Dreams

Genesis 40 the Prisoner's Dreams.

I have for a long time read this and thought to myself, "What?!" Really, we need to know some more about how God allowed Joseph interpret dreams? And then I though, who really cares what happens to the baker and the wine taster? Is there some valuable life lesson in here somewhere? There is!!! It's simple, yet hidden. This passage gives us a look at the whole story of Jesus!! Allow me to explain. There are a lot of characters in this story, and a lot of symbols, but when you put them all together they give a picture of Christ.

Lets start off with Joseph. Here's a man in prison, condemned for doing nothing wrong. While there he serves boldly and loyally and accepts the position that he's been given. Then there is Pharaoh. He is the supreme ruler. What he says is law. He simply needs to "speak it" and it will become so. (are you seeing a picture here yet?) Then there are the baker and the wine taster, just regular people doing their jobs trying to get by. Let's not forget though, that we have set of dreams that involve symbols, the wine and the bread. Are you starting to see here folks that there is a story of Christ hidden in this passage.

So what of it, Gary; where is this going?

Joseph represents Christ's service and loyalty to the Father even when he's done absolutely nothing wrong.
Pharaoh represents the Father. His law is final. His decisions are unquestionable.
The wine taster and the baker represent us in all of our short comings and failures. (remember, they were in prison for doing something)
Finally the picture symbols...the bread in the dream on the head of the baker. A representation of Christ's body, broken and given out for all to just take and eat. The wine in the cup, a symbol of the blood shed for the sins of the world, PLACED in the Pharaoh's hand. The pole that the bread maker was placed upon, sound like a cross? And finally the 3 days from the dream to the completion...a crucifixion and resurrection.

God had a dream that Jesus would be the Bread of Life, that His blood would be the sacrifice to cover all sins. That he would live a sinless life and be condemned for doing nothing wrong. That He would be hung on a tree to die. That after 3 days, He would raise from the dead victorious over sin and death, so that all could be fed!

When we look at the Bible, we have to remember that it is the Word. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God. Jesus Christ is the Word, therefore, the Bible is Jesus. When we read it, we should see Him. In every passage, we are to seek His face. Find His Glory revealed.

These aren't stories for us to live our lives by, this book, the Bible is a photo album of Jesus Himself. Yes, there are valuable life lessons and practical principles in the Bible for us to use as a compass in our lives, but the real purpose for the Bible is to show us Jesus!