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and the attention of heaven were centered upon him。
Joseph suffered for his integrity； for his tempter revenged herself by
accusing him of a foul crime； and causing him to be thrust into prison。 Had
Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph； the young Hebrew would
have lost his life； but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly
characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence； and yet； to save the
reputation of his master's house； he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage。
At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers。 The
psalmist says； 〃His feet they hurt with fetters； he was laid in chains of
iron： until the time that his word came to pass； the word of the Lord tried
him。〃 Psalm 105：18； 19； R。V。 But Joseph's real character shines out； even in
the darkness of the dungeon。 He held fast his faith and patience； his years
of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid； yet this did not render
him morose or distrustful。 He had the peace that comes from conscious
innocence； and he trusted his case with God。 He did not brood upon his own
wrongs； but forgot his sorrow in trying to lighten the sorrows of others。 He
found a work to do； even in the prison。 God was preparing him in the school
of affliction for greater usefulness； and he did not refuse the needful
discipline。 In the prison； witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny
and the effects of crime； he learned lessons of justice； sympathy； and
mercy； that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion。
Joseph gradually gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison； and was
finally entrusted with the charge of all the prisoners。 It was the part he
acted in the prisonthe integrity of his daily life and his sympathy for
those who were in trouble and distressthat opened the way for his future
prosperity and honor。 Every ray of light that we shed upon others is
reflected upon ourselves。 Every kind and sympathizing 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。
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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。 In both cases the event occurred as foretold。
The king's cupbearer had professed the deepest gratitude to Joseph； both for
the cheering interpretation of his dream and for many acts of kind
attention； and in return the latter； referring in a most touching manner 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。 He could not determine their
significance； yet they continued to trouble his mind。 The magicians and wise
men of his realm could give no interpretation。 The king's perplexity and
distress increased； and terror spread throughout his palace。 The general
agitation recalled to the chief butler's mind the circumstances of his own
dream； with it came the memory of Joseph； and a pang of 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 predictions had been fulfilled。
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It was humiliating to Pharaoh to turn away from the magicians and wise men
of his kingdom to consult an alien and a slave； but he was ready to accept
the lowliest service if his troubled mind might find relief。 Joseph was
immediately sent for； he put off his prison attire； and shaved himself； for
his hair had grown long during the period of his disgrace and confinement。
He was then conducted to the presence of the king。
〃And Pharaoh said unto Joseph； I have dreamed a dream； and there is none
that can interpret it： and I have heard say of thee； that thou canst
understand a dream to interpret it。 And Joseph answered Pharaoh； saying； It
is not in me： God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace。〃 Joseph's reply to
the king reveals his humility and his faith in God。 He modestly disclaims
the honor of possessing in himself superior wisdom。 〃It is not in me。〃 God
alone can explain these mysteries。
Pharaoh then proceeded to relate his dreams： 〃Behold； I stood upon the bank
of the river： and； behold； there came up out of the river seven kine；
fat…fleshed and well…favored； and they fed in a meadow： and； behold； seven
other kine came up after them； poor and very ill…favored and lean…fleshed；
such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness： and the lean and
the ill…favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine： and when they had
eaten them up； it could not be known that they had eaten them； but they were
still ill…favored； as at the beginning。 So I awoke。 And I saw in my dream；
and； behold； seven ears came up in one stalk； full and good： and； behold；
seven ears； withered； thin； and blasted with the east wind； sprung up after
them： and the thin ears devoured the seven good ears： and I told this unto
the magicians； but there was none that could declare it to me。〃
〃The dream of Pharaoh is one；〃 said Joseph。 〃God hath showed Pharaoh what He
is about to do。〃 There were to be seven years of great plenty。 Field and
garden would yield more abundantly than ever before。 And this period was to
be followed by seven years of famine。 〃And the plenty shall not be known in
the land by reason of that famine following； for it shall be very grievous。〃
The repetition of the dream was evidence both of the certainty and nearness
of the fulfillment。 〃Now therefore；〃 he continued； 〃let Pharaoh look out a
man discreet and wise； and set him over the land of Egypt。 Let Pharaoh do
this； and let him appoint officers over the land； and take up the fifth part
of the
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land of Egypt in the