rest of the story and how when Pharaoh had a dream and none of his magicians could tell him the meaning. Then the cupbearer remembers Joseph, but a full two years has gone by. Again, it was in his own interest. He knew someone who could do what all Pharaoh’s magicians could not. Certainly that would make him look good in the eyes of Pharaoh. So our lesson is in the cupbearer’s self-absorbed life. Certainly good things have happened to us due to the actions of others. Someone hired us at our employment. Was it because we were the greatest candidate? Perhaps. But the decision was made by God and he softened the heart of the interviewer toward us. Yet, it would show a grateful spirit to be thankful toward our employer, even expressing that thanks. Whenever someone does some act of kindness toward us, it would be beneficial to give thanks. This attitude of gratefulness demonstrates we care about others. It says we are not self-absorbed. It shows a witness for Christ. One who is always thinking of self usually acts only for the benefit of self. One who is thinking about others usually acts for the benefit of others. This is not to say we never should be concerned about our own well-being. But the scriptures do teach us to not think more highly of ourselves then we should.

Rom 12:3

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

NIV

There is so much in this next passage it would have been a book in itself, but we can glean much from it.

Rom 12:9

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ………..16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

NIV

These are characteristics found in a person who is not self-absorbed, such as the cupbearer. Here is where we need to do that self-examination thing. This is the one time we need to think about ourselves more than others. It is easier to find the faults of others then it is our own. Although we are admonished not to think about ourselves more than others, this is the one intense we are supposed to think about ourselves more than others. The cupbearer was only thinking of himself. We cannot do that in our relationships. This time of self-examination should reveal to us if we are more like Jesus or more like the cupbearer. Our desire is to be more like Jesus, to be like him.