THE MYSTERIOUS GRACE OF GOD IS SHOWN IN A JAIL HOUSE IN EGYPT IN AN AMAZING WAY

• The terrible series of events that dragged Joseph to the bottom of the prison did not find him lacking.
• God has used prison experiences for great purposes - John Bunyan, Apostle Paul
• The strange set of circumstances typifies the entire human race, showing two types of people and their response to God leading to two separate destinies-

I. THE MINISTRY OF JOSEPH IN JAIL  Gen 39:20-40:8

Joseph reached prison- v.20, the very bottom of the suffering ladder- deserted, despised, etc.

A. JOSEPH FOUND FAVOR IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD 39:21 - WHO CARES WHAT MEN MAY SAY OR THINK?

• The Lord was with Joseph- Rom 8:28 still applies; the Lord's mercies and favor is worth it all
• v. 22 Joseph became a type of Christ- given the responsibility of caring for the prisoners
• "After these things" v.1, here is a strange set of circumstances showing the gospel of Christ

B. PHARAOH WAS VERY WROTH - v.2 - THERE IS NO RECORD OF WHY THE EARTHLY KING WAS ANGRY- BUT GREAT SYMBOLISM

• This is a picture of the King of all Glory - the Almighty God- with power of life and death
• He was offended- v.1; these two men had sin in their lives- and sin provokes God's wrath
• The Pharaoh was wroth- v.2 - The wrath of God is against all lack of faith - John 3:36

C. THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD TRUSTED JOSEPH v. 4

• This man may well have been Potiphar, the man of Chapter 39, could do nothing else for Joseph
• The two men of the story were bound with Joseph- and Jesus partook of same flesh as all men
• Indeed, our weak, marred image of God, flesh is a prison house- no escape for Jesus

Every man serves his season of life in prison house of the flesh - how do you fare?

II. THE DREAM OF THE CHIEF BUTLER  v. 9-15

V. 8 We dream dreams- and God gives us revelation through the seat of the conscience

A. THE VINE WAS BEFORE ME - v. 9

• A beautiful picture of salvation found in Jesus Christ - John 15 - "He is the vine"
• The branches - shoot forth- a picture of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
• In the fruitful vine there is grace enough for you- and it is all of God's doing

B. PHARAOH'S CUP WAS IN MY HAND  v. 11

• Because of what the vine did- the butler could serve Pharaoh-
• The grapes were pressed to the cup- "Nothing in my hand I bring- Simply to Thy cross I cling"
• The cup to Pharaoh - the picture of the sinner offering before God his claim to Christ's blood

C. THE INTERPRETATION IS FOR THREE DAYS  v. 12

• The butler had to wait for three days- and so do we - the day of flesh, of death, and of judgment
• Lift up your head- v.13 by faith now- and when the Lord comes- by fact- man's nobility with God
• The glory of serving the Lord now- and all eternity- made possible by blood of Christ

V. 14  Joseph only asked- remember me- do we remember to be thankful to Christ?

III. THE DREAM OF THE BAKER  v. 16-22

He saw Joseph interpret good for the butler- and he wanted good too- but no "me to salvation"

A. THERE WERE THREE BASKETS OF WHITE ON HIS HEAD  v. 16-17a

• This showed not a hand of faith- plucking grapes, but a head of intellect- offering to God
• The baskets - filled with the white breads- self-righteous works, good deeds - Cain's offering
• The fruit of the Spirit versus the works of the flesh - be sure we choose best for God

B. THE BIRDS DID EAT THEM OUT OF THE BASKET UPON MY HEAD  v.17b

• The fine man-made good works - sweet to man - but devoured by birds- Matt 13:4,19
• All our good works end up mocking us, and dishonoring God- total depravity of mankind
• The just shall live by faith - and know that all our good works are nothing in God's sight

C. THE INTERPRETATION IS FOR THREE DAYS  v. 18

• The gospel contains wrath - Rom 1;17-18, as well as grace, and judgment has fallen!
• The unrepentant had his head lifted up, too- but upon a tree, in a hangman's noose
• The terrible judgement - birds eating the flesh of the baker

All this happened on Pharaoh's birthday- Jesus will have a Second Coming Day soon!

WHAT WILL BE YOUR FATE WHEN THE LORD CALLS FOR HIS FEAST CELEBRATING HIS SECOND COMING?

• Will you be as the butler - offering fruit of the vine - marred fellowship restored- accepted?
• Will you be like the baker - offering works of hands- human good leads but to wrath!
• Whatever your choice of destiny, do not forget Joseph while you continue to labor!