“Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.” Joseph continues to be a type of the rejected One — first cast out and forgotten by his brethren (Israel); and now left out of the thoughts of the Gentile whom he had befriended. Was it not thoughtless neglect for the butler now that he was restored in Pharaoh’s favor, with all the privileges of his courtly position, to forget Joseph’s request: “Think on me when it shall be well with thee?” While difficult to understand, we can see that Satan used this as another tool with which to attack Joseph, trying through discouragement to turn him away from faithful trust in God. The enemy, however, was unsuccessful and Joseph rained ever faithful to God.
What profitable lessons are found herein for every child of God! Joseph, faithful and steadfast regardless of circumstances, is a pattern of the Saviour Himself while here as a man — ever obedient to His Father; in a patient and forgiving spirit ministering to all around Him. It should be the desire of everyone who has proved the good of His salvation to ever “think on Him.” How sad to see a believer, at one time happy and rejoicing in Christ his Saviour, carelessly allowing things of this life to intrude into that happiness, and so busy with pursuits of this life that he fails to think on the One who has made his eternity secure and who longs to see His own going on in the joy of communion. May God exercise our hearts to more faithfulness in meditation on, and loving service to, the One who has given so much to redeem us.
The butler’s forgetfulness of Joseph has also a dispensational character. As a nation Israel has “forgotten its Maker” and the Gentiles, to whom great grace has been extended in the gospel have largely forgotten the Saviour too. Apostasy is rapidly advancing all around and in the end there will be a total falling away from the truth, excepting, of course, in those who, preserved by grace, will be kept faithful to the Lord.
It is to the Christian increasingly exposed to this declension that Scripture appeals: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them.” 1 Tim. 4: 15,16.
But there is another special appeal the Lord makes to the heart of every one of His redeemed, set forth in the Lord’s supper. “This do in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22: 19. He has graciously given us as memorials of His death the loaf (His body — in type) and the cup (His blood shed in type), telling us that in the eating of the bread and in the drinking of the cup, “ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” 1 Cor. 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26).
ML 04/30/1967