Hey - bring me more wine! But hang the baker first!

The Book of Genesis recounts an event where Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief baker and chief cupbearer.  Both the baker and the cupbearer had offended Pharaoh and were put into jail.  The Bible says both men had dreams during their first night in prison, and woke upset by these dreams the next day.  Joseph interpreted their dreams, and the Bible goes on to say the interpretations both came to pass.  The cupbearer was restored to his position and the baker was executed. 

I don’t normally spend much time discussing theology or Biblical interpretation in this blog, but really felt this relevant in our current state as a nation.  The chief cupbearer was responsible for bringing Pharaoh’s wine, and making sure it was good wine and not poisoned.  The chief baker was responsible for baking Pharaoh’s bread.  Three days had passed from the time of their jailing until the release of the cupbearer and the execution of the baker.  The third day also happened to be Pharaoh’s birthday, and of course there was going to be a celebration.  Apparently, Pharaoh had more need for wine at his celebration than bread, or at least it would appear that way from the outcome of the story.

I have heard many different theologians talk about events in the Bible as being “types and shadows” of events in our modern lives.  To better explain this concept, consider the word “type” as a representation of an object or concept and “shadow” as a representation of an environment.  Wine is described as a “type” of the Spirit and bread is described as a “type” of God’s word.  Pharaoh kept the cupbearer who brought his wine, and killed the baker who brought his bread.  In the natural world, he wanted his party more than he did the bread.  Theologically the example is he preferred the happiness and joy found in the Spirit than he did the responsibility and accountability found in the Word.

The majority of people in the United States today - regardless of what political party affiliation claimed - prefer the quick, easy and fun way more than they prefer what takes hard work or comes with any form of accountability or individual responsibility.  Take off your political glasses for a moment and take a good look at what has been achieved politically in the last three years.  What have we as a nation done to empower individuals?  We want the wine more than the bread, especially when it comes to God’s Word, but it shows in our politics, our economy, our foreign policy and defense.  We want to feel good.  We want to get something for nothing, regardless of what it means for tomorrow.

The American church (to include every Christian denomination) has become apathetic.  Surveys suggest about three-quarters of Americans claim to be Christian yet our media would suggest we are a nation of atheists.  The church has allowed itself to be painted as ridiculous, irrelevant and dogmatic by the minority that controls the liberal media.  Why?  Because the church shifted its focus off the bread and onto the wine.  The church has offered the world a version of Jesus that is all spirit and no truth.  The Bible is mocked, questioned, parsed for convenience and sometimes completely ignored so as not to offend those who are doing wrong in their lives. 

We lost sight of our first love and what He considers important.  We would rather say God is love rather than realize that He is holy, and He has standard for our lives which we choose to reject.  The evidence is found in the growing number of Christians who do not agree the Bible is completely accurate or completely relevant to our world today.  It is found in the number of Christian churches that reject the existence of Hell and refuse to preach about it.  

It is found in the growing acceptance of liberal Scripture interpretation by Left leaning churches that seek to please their congregations rather than preach the whole gospel and condemn what God calls unholy. Yes, the Bible does say the greatest commandment is love but it also says homosexuality is an abomination to God.  We want the first part to be true, but anyone who says the second part is equally true is a bigot, or not a real Christian, or is homophobic...and the insults go on and on.

Take a good look at what has been playing out on the world’s political stage over the last few days.  France and Greece have rejected austerity – meaning they have rejected sound financial planning in favor of reckless spending on social programs that are bankrupting their countries.  Russia has re-elected Vladimir Putin on a quest to return to socialism.  Russia is also issuing large amounts of anti-American rhetoric to include threats of military action against our NATO positions in Europe.  Our President is now supporting same sex marriage, which is something that is illegal under current Federal Law (DOMA).  All five of these actions suggest a “keep the wine and toss the bread” mentality is pervasive in our world today. 

Politicians will do and say anything to stay popular in the eyes of their constituents – even in non-democratic countries!  Any hint of individual responsibility or accountability is gone from their remarks and actions.  All that remains is the feel good spirit.  Bring the wine, keep the cupbearer, make everyone happy - but don’t bring any truth about consequences or accountability.  In short – don’t be a party pooper.

As always, your comments and thoughts are invited!