Joseph and his Brethren
95
While he was confined in prison, Pharaoh became offended with
two of his officers, the chief baker and the chief butler, and they were
put in prison where Joseph was bound. “And the captain of the guard
charged Joseph with them, and he served them, and they continued a
season in ward.” Joseph made his life useful even while in prison. His
exemplary conduct, humble deportment, and faithfulness, obtained for
him the confidence of all in the prison, and those who were connected
with it. He did not spend his time in mourning over the injustice of
his accusers, which had deprived him of his liberty. One morning as
Joseph brought food to the king’s officers, he observed that they were
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looking very sad. He kindly inquired, “Wherefore look ye so sadly
today? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is
no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations
belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you” Then the butler related
to Joseph his dream, which he interpreted, that the butler would be
restored to the king’s favor, and deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand as
he had formerly done. The butler was satisfied with the interpretation,
and his mind was at once relieved.
Joseph told the chief butler that in three days he would be no more
a prisoner. He felt very grateful to Joseph because of the interest he
had manifested for him, and the kind treatment he had received at his
hands, and, above all, for helping him when in great distress of mind,
by interpreting his dream. Then Joseph, in a very touching manner,
alluded to his captivity, and entreated him, “But think on me when it
shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and
make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house; for
indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also
have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. When
the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good,” he took courage
and made known his dream. As soon as he related his dream, Joseph
looked sad. He understood its terrible meaning. Joseph possessed a
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kind, sympathizing heart, yet his high sense of duty led him to give
the truthful, yet sad, interpretation to the chief baker’s dream. He told
him that the three baskets upon his head meant three days. And that,
as in his dream, the birds ate the baked meats out of the upper basket,
so they would eat his flesh hung upon a tree.
“And 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