Presume Not

Many of us live lives of presuming things, without even being conscious of how very much a part of our daily lives presumption is. We simply just take things for granted, without consideration or due thought. We presume when we believe something to be the case, because it is very likely. We look at what happens to others and presume the same for us, because we share similar situations.

This is most common with believers, when it comes to speaking about God the Father. We even tell people words such as these. God did it for me, so He’ll do the same for you. We speak these words glibly, without even considering the thoughts and ways of God. Is not this the case?

Mind-Halt: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. 

Today we go to a not so familiar incident in the Old Testament, in terms of its frequency of usage. It is the story of the Butler and the Baker. We are told that the king of Egypt was very angry with his chief butler and his chief baker and had them put in prison. It was the same place where Joseph was confined. One day, Joseph saw these two chief servants of the king looking very forlorn indeed. When he inquired as to their sadness, they told him that they each had a dream, but had no interpretation. Joseph offered to interpret their dreams.

The chief butler said this. Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. Genesis 40: 9b – 11 NKJV. Joseph told him that the three branches were days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. Genesis 40: 13 NKJV.

However, when the chief baker heard the interpretation and saw that it was good, he presumed that he would share the same favour and told his dream to Joseph. Why would he think or presume such a thought? I believe it is because of the similarities. Here are some of them.

Similarity 1 – Both were chief officers of the king of Egypt.

Similarity 2 – Both were in prison for making the king very angry indeed.

Similarity 3 - Both had dreams from God on the same night.

Similarity 4 – Both featured prominently in their dreams.

Similarity 5 – Both had the number three – three vines and three baskets - in their dreams.

Similarity 6 - Both had produce related to their former duties.

Similarity 7 – Both had something to offer the king once more. The butler had wine and the baker had bread.

Mind-Halt: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. 

Listen to how the baker tells Joseph. I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head. Genesis 40: 16b - 17 NKJV.  It is clear that he thought the same for himself based on similarities.

Alas! The thoughts and ways of God are not ours and although one was reinstated, and served the king again, the other was not given that opportunity. I have recounted this incident only to impress upon our minds that God does not operate as we think, therefore it is imperative that we always seek His mind, before even thinking things. 

Never presume to talk for God, or to think for Him.