B. C. 1718. CHAP. XL. Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker being imprisoned, Joseph is charged with them, 1-4. He interprets their dreams, and offers a petition to the chief butler, 5-19. The dreams are accomplished, and the chief butler forgets Joseph, 20-23. ND it came to pass after these Athings, that the butler of the king things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. e 2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. the morning, and looked upon them, 1 and behold they were sad. 7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to-day? 8 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. 9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said unto him, In my dream, behold," a vine was before me. 10 And in the vine were three branch 4 And the captain of the guard charges: and it was as though it budded, and ed Joseph with them, and he served them; her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes. and they continued a season in ward. 5 T And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream; the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6 And Joseph came in unto them in V. 11-23. 11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. 12 And Joseph said unto him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. i 8. Dan. 4:5. 5:6. k 2 Sam. 13:4. Neh. 2:2. Luke Heb. are your faces evil? 1 41:15,16. Is. 8:19. Dan. 2:11, 11. m 37:6-10. Judg. 7:13-15, Dan. 2:31. 4:10,&c. n 41:25. Dan. 2.36,&c. 4:19,&c. o 41:26. Judg. 7:14. Matt. 26: 26. 1 Cor. 10:4. Gal. 4:25. V. 4. Joseph at first was not only closely If Satan cannot induce us to sin, he will do confined, but severely treated in the prison his utmost to distress us: and we must expect (Note, Ps. 105:18.) Yet, after some time, Pot the imbittered resentment of those, whose wick-iphar's resentment seems to have cooled: and, ed inclinations we disappoint; and to be accused considering the whole of Joseph's prudent and of the very crimes which we abhor, yea, because excellent conduct, he perhaps began to suspect we abhor them. It is, however, far "better, that he had been maliciously accused. He how if the will of God be so, that we suffer for well- ever connived at the kindness shewn to Joseph, doing, than for evil-doing:" a clear conscience and, being sensible of his abilities, was not un and the presence of a merciful God, will support|| willing he should be trusted, and prove serviceaus, not only under our trials, but under the most ble in that situation. Being thus employed, he injurious calumnies: and we need not use much gave the king's butler and baker, as prisoners of labor to vindicate ourselves; for in due time, the rank, all the attendance required.-On how Lord will vindicate us, and clear off every as- many little incidents of which the parties at the persion. The more meekly and patiently we 'time think nothing, do some of the greatest suffer, the less bitterness shall we experience in 'events depend! If they had gone to another our trials, and the more consistent will our con- 'prison, Joseph might have died where he was, duct be with the Christian character. By all and no provision been made for the seven years these things, the Lord is training up his people | ‘of famine, and Jacob and his family, with milfor glory: perhaps for better scenes, and import-lions of others, have perished for want; and so ant services, in this present world: and, if we are not in a wrong spirit, or out of the path of duty, we can never be out of the way either of comfort or usefulness.-But let us not forget, through Joseph, to look unto Jesus, who "suffered being tempted," yet without sin; who was calumniated and persecuted, but without cause; "who was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth" to recriminate, or to vindicate himself; and who by the cross ascended to the throne. May we be enabled, and contented, to follow in the same path of submissive suffering, to the same place of glory. NOTES. CHAP. XL. V. 3. Potiphar was "captain of the guard:" and it seems this state-prison was adjoining to his house, and intrusted to his care; so that the keeper of the prison probably was his deputy. (37:36.) all the promises of their becoming a great na'tion, and of the Messiah springing from among 'them, and all nations being blessed in him, 'would have been frustrated. But he that ap'points the end, appoints all the means which 'lead to it.' Fuller. V. 6. The prisoners, considering their dreams as supernatural, were very melancholy; for their situation, and perhaps conscious guilt, caused them to forebode the worst. Indeed, it must have appeared very extraordinary, that each of them should have so significant a dream at the same time. V. 7. This is a beautiful specimen of that attentive tenderness and sympathy, by means of which God gave Joseph favor with every one whom he approached. V. 8. The prisoners could not consult the diviners, in whom they placed confidence; and this added to their anxiety.-Joseph's apposite question intimates, that he had before discoursed 13 Yet within three days P shall Pha-|| Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out raoh lift * up thine head, and restore thee of the basket upon my head. unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. q 14 But think 9 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: 15 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. 16 T When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good; he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and behold, I had three white baskets on my head. 18 And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: three baskets are three days. The 19 Yet within three days shall Fharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall a hang thee on a tree: and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. 20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birth-day, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler, and of the chief baker, among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he d the cup into Pharaoh's hand: gave 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. y See on 12.-41:26. 1 Cor. 10:4. z 13. Or, reckon thee and take thy a 22. 41:13. Deut. 21:22,23. b 17. 1 Sam. 17:44,46. 2 Sam. 21:10. Ez. 39:4. c Matt. 14:6. Mark 6:21. e 8,19. 41:11-13,16. Dan. 2:19 f Job 19:14. Ps. 31:12. Ec. 9: 15,16. Am. 6:6. made any lasting impression on the chief butler when he was again possessed of the emolument of his office, and enjoying the pleasures of the court! PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. with them concerning the true God, and endeav-cellent conduct of Joseph which adorned it. ored to draw them off from those lying vanities to his worship and service. It also precluded them from giving him the honor of the interpretation. V. 9-13. The rapid budding and blossoming of the vine, and ripening of the grapes, seems to have fixed the interpretation to three days, rather than weeks, months, or years: and the actual delivery of the cup into Pharaoh's hand obviously denoted a prosperous event.-"The three branches are three days" (12). "This is my body." V. 14, 15. Joseph desired, by an appeal to Pharaoh, to obtain his liberty; but he had no further request to present. He did not say by whom, or in what manner, he was stolen, and sold for a slave; for he was not disposed to criminate or reproach: neither did he so much as accuse his wicked mistress, or at all reflect on Potiphar, or express any resentment for his false imprisonment. It seems that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with large families and in flourishing circumstances, had so long sojourned in the southern part of Canaan, that it had become known in the adjacent countries as "the land of the Hebrews." High stations are slippery places; and from the presence-chamber to the dungeon is, in many earthly courts, only a short step: but a place in the favor of God, who will not forsake his true servants, is of unspeakable value.-In the voluntary actions of men, who know not God and pay no regard to him, we may discern his hand; and perceive how his purposes unfold, and his counsels slowly, but surely, work towards an accomplishment. While we are encouraged by the gracious dealings of the Lord towards his afflicted servant, let us mark how he resembled Christ; and may we, through the grace of God resemble and imitate him, in fidelity, humanity, compassion, unaffected piety, and humility; in repressing the pride and resentment, which agitate our hearts, imbitter our spirits, and sometimes disgrace our conversation, when we meet with injurious treatment, or speak of that which we have met with; and in modestly pleading our own cause, without needlessly mentioning or exposing the faults, even of our most malignant enemies.-The foresight of sinners, however attained, reaches but a few days forward; but, by faith, the believer looks through the sufferings of time, and anticipates the glories of eternity.-Though we ought not in general to expect information from dreams, and need not regret the want of an interpreter: yet, to be favored with a wise and faithful interpreter of God's providences and oracles, especially in seasons of affliction, is an inexpressible V. 23. Neither the kindness shewn by Joseph, mercy. (Note, Job 33:19-26.) Here also "innor the interpretation of his dream thus remark- terpretations belong to God;" from him we must ably verified, nor the discourses which doubtless seek them, and to him give the praise, whatever he had heard concerning religion, nor the ex-instruments he employs. But the same faithful V. 16-19. The bake-meats, eaten by the birds and not brought to Pharaoh, was the unfavorable presage. The bad dream would not admit of a good interpretation; nor could Joseph, without unfaithfulness, conceal the truth, however it might pain him to speak it. The baker might be benefited by the warning, if he prepared to meet the predicted event. V. 20-22. The anniversary of Pharaoh's birth-day being observed as a season of festivity, these officers were inquired after; and either through the merits of their cause, or the caprice of their sovereign, they were thus differently disposed of. CHAP. XLI. Pharaoh has two dreams, which the magicians cannot interpret, 1-8. The chief butler recoramends Joseph, who is sent for, and interprets the dreams to foretel seven years of great plen ty and seven of as great scarcity, 9-32. He gives counsel to Pharaoh; and is highly preferred, 33-44; and married, 45. The seven years of plenty, and Joseph's wise management, 4649. The names of his two sons, 50-52. The seven years of scarcity begin, and the Egyptians are relieved by Joseph, 53-57. с 2 And behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kine, and fat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill-favored, and lean-fleshed; and stood by the other kine, upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, *rank and good. 6 And behold, seven thin ears and dblasted with the east-wind sprang up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and a 37:5-10. 40:5. Esth. E:1. Dan. 2:1-3. 4.5,&c. Matt. 27:19. b Deut. 11:10. Ez. 29:3,9. raoh awoke, and behold it was a dream. f 8 And it came to pass in the morning, that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. 9 T Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day. 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me, and the chief baker. 11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he: we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. k 12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams: to cach man according to his dream he did interpret. e 40:6. Dan. 2:1-3. 4:5. 5:6. |h Job 5:12,13, Ps. 25:14. Is. 19: 7:28. 8:27. Hab. 3:16. full ears: and Pha-Ex. 7:11,22. 8:7,18,19. 9:11. 11-13. 29:14. Dan. 2:4-11 c 17-27. Heb. fat. Deut. 32:14. d Ez. 17:10. 19:12. Hos. 13:15. interpretation, which encourages one man, will contain an awful warning to another of a contrary character: yet, even this is of salutary tendency; for blessed be God, if we discover our danger, we need not long seek in vain for a refuge.-Temporal deliverances must generally be longer waited for by the Lord's servants, than by others, that they may have them with the fullest advantage, and be previously prepared for them: and he will teach them to cease from man, before they obtain their best blessings.-The festive observation of birth-days by men, who are exceedingly desirous of living in this world, seems rather incongruous: for, in fact, they thus celebrate, with every indication of joy and gladness, the decease, as it were, of one year after another of their uncertain span; nor are the two instances of this vanity, recorded in Scripture, suited to recommend the practice. (Mark 6:16-29.) A Christian, however, may properly observe his birth-day, with praise and thanksgiving to God for giving him life, and with gladness of heart that he approaches the conclusion of sin and sorrow, and the completion of his felicity. He may also take occasion, at these returning seasons, to bless the Lord for the mercies of the past year, to humble himself for the sins which he has committed, and to seek the divine assistance and blessing in all he shall undertake during the year on which he then enters. We must not complain or be discouraged, if we are forgotten, or ungratefully requited, by those whom we have served. Ingratitude is, alas! the fault of our nature; and we as well as others are guilty of it, especially in our base forgetfulness of God.-But let us remember the sufferings, promises, and love of our Redeemer; and mark in this narration of Joseph, a type of Jesus, in the depth of his humiliation, mercifully assuring one of the malefactors, who hung be 27,28. 1 Cor. 3:18-20. Lev. 19:31. 20:6. Deut. 18:9-- i 40:1-3,14,23. 14. Is. 8:19. 19:3, 47:12,13. |j 40:5-8. Dan. 2:2, 4:7. 5.7.11. g Matt. 2:1. Acts 7:22. k 37:36. 39:1,20. 1 40:12-19. side him, of immediate and eternal felicity; and with awful justice leaving the other to hardness of heart and eternal perdition. NOTES. CHAP. XLI. V. 1. Joseph must have been a considerable time in prison, before he would be so far trusted, as to have the two state-prisoners under his charge; they were confined for some time, and yet two years more elapsed without any tokens of approaching deliverance! Surely he would often be ready to say, "LORD, how long?"-But it was the will of God, that his servant should receive liberty, and preferment also, not as an obligation conferred on an indi gent person; but for the benefit of others, and in the character of a benefactor to the king and people of Egypt.--The scene of Pharaoh's dreams is laid at the river Nile, the annual overflowing of which caused the fertility of Egypt; but the failure of it was followed by famine, or at least by scarcity. V. 2-7. The fat cattle and full ears of corn were apt emblems of plenty; the lean cattle and blighted ears, of famine. "The kine" seem to bear an allusion to the grass for the use of cattle; and "the ears," to the corn for the food of man. V. 8. The circumstances of Pharaoh's dreans were strange and unnatural, yet they seemed very significant; and they impressed his mind, as a presage of some great events to himself or his kingdom: and God so ordered it, to forward Joseph's advancement, that the magicians and wise men could not make so much as a plausible conjecture at the meaning of them. (Marg. Ref.) It does not appear by what rules they interpreted dreams, or why they declined giving any interpretation on this occasion. V. 9. My faults.] Either formerly against Pharaoh, or in forgetting Joseph. m 13 And it came to pass, as he inter-The dream of Pharaoh is one: God preted to us, so it was: me he restored hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about unto mine office, and him he hanged. 0 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon; and he shaved himself and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 15 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. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river. t 18 And behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed, and well-favored; and they fed in a meadow. 19 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. 20 And the lean and the ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine. 21 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. 22 And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good. u 23 And behold, seven ears withered, thin, and blasted with the east-wind, sprang up after them. 24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it unto me. 25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, m 40:20-22. Jer 1:10 Ez. 43:3. n 1 Sam. 2:8. Ps. 105:19-22. 113:7,3. o Ex. 10:16. Dan. 2:25. it. r 40:8. Dan. 2:18-23,28-30, Heb. made him run. Ex. 10: t Jer. 24:1-3,5,8. p 2 Sam. 19:24. 2 Kings 25:29. Esth. 4:1-4. 5:1. Is. 61:3,10. Jer. 52:32,33. १ 9-13. Dan. 5:16. f Or, when thou hearest a dream, thou canst interpret Heb.come to the inward parts of them. Ez. 3:3. Rev. 10:9, 10. Or, small. to do. 26 The seven good kine are sever years; and the seven good ears are sever years: 2 the dream is one. 27 And the seven thin and ill-favored kine that came up after them, are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east-wind, shall be seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do, he sheweth unto Pharaoh. 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty, throughout all the land of Egypt. b c 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine, and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt: and the famine shall consume the land. d 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land, by reason of that famine following: for it shall be very grievous. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. ག 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint ** officers over the land, ' and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land, against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt: x See on 16.-Is. 41:22,23. 43: 1 e 37:7,9. 2 Cor. 13:1. 9. Mark 13:23. Rev. 4:1. y See on 40:12. z 2:24. Ex. 26:6. a See on 16,25. b 27. 2 Sam. 24:13. 1. 2 Kings 8:1. Jam. 5:17. f Num. 23:19. Is. 14:24-27. 45:10,11. Matt. 24:35. 1 John 5:7. Or, prepared. Is.30:33. Matt. 1 Kings 17: Luke 4.25. e 21,51. Prov. 31:7. Is. 65:16. d 47:13. 25:34,41. Mark 10:40. 1 Cor. 2:9. Rev. 9:15. g Dan. 4:27. h Ex. 18:19-22. Deut. 1:13. u 6. 2 Kings 19:26. Ps. 129:6,7. Heb. heavy. 1 Sam. 5:6. Is. Prov. 6:6-8. 22:3. 27:12. Hos. 8:7. 9:16. V. 16. Thus Joseph spake of the Lord and his "statutes before kings, and was not ashamed." By this modest and pious answer he tacitly condemned all the pretended skill of the magicians, and endeavored to draw the king himself "from these lying vanities unto the living God:" at the same time, he renounced all pretensions to superior sagacity, expressed his good will to Pharaoh, and intimated a confidence that the dream and interpretation would prove beneficial to his kingdom. V. 25-27. Both dreams had one meaning; the same events being represented under two emblems.-The seven good kine and the seven good ears, "were seven years," or denoted seven years: a very common mode of expression; though in a single instance multitudes have inferred things absurd and impossible from one similar to it; viz. "This is my body."-(See 40:12.) V. 28-32. Thus Joseph emphatically intimated to Pharaoh, that the fertility of Egypt, or the contrary, was entirely the work of JEHOVAH; and that the overflowing of the Nile, and its failure, were second causes, entirely directed and ordered by the God of heaven. [151 land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On: and Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by a handfuls. 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field which was Prov. 1:9. Cant. 1:10. Ez. 16: Or, prince. Ex. 2:16. marg. Luke 3:23. z 1 Sam. 16:21. 1 Kings 12:6 a 26:12. Ps. 72:16. could have held, with equal advantage to all Notes, 1 Sam. 10:1. Ps. 2:10-12. V. 33-36. Joseph presumed to offer Pharah this counsel, as the practical inference from the revelation which God had afforded him; for hat was intended to forewarn the king, that he night make preparation. There could be no risk in following this advice; as corn was not to be reserved, except as it could be well spared from the regular consumption.-Besides all the corn which Pharaoh should lay up, it might be supposed that many of the wealthy Egyptians would provide private granaries; and that an immense quantity would, in different ways, beger of it; and therefore he needed repeated ascollected during the years of plenty. V. 37. Under the present impression of Joseph's interpretation of the dream, not only Pharaoh, but his counsellors likewise, approved Joseph's advice as undeniably good; perhaps not without each expecting, for himself or his friend, this lucrative and honorable employment. Thus God gave Joseph favor, as well as wisdom. V. 41-43. Perhaps Joseph was modestly distion, and intimidated at the difficulty and danposed to decline so weighty and exalted a sta surances to encourage him.-By these several tokens, the king publicly avowed his apthe peril of any one who dared to oppose it.pointment, and shewed that it would be at Chariot (43). This is the first time, that a chariot or any carriage is mentioned in Scripture.-Bow the knee.] See the margin. V. 44. I am Pharaoh.] As sure as I am king of Egypt, I will stand by thee; so that no man shall do any thing contrary to thy command and allowance.' V. 38. Spirit of God.] This conclusion probably sprang from the remainder of a traditional opinion, that the highest and noblest wis- V. 45, 46. Some interpret Zaphnath-paanedom was derived from the inspiration of the ah to signify The preserver of the land: but othSpirit of God: and the judgment of Pharaoh con- ers suppose it to mean, in the Egyptian tongue, cerning Joseph was doubtless formed, not only a revealer of secrets: or "the man to whom secrets from the interpretation, as excelling all the are revealed."-Poti-pherah is a different name skill of the magicians; but also from his purpos- from Potiphar, and another person than Joed plan, as equally superior to all the sagacity seph's master is meant. As priest, or prince, of of his counsellors. All parties were silent on On or Heliopolis, he was some great lord of the occasion, and it may well be ascribed to the court, or at least had been; for perhaps he God's overawing their minds, that no opposi- was dead, and his daughter a ward of Pharaoh. tion was made, when we consider how pro--Joseph immediately went over all the land pense human nature is to envy, and that Joseph was a stranger and a slave! V. 40. Thus was Joseph made chief minister, and ruler in every department of government; as well as placed over the business of collecting corn: a station, which no man on earth to take surveys, build granaries, and make preparations for the execution of his grand design.—Thirty years old.] Notes, 27:1. 39:2 -6. V. 47. By handfuls.] An uncommon and vast increase. |