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The Beginning of the End
Joseph gradually gained the confidence of the keeper of the
prison, who finally entrusted him with the charge of all the prisoners.
His conduct in the prison—his integrity and his sympathy for those
in trouble and distress—opened the way for his future prosperity
and honor. If prompted by a right motive, every kind word spoken
to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to
the needy, will result in blessings to the giver.
The king’s chief baker and chief butler had been imprisoned for
some offense, and they came under Joseph’s responsibility. One
morning, noting that they appeared very sad, he kindly inquired the
cause and was told that each had had a remarkable dream, and they
were anxious to learn the meaning. “Do not interpretations belong
to God?” said Joseph. “Tell them to me, please.”
As each related his dream, Joseph made known its meaning. In
three days the butler was to be restored to his position and place the
cup in Pharaoh’s hand as before, but the chief baker would be put to
death by the king’s command. Both events happened as foretold.
The king’s cupbearer had professed deep gratitude to Joseph for
the cheering interpretation of his dream and for many acts of kind
attention. In return Joseph, referring to his own unjust captivity,
pleaded for his case to be brought before the king. “Remember me,”
he said, “when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me;
make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For
indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also
have I done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”
The chief butler saw the dream fulfilled in every particular; but
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when he was restored to royal favor, he forgot all about the one who
had helped him. For two years longer, Joseph remained a prisoner.
The hope that had been kindled in his heart gradually died out, and
the bitter sting of ingratitude was added to all of his other trials.
But a divine hand was about to open the prison gates. The king
of Egypt had two dreams in one night, apparently pointing to the
same event and seeming to foreshadow some great calamity. The
magicians and wise men could not give an interpretation. The king’s
perplexity increased, and terror spread throughout his palace. The
general agitation reminded the chief butler of his own dream, and
with it came the memory of Joseph and remorse for his forgetfulness
and ingratitude. At once he informed the king how his own dream