126
From Eternity Past
distress—opened the way for his future prosperity and honor. Every
kind word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed,
and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result
in blessings to the giver.
The chief baker and chief butler of the king had been cast into
prison for some offense, and they came under Joseph’s charge. One
morning, observing that they appeared very sad, he kindly inquired the
cause and was told that each had had a remarkable dream, of which
they were anxious to learn the significance. “Do not interpretations
belong to God?” said Joseph, “tell me them, I pray you.”
As each related his dream, Joseph made known its import. In three
days the butler was to be reinstated in his position and give the cup
into Pharaoh’s hand as before; but the chief baker would be put to
death by the king’s command. Both events occurred as foretold.
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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, entreated that
his case be brought before the king. “Think on me,” he said, “when it
shall be well with thee, and show 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.”
The chief butler saw the dream fulfilled in every particular; but
when restored to royal favor, he thought no more of his benefactor.
For two years longer, Joseph remained a prisoner. The hope that had
been kindled in his heart gradually died out, and to all other trials was
added the bitter sting of ingratitude.
But a divine hand was about to open the prison gates. The king
of Egypt had in one night two dreams, apparently pointing to the
same event and seeming to foreshadow some great calamity. The
magicians and wise men could give no interpretation. The king’s
perplexity increased, and terror spread throughout his palace. The
general agitation recalled to the chief butler his own dream; with it
came the memory of Joseph and remorse for his forgetfulness and
ingratitude. He at once informed the king how his own dream and that
of the chief baker had been interpreted by a Hebrew captive and how
the prediction had been fulfilled.