mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 40.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xli" n="xli" next="Gen.xlii" prev="Gen.xl" progress="26.05%" title="Chapter XL">
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<h2 id="Gen.xli-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xli-p0.2">CHAP. XL.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xli-p1">In this chapter things are working, though slowly,
towards Joseph's advancement. I. Two of Pharaoh's servants are
committed to prison, and there to Joseph's care, and so become
witnesses of his extraordinary conduct, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.1-Gen.40.4" parsed="|Gen|40|1|40|4" passage="Ge 40:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. They dreamed each of them a
dream, which Joseph interpreted (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.5-Gen.40.19" parsed="|Gen|40|5|40|19" passage="Ge 40:5-19">ver. 5-19</scripRef>), and the event verified the
interpretation (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.20-Gen.40.22" parsed="|Gen|40|20|40|22" passage="Ge 40:20-22">ver.
20-22</scripRef>), and so they became witnesses of his
extraordinary skill. III. Joseph recommends his case to one of
them, whose preferment he foresaw (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.14-Gen.40.15" parsed="|Gen|40|14|40|15" passage="Ge 40:14,15">ver. 14, 15</scripRef>), but in vain, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.23" parsed="|Gen|40|23|0|0" passage="Ge 40:23">ver. 23</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xli-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40" parsed="|Gen|40|0|0|0" passage="Ge 40" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xli-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.1-Gen.40.4" parsed="|Gen|40|1|40|4" passage="Ge 40:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.40.1-Gen.40.4">
<h4 id="Gen.xli-p1.8">The History of Joseph. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xli-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1717.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xli-p2">1 And it came to pass after these things,
<i>that</i> the butler of the king of Egypt and <i>his</i> baker
had offended their lord the king of Egypt.   2 And Pharaoh was
wroth against two <i>of</i> 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 <i>was</i> bound.   4 And the
captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them:
and they continued a season in ward.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p3">We should not have had this story of
Pharaoh's butler and baker recorded in scripture if it had not been
serviceable to Joseph's preferment. The world stands for the sake
of the church, and is governed for its good. Observe, 1. Two of the
great officers of Pharaoh's court, having offended the king, are
committed to prison. Note, High places are slippery places; nothing
more uncertain than the favour of princes. Those that make God's
favour their happiness, and his service their business, will find
him a better Master than Pharaoh was, and not so extreme to mark
what they do amiss. Many conjectures there are concerning the
offence of these servants of Pharaoh; some make it no less than an
attempt to take away his life, others no more than the casual
lighting of a fly into his cup and a little sand into his bread.
Whatever it was, Providence by this means brought them into the
prison where Joseph was. 2. The <i>captain of the guard</i>
himself, who was Potiphar, charged Joseph with them (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.4" parsed="|Gen|40|4|0|0" passage="Ge 40:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), which intimates that he
began now to be reconciled to him, and perhaps to be convinced of
his innocence, though he durst not release him for fear of
disobliging his wife. John Baptist must lose his head, to please
Herodias.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xli-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.5-Gen.40.19" parsed="|Gen|40|5|40|19" passage="Ge 40:5-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.40.5-Gen.40.19">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xli-p4">5 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 <i>were</i> bound in the prison.   6 And
Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and,
behold, they <i>were</i> sad.   7 And he asked Pharaoh's
officers that <i>were</i> with him in the ward of his lord's house,
saying, Wherefore look ye <i>so</i> sadly to day?   8 And they
said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and <i>there is</i> no
interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, <i>Do</i> not
interpretations <i>belong</i> to God? tell me <i>them,</i> I pray
you.   9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and
said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine <i>was</i> before me;
  10 And in the vine <i>were</i> three branches: and it
<i>was</i> as though it budded, <i>and</i> her blossoms shot forth;
and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:   11 And
Pharaoh's cup <i>was</i> in my hand: and I took the grapes, and

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pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the
cup into Pharaoh's hand.   12 And Joseph said unto him, This
<i>is</i> the interpretation of it: The three branches <i>are</i>
three days:   13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up
thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver
Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast
his butler.   14 But think on me 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:   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 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was
good, he said unto Joseph, I also <i>was</i> in my dream, and,
behold, <i>I had</i> three white baskets on my head:   17 And
in the uppermost basket <i>there was</i> of all manner of bakemeats
for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my
head.   18 And Joseph answered and said, This <i>is</i> the
interpretation thereof: The three baskets <i>are</i> three days:
  19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from
off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat
thy flesh from off thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p5">Observe, I. The special providence of God,
which filled the heads of these two prisoners with unusual dreams,
such as made extraordinary impressions upon them, and carried with
them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note, God has
immediate access to the spirits of men, which he can make
serviceable to his own purposes whenever he pleases, quite beyond
the intention of those concerned. To him all hearts are open, and
anciently he spoke not only to his own people, but to others, in
dreams, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.15" parsed="|Job|33|15|0|0" passage="Job 33:15">Job xxxiii. 15</scripRef>.
Things to come were thus foretold, but very obscurely.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p6">II. The impression which was made upon
these prisoners by their dreams (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.6" parsed="|Gen|40|6|0|0" passage="Ge 40:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): <i>They were sad.</i> It was not
the prison that made them sad (they were pretty well used to that,
and perhaps lived jovially there), but the dream. Note, God has
more ways than one to sadden the spirits of those that are to be
made sad. Those sinners that are hardy enough under outward
troubles, and will not yield to them, yet God can find out a way to
punish; he can take off their wheels, by wounding their spirits,
and laying loads upon them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p7">III. Joseph's great tenderness and
compassion towards them. He enquired with concern, <i>Wherefore
look you so sadly to-day?</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.7" parsed="|Gen|40|7|0|0" passage="Ge 40:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Joseph was their keeper, and in that office he was
mild. Note, It becomes us to take cognizance of the sorrows even of
those that are under our check. Joseph was their companion in
tribulation, he was now a prisoner with them, and had been a
dreamer too. Note, Communion in sufferings helps to work compassion
towards those that do suffer. Let us learn hence, 1. To concern
ourselves in the sorrows and troubles of others, and to enquire
into the reason of the sadness of our brethren's countenances; we
should be often considering the tears of the oppressed, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.4.1" parsed="|Eccl|4|1|0|0" passage="Ec 4:1">Eccl. iv. 1</scripRef>. It is some relief to those
that are in trouble to be taken notice of. 2. To enquire into the
causes of our own sorrow, "Wherefore do I look so sadly? Is there a
reason? Is it a good reason? Is there not a reason for comfort
sufficient to balance it, whatever it is? <i>Why art thou cast
down, O my soul?</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p8">IV. The dreams themselves, and the
interpretation of them. That which troubled these prisoners was
that being confined they could not have recourse to the diviners of
Egypt who pretended to interpret dreams: <i>There is no
interpreter</i> here in the prison, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.8" parsed="|Gen|40|8|0|0" passage="Ge 40:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Note, There are interpreters
which those that are in prison and sorrow should wish to have with
them, to instruct them in the meaning and design of Providence
(Elihu alludes to such, when he says, If <i>there be an
interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his
uprightness,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.23-Job.33.24" parsed="|Job|33|23|33|24" passage="Job 33:23,24">Job xxxiii. 23,
24</scripRef>), interpreters to guide their consciences, not to
satisfy their curiosity. Joseph hereupon directed them which way to
look: <i>Do not interpretations belong to God?</i> He means the God
whom he worshipped, to the knowledge of whom he endeavours hereby
to lead them. Note, It is God's prerogative to foretel things to
come, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.46.10" parsed="|Isa|46|10|0|0" passage="Isa 46:10">Isa. xlvi. 10</scripRef>. He
must therefore have the praise of all the gifts of foresight which
men have, ordinary or extraordinary. Joseph premises a caveat
against his own praise, and is careful to transmit the glory to
God, as Daniel, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Dan.2.30" parsed="|Dan|2|30|0|0" passage="Da 2:30"><i>ch.</i> ii.
30</scripRef>. Joseph suggests, "If interpretations belong to God,
he is a free agent, and may communicate the power to whom he
pleases, and therefore tell me your dreams." Now, 1. The chief
butler's dream was a happy presage of his enlargement, and
re-advancement, within three days; and so Joseph explained it to
him, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.12-Gen.40.13" parsed="|Gen|40|12|40|13" passage="Ge 40:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>.
Probably it had been usual with him to press the full-ripe grapes
immediately into Pharaoh's cup, the simplicity of that age not
being acquainted with the modern arts of making the wine fine.
Observe, Joseph foretold the chief butler's deliverance, but he did
not foresee his own. He had long before dreamt of his own honour,
and the obeisance which his brethren should do to him, with the
remembrance of which

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he must now support
himself, without any new or fresh discoveries. The visions that are
for the comfort of God's saints are for a great while to come, and
relate to things that are very far off, while the foresights of
others, like this recorded there, look but three days before them.
2. The chief baker's dream portended his ignominious death,
<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.18-Gen.40.19" parsed="|Gen|40|18|40|19" passage="Ge 40:18,19"><i>v.</i> 18, 19</scripRef>. The
happy interpretation of the other's dream encouraged him to relate
his. Thus hypocrites, when they hear good things promised to good
Christians, would put in for a share, though they have no part nor
lot in the matter. It was not Joseph's fault that he brought him no
better tidings. Ministers are but interpreters, they cannot make
the thing otherwise than it is; if therefore they deal faithfully,
and their message prove unpleasing, it is not their fault. Bad
dreams cannot expect a good interpretation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p9">V. The improvement Joseph made of this
opportunity to get a friend at court, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.14-Gen.40.15" parsed="|Gen|40|14|40|15" passage="Ge 40:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. He modestly bespoke the
favour of the chief butler, whose preferment he foretold: <i>But
think of me when it shall be well with thee.</i> Though the respect
paid to Joseph made the prison as easy to him as a prison could be,
yet none can blame him for being desirous of liberty. See here, 1.
What a modest representation he makes of his own case, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.15" parsed="|Gen|40|15|0|0" passage="Ge 40:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. He does not reflect
upon his brethren that sold him; he only says, <i>I was stolen out
of the land of the Hebrews,</i> that is, unjustly sent thence, no
matter where the fault was. Nor does he reflect on the wrong done
him in this imprisonment by his mistress that was his prosecutrix,
and his master that was his judge; but mildly avers his own
innocence: <i>Here have I done nothing that they should put me into
the dungeon.</i> Note, When we are called to vindicate ourselves we
should carefully avoid, as much as may be, speaking ill of others.
Let us be content to prove ourselves innocent, and not be fond of
upbraiding others with their guilt. 2. What a modest request he
makes to the chief butler: "Only, <i>think of me.</i> Pray do me a
kindness, if it lie in your way." And his particular petition is,
<i>Bring me out of this house.</i> He does not say, "Bring me into
Pharaoh's house, get me a place at court." No, he begs for
enlargement, not preferment. Note, Providence sometimes designs the
greatest honours for those that least covet or expect them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xli-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.20-Gen.40.23" parsed="|Gen|40|20|40|23" passage="Ge 40:20-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.40.20-Gen.40.23">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xli-p10">20 And it came to pass the third day, <i>which
was</i> Pharaoh's birthday, 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 gave the cup into
Pharaoh's hand:   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p11">Here is, 1. The verifying of Joseph's
interpretation of the dreams, on the very day prefixed. The chief
butler and baker were both advanced, one to his office, the other
to the gallows, and both at the three days' end. Note, Very great
changes, both for the better and for the worse, often happen in a
very little time, so sudden are the revolutions of the wheel of
nature. The occasion of giving judgment severally upon their case
was the solemnizing of Pharaoh's birth-day, on which, all his
servants being obliged by custom to attend him, these two came to
be enquired after, and the cause of their commitment looked into.
The solemnizing of the birth-day of princes has been an ancient
piece of respect done them; and if it be not abused, as Jeroboam's
was (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Hos.7.5" parsed="|Hos|7|5|0|0" passage="Ho 7:5">Hos. vii. 5</scripRef>), and
Herod's (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.6.21" parsed="|Mark|6|21|0|0" passage="Mk 6:21">Mark vi. 21</scripRef>), is a
usage innocent enough: and we may all profitably take notice of our
birth-days, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow
for the sinfulness of it, and an expectation of the day of our
death as better than the day of our birth. On Pharaoh's birth-day
he lifted up the head of these two prisoners, that is, arraigned
and tried them (when Naboth was tried he was <i>set on high</i>
among the people, <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.21.9" parsed="|1Kgs|21|9|0|0" passage="1Ki 21:9">1 Kings xxi.
9</scripRef>), and <i>he restored the chief butler,</i> and
<i>hanged the chief baker.</i> If the butler was innocent and the
baker guilty, we must own the equity of Providence in clearing up
the innocency of the innocent, and making the sin of the guilty to
find him out. If both were either equally innocent or equally
guilty, it is an instance of the arbitrariness of such great
princes as pride themselves in that power which Nebuchadnezzar set
up for (<scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Dan.5.19" parsed="|Dan|5|19|0|0" passage="Da 5:19">Dan. v. 19</scripRef>, <i>whom
he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive</i>), forgetting
that there is a higher than they, to whom they are accountable. 2.
The disappointing of Joseph's expectation from the chief butler: He
<i>remembered not Joseph, but forgot him,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.40.23" parsed="|Gen|40|23|0|0" passage="Ge 40:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. (1.) See here an instance of
base ingratitude; Joseph had deserved well at his hands, had
ministered to him, sympathized with him, helped him to a favourable
interpretation of his dream, had recommended himself to him as an
extraordinary person upon all accounts; and yet he forgot him. We
must not think it strange if in this world we have hatred shown us
for our love, and slights for our respects. (2.) See how apt those
that are themselves at ease are to forget others in distress.
Perhaps it is in allusion to this story that the prophet speaks of
those that <i>drink wine in bowls, and are not grieved for the
affliction of Joseph,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xli-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Amos.6.6" parsed="|Amos|6|6|0|0" passage="Am 6:6">Amos vi.
6</scripRef>. Let us learn hence to cease from man. Joseph perhaps
depended too much upon his interest in the chief butler, and
promised himself too much from him; he learned by his
disappointment to trust in

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God only. We
cannot expect too little from man nor too much from God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xli-p12">Some observe the resemblance between Joseph
and Christ in this story. Joseph's fellow-sufferers were like the
two thieves that were crucified with Christ—the one saved, the
other condemned. (It is Dr. Lightfoot's remark, from Mr.
Broughton.) One of these, when Joseph said to him, <i>Remember me
when it shall be well with thee,</i> forget him; but one of those,
when he said to Christ, <i>Remember me when thou comest into thy
kingdom,</i> was not forgotten. We justly blame the chief butler's
ingratitude to Joseph, yet we conduct ourselves much more
disingenuously towards the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the
chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours, mediated
with the King of kings for us; yet we forget him, though often
reminded of him, though we have promised never to forget him: thus
ill do we requite him, like foolish people and unwise.</p>
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