Page 93 - Bible History

66 THE NATION FROM WHICH THE REDEEMER CAME
explanation belong to God1 Tell me what you have dreamed.''
The chief butler told his dream: ''I saw before me a vine, on which there were three branches which, by little and little, sent out buds, and then the blossoms brought forth ripe grapes. The cup of Pharao was in my hand. I took the grapes, and pressed them into the cup which I held, and I gave the cup to Pharao.''
God was with Joseph and helped him to explain the dream to the butler. "The three branches," he said, ''are three days which will pass before Pharao will take you back into his palace. Then you will o er your cup of wine to Pharao as you have done before.''
The baker said, ''I also had a dream, that I had three baskets upon my head. In the uppermost basket, I had the di erent kinds of bread which bakers make. The birds of the air ate from this basket."
''The three baskets,'' explained Joseph, ''are three days, after which Pharao will cut o your head and hang you on a cross, where birds of the air will tear your esh.''
Three days after Joseph had explained these dreams, Pharao's birthday occurred and he prepared a great feast. At the banquet he remembered the chief butler and restored him to his charge. But the baker he hung upon a gibbet.
·when the butler was leaving the prison, Joseph said to him, ''Put Pharao in mind to take me out of this prison, where, though innocent, I am kept.'' After the butler was released from prison, however, he forgot all about Joseph and what he had done for him.