The Butler, the Baker,
and Two Dreams Text Version
by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards
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DREAMS . . .
Everyone has dreams. Some dreams are good, some are scary, and some are funny or even adventurous. Most dreams don't really mean anything. They may be caused from watching a scary show, or eating too much of the wrong kind of food. But did you know that some dreams have very special meanings?
God sometimes gives people dreams for encouragement, guidance, and even warning. Many people in the Bible had these special dreams and were able to tell what they meant, but not very many people were able to interpret another person's dreams. That was a very special ability given by God to only a few chosen people. One of those people was Joseph.
Poor Joseph! First he was hated by his brothers because of his coat and his dream, then sold as a slave and forced to live far away from home in the land of Egypt. Then while trying to obey God and do what was right, he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. It seemed that things kept going from bad to worse. Certainly, if anyone had cause to complain and be angry, it would be Joseph!
But Joseph did not complain and did not become angry or bitter. Joseph chose to love God even in the worst of situations. While he was in prison, he continued to be a righteous young man and God blessed him. The prison official took notice of Joseph and liked him very much. Eventually, he put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. As long as Joseph was in charge, God caused even the prison official to prosper.
Meanwhile at the palace, Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, became upset with two of his servants and had them thrown in jail. The king's butler and baker ended up in the same prison with Joseph. One morning as Joseph was attending to his duties, he noticed that the butler and the baker were unusually sad. "Why are you so sad?" Joseph asked them.
"We both had dreams the same night, and we don't know what they mean. There is no one to help us understand these dreams," they explained.
Joseph said, "Don't be sad. Don't you know that God gives dreams and He can help us determine the meaning? Please tell me your dreams."
The butler was the first to tell his dream. "There was a vine, and in the vine were three branches. The branches budded into clusters of ripe grapes. King Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and squeezed the juice into Pharaoh's cup. Then I gave the cup to Pharaoh."
Joseph knew exactly what the dream meant, and he explained it to the Butler. "The three branches are three days. In three days, you will be released from prison and you will get your job back. You will be serving Pharaoh at his table once again."
As you might imagine, the butler was very happy to hear such good news and especially glad at the idea of getting out of prison! Joseph had one request to make of the butler: "When you are released and you stand before the king, please remember me and mention me to Pharaoh. I did nothing wrong and don't deserve to be here."
When the baker heard that the interpretation of the butler's dream was good, he decided to tell Joseph his dream. "I dreamed that I had three baskets stacked on the top of my head. The one on top was filled with all sorts of bread and baked goods. Birds flew overhead and ate all the food out of the basket."
Joseph also knew the meaning of this dream, and although it wasn't good, he told the baker the truth. "The three baskets are three days. In three days, you will be released from prison, but you will not go back to your job. King Pharaoh will have you killed."
Three days later, King Pharaoh had a big feast prepared because it was his birthday. He remembered his butler and his baker and called for them to be released from prison. The butler and baker nervously cleaned themselves up and made themselves presentable to stand before the king.
The butler was given his job back and was allowed to serve at the feast that very day. The baker was ordered out of the king's presence and was killed.
It all happened just as Joseph had said it would. The butler was so happy and so busy with his job that he forgot about Joseph and the promise he had made to mention him to the king. Unfortunately, Joseph had to spend another two years in jail, but he continued to love God even in prison, and the Lord continued to bless him!
THINK!
Do all dreams have special meaning?
What did Joseph do to deserve being put in jail?
What does "interpret" mean?
What did the butler's dream mean?
What did the baker's dream mean?
Was Joseph's interpretation of the dreams right or wrong?
How did Joseph know what the dreams meant?
REMEMBER:
Joseph continued to love God, even in prison, and God continued to bless him.
A VERSE TO LEARN
"The Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy" (Genesis 39:21a).
LET'S PRAY
****************************************************
Dear God, thank You for being with us in every
situation. Help us to remember that You always
love us help us to always love You.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
****************************************************
CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
Genesis 40:1-23
Butler and Baker
Butler, Baker, and Two Dreams
Joseph Colouring Book (Bible Heroes)
Joseph Coloring Pictures
Children's Coloring Books
Smart Coloring Books
The Butler and the Baker
Good News, Bad News
Joseph (Chronicles of Faith)
Joseph (Family Bible Story)
Joseph Tells the Meaning of the Prisoners' Dreams
Joseph and the Dream (Patricia Pingry)
Joseph--God's Superhero (Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids)
God's Dreamer: The Story of Joseph (Bible Wise)
Joseph
Joseph
Joseph The Dreamer
More Books about Joseph
The Birth of a Nation: Abraham to Joseph (listen and read online)
Children's Bible Stories
Children's Books
Bible Comes Alive Series CD Album 1 (Your Story Hour)
Episode 6 - Joseph the Dream Reader (Kids Bible)
Joseph DVD (Bible Collection)
Joseph and His Brothers DVD (Old Testament Bible Stories for Children)
Joseph and His Brothers (George W. Sarris)
Joseph Y Su Abrigo De Muchos (EMI-CMG)
Prince of Egypt / Joseph King of Dreams (2 DVDs)
Bible Stories Volumes 1 & 2
Amazing Bible Stories
Animated Kids Bible: Genesis Special 6-DVD Pack (Kids Bible Comp)
Bible: In the Beginning (Fox Faith)
Children's DVDs
Butler and Baker Word Search
Activities and Worksheet
God's Secret Agent: Joseph (King of Clubs) (TNT Ministries)
Joseph's online Dungeon Adventure Game
Joseph Game Board
Joseph's Journal (Newsbox Series)
Joseph's Great Adventure:
Reusable Sticker Puzzle Book (Sticker Books)
Joseph Saves His Family (Pack of 10) (Pencil Fun Book)
Windows To The Past: The Life Of Joseph (Two 15-pc wooden Bible story puzzles)
Lot, Stock, and Pharaoh:
Quizzles About Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
(Quizzles - Quizzes & Puzzles for the Whole Family)
Joseph in Prison Activities (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
The online Joseph Quiz
Puzzles
Children's Activity Books
The Butler, the Baker, and Two Dreams Story Cube Craft Activity
Pipe Cleaner Characters
Joseph Activities and Games
Bible Crafts & More For Ages 6-8
Bible Crafts On A Shoestring Budget-Grades 1 & 2
Big Book of Bible Crafts
Children's Crafts
- Tie-dye a T-shirt. This way each child can personally design their own shirt, and each time they wear it, they will be reminded that God is with them always, they are special to him, and that His love "covers" them through all situations and circumstances. (I work with a lot of children from dysfunctional families who go through horror stories on a regular basis. They need to know God is with them at all times.) Basically, all you need to do is have several different bowls of clothing dye, a T-shirt for each child, and rubber bands. Tightly wrap rubber bands intermittently around different parts of the white T-shirt. Dip only portions of the shirt into different colors. Let dry, remove bands, and praise the Lord you have a "shirt" of many colors.
- Should it be a smaller church or a lot of children, to defray the expense, you could purchase white handkerchiefs at a dollar store and do the same thing. This would give each child something to place under his pillow or carry with him as a reminder.
- With your picture of Joseph to color, you could have prepared strips of tissue paper to be glued on the picture or you could use construction paper as well. I have found tissue paper is sometimes easier to use, because it is not as stiff and "turns corners" better.
- Submitted by Karin Adams
In His Dreams
Children's Music
TEACHER'S RESOURCES
Commentaries on the chief butler and baker of Pharaoh
God's Secret Agent: Joseph (King of Clubs) (TNT Ministries)
Joseph (Jewish Virtual Library)
Joseph: A Story
Joseph Goes to Jail (pdf) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Joseph Goes to Prison
Joseph Bible Story Series
Joseph the Prisoner (pdf) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Joseph - Parent Guide
Joseph Gameboard
Joseph by F B Meyer
Why the butler lived while the baker died
Children's Church
Bible Memory Games (Creative Bible Activities for Children)
Bulletin Board helps
Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul
Church Nanny Sos: Teaching Discipline Essentials for Preschool Ministry Volunteers
801 Questions Kids Ask About God (Focus on the Family)
52 Games That Teach The Bible
Hermie Scripture Memory
How to Lead a Child to Christ
How to Lead Your Child to Christ (Focus on the Family)
Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids (Kay Arthur)
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
Object Talks
Puppet Scripts
Reproducibles
Sunday School Attendance Boosters: 165 Fresh Ideas
Talking to God (Instant Bible Lessons)
Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5
Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5
What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know (by Elmer Towns)
More Sunday School Helps
BIBLE STORY ARCHIVE
http://childrenschapel.org/bibstory2.html
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Copyright © 2009 by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards.
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