Accepting or Rejecting Christ: Genesis 40:19-41:1

Genesis 40:19‑41:1  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The bakemeats which the baker had prepared for Pharaoh, in his dream, would remind us of the good works which a sinner might try to do for God. It was no doubt a good deal of hard work to prepare this tasty food, and it looked lovely in the nice white basket, but it did not bring him into favor with Pharaoh. The good works of a sinner may look very fine in the eyes of others too, but God says, “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). The very best that you can do, if you are unsaved, is just like filthy rags in the presence of God. It is like Adam’s fig-leaf apron — utterly useless to make you prepared to stand before Him. But why was the butler accepted while the baker was rejected? The answer is very simple. He did not bring anything of his own work. He simply put into Pharaoh’s hand that which spoke of the shed blood of Christ — that was all. Nothing else would do, and nothing else will do for you, and let us assure you now that if you reject God’s way of salvation, there are death and judgment before you, just as there was death before the baker in spite of all his fine baking for Pharaoh. Perhaps you are saying, “Well, I’ll take my chance,” but there is no chance about it. If you reject Christ, there is certain judgment before you; if you accept Him, you will be saved forever. Joseph’s word came true, and so will every Word of the Bible, for it abides forever.
Saved by Grace
Before we pass on let us make it very clear that it is not anything which we can do that saves our souls. There are so many today who depend on good works, character building, going to church, prayers, penance, and the like, but one passage of God’s Word settles the matter once and for all, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). Just take your place as a sinner before God, and let the words of the little hymn be the true expression of your heart NOW.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
Oh! Lamb of God, I come.
The Lord Jesus to Reign
Two full years rolled by and Joseph was still in prison. The butler had for­gotten all about him, but the Lord still had His eye on His devoted servant. His dreams were soon to be fulfilled, and he was to be lord of Egypt in spite of all the hatred of his brethren, and the wrong treatment of the Egyptians. So, too, it is almost two thousand years since the Lord Jesus was rejected by this world, both the Jews and Gentiles sharing in the guilt, but God is soon going to manifest Him as Lord of all. God has not forgotten what this world did to His Son, and He will see to it that He is honored when His time comes. That time is getting very near, and the world is becoming rapidly worse. Men are trying to forget about the One whom they crucified, and they are “treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:55But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (Romans 2:5)).
Before God’s judgments fall, the Lord Jesus will come and take His own to glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and then, after seven years of terrible tribulation, the cry will be made, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:1515And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)).
Further Meditation
1. What do the bakemeats prepared by the chief baker for Pharaoh represent to us?
2. Grace is a wonderfully simple plan of God that is terribly hard to grasp for the natural heart. What does Ephesians 2:7-97That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:7‑9) tell us is true of grace?
3. Many people read gospel papers quickly with little thought for anything other than the story they are reading. However you might find real refreshment for your soul by reading a volume such as Echoes of Grace: “Under the Blood”. It’s a collection of gospel stories that presents the way of salvation, but it includes many that present grace. Read it with soul hunger, and you’ll find lots of soul food.