So, Joseph is doing hard time for
doing the right thing. Let that be a lesson to all of us. No, that’s not the
lesson, because we’re in the part of the Bible where the lessons are more
complicated and never presented so succinctly.
For cell mates, Joseph has some
pretty prestigious company. Both the baker and the cupbearer for Pharaoh
himself are locked up in here. And, wouldn’t you know it, they both have some
pretty funky dreams. What totally random happenstance that Joseph has some
experience with having and interpreting dreams.
The Cupbearer’s dream is of a grape
vine that grows three branches and puts forth bunches of grapes which he then
squeezes into Pharaoh’s cup. Joseph tells him that in three days, he’ll get his
job back. Good news. He also asks the cupbearer to remember him when this
happens, so he could, you know, put in a good word for Joseph.
The baker doesn’t have as much
luck. His dream is that of three baskets of cakes balanced on top his head, but
then the cakes fall off. In three days, according to Joseph, he’s going to lose
his head. Guess there’s no need for the baker to remember Joseph.
And Joseph’s right on both counts.
The cupbearer got his job back and the baker lost his head. Unfortunately for
Joseph, the cupbearer kind of forgot about Joseph until one fateful day Pharaoh
had dreams that he couldn’t interpret.
Totally random, right?