Purpose Newsletter - September 2025

Genesis 40:16-23

¹⁶When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:

¹⁷And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

¹⁸And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:

¹⁹Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

²⁰And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

²¹And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

²²But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

²³Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

This is one of only two birthdays mentioned in the whole of the Bible.

September being my birthday month I decided to elucidate on the topic.

Joseph was in prison having been falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of an indecent act. While serving his time, the king’s chief butler and chief baker were imprisoned for their indiscretions against the king. These two both had a dream that Joseph was able to interpret.

The butler’s dream was a good dream. He would be restored to his position. “Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place:”

The baker’s dream was not so good. He would be hanged in three days.

“Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.”

Fast forward three days. “And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants.” I’m sure the baker hoped Joseph was wrong as he went before the king. It was after all the king’s birthday. It was party time. He watched as the butler was pardoned and restored to his butlership. The king’s cup was once again in his hand. Happy hour!

But, there would not be a Pharaonic pardon for the baker. He had burned the bread one time too many. “But he hanged the chief baker.” Joseph had interpreted his dream correctly. Happy Birthday dear Pharaoh, happy birthday to you! he heard them sing as he was led out.

Well, that’s the Old Testament version of a King’s birthday. Let’s read the New Testament account.

Mark 6:17-29:

¹⁷For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

¹⁸For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

¹⁹Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

²⁰For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²¹And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

²²And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

²³And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

²⁴And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

²⁵And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

²⁶And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

²⁷And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

²⁸And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

²⁹And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

There is a little more action here. This event is a little more complicated. This is concerning the death of John the Baptist which took place on a King’s birthday. It is interesting to note that people did not throw a party for the king. In both instances the king threw a party for the people. And it was not a surprise party. There were some surprises that took place though.

Here we see a prophet, John the Baptist, in prison for standing up to the king regarding his unlawful marriage. The woman he is married to, Herodias, doesn’t appreciate John’s moral intrusion into her illicit relationship and wants to kill John. Herod is in good stead with John. He liked his preaching. Maybe he was on the road to repentance. Needless to say, there is some tension between the preacher and the woman, and Herod the king is caught in the midst. But then it is birthday time!

As part of the celebration Herodias’ young beautiful daughter puts on an obviously sensual dance for the important male guests. The king is so moved he offers the dancer anything she wants up to half of his kingdom.

Sadly, the young damsel seeks direction from her hateful mother who sees the opportunity not of half the kingdom for her daughter but more so to be rid of the religious guy raining on her parade. She dares to tell her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist. The girl acquiesces and the request is brought to the king. Though he is sorry for John he must save face and grant the request. John the Baptist is beheaded and his annoying moral voice is removed. And they sing, Happy Birthday dear Herod, happy birthday to you.

Thankfully there are no other birthday events to report about in the Bible. These two didn’t go very well.

As I celebrate the many good years God has given me, I’d like to invite you to rejoice with me. There won’t be any crazy stuff going on. Just an old guy sitting in his favorite chair, with my wife Shirley and young daughter Emily across from me. I’ll listen happily as they sing Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you….! -PJF-

And now a word from Pastor Shirley…

Unknowingly Chosen

I Kings 17:7-9

⁷And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

⁸And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

⁹Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

God told Elijah to go by the brook Cherith. This is where the Lord provided food and beverage for the prophet. When the brook dried up, the Lord sent him to Zarephath, because he commanded a widow woman there to sustain him. When he arrived in Zarephath, he saw the widow woman that was supposed to sustain him. She was gathering sticks. He calls out to her and asks her for a drink. As she turns to go get it, he asks her for some bread. Her response seemed a little off.

¹²And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

Wait a minute. Wasn’t this the widow woman that God commanded to sustain Elijah? What was happening here? There must be a mistake, Elijah. He must have seen the wrong widow… right?

No. Elijah allows the woman to give her response, but then gives her a chance to exercise some faith.

¹³And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. ¹⁴For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

She must have felt faith rise up within her because she did what he said.

¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

She did not know at the time, but God chose her to provide for the man of God. She did not have much. Her plan was to die, but the man of God showed up and everything changed. Death was no longer an option for her. God wanted to provide for Elijah, but he also wanted this woman to know that he cares for her too. He gave her the opportunity to participate in the program.

She gave, and it was given back to her. -SAF-