1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,840 Speaker 1: The captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: he served them, and they continued a season in ward. God, 3 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: as I reflect on Genesis forty, I ask that you 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:18,079 Speaker 1: give me the ability to give divine solutions and walk 5 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:22,959 Speaker 1: in divine understanding. I will not allow circumstances in my 6 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 1: life to determine whether or not I use my gifts 7 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: to help the lives of others. Even when I feel 8 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: overlooked and imprisoned like Joseph, I will hold fast to 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: my calling and I will continue to be faithful in 10 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: the midst of my prison. I declare that I will 11 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:45,639 Speaker 1: not lose hope, for I know that once you make 12 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 1: a promise, God, nothing on earth can stop it. To day, 13 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: I choose to be a resource to fuel the dreams 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: of others. My power flows in abundance when my against 15 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: the ropes by decree and declare that in all seasons, 16 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,760 Speaker 1: you can use me God, And because I'm willing to 17 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:14,320 Speaker 1: be used, I know my deliverance is just around the corner. 18 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: In Jesus's name, Amen, stay tuned to immerse yourself in 19 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: the greatest stories ever told from pray dot COM's podcast, 20 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 1: Heroes in the Bible. 21 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 2: Welcome to another episode in the study of Joseph sometimes 22 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 2: I call him Joe. Joseph is a part of our 23 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 2: series of podcasts on the life of this extraordinary christ 24 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 2: like individual. I'm Ed Young, your host for this series 25 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 2: of pray dot com podcast own Heroes in the Bible. 26 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: In our last episode, we celebrated Joseph's success as he 27 00:01:55,640 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 2: faced an extreme test, the test of sexual temptation. His 28 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: victory was not without consequences, however, he was falsely accused 29 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 2: of rape and thrown the same prison where favor of 30 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 2: officials were often confined. Today's episode, Joseph is in prison 31 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 2: and faces yet another high high test, the test of injustice. 32 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 2: In our pray lude, we will encounter the apostle Paul 33 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 2: and his companions sight us as they too are unjustly 34 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: imprisoned in PHILIPPI. Before we begin, let me ask you 35 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:38,680 Speaker 2: a few questions. Have you ever felt that God had 36 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:44,799 Speaker 2: forsaken you, are forgotten about you? I have? Have you 37 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,480 Speaker 2: ever wondered what God was trying to teach you through 38 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:52,639 Speaker 2: the circumstances of your life? I have? Have you ever 39 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:58,639 Speaker 2: been disappointed by someone you asked to help you? I have? 40 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 2: Have you ever questioned God's timing. I have listen if 41 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: you answer yes any of these questions, and like I did, 42 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 2: I think you'll find today's episode especially relevant, valuable, and 43 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 2: so so practical. God is at work in Joseph's life, 44 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 2: use the circumstances to prepare him for the day that 45 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 2: he will be promoted to the status of prime minister 46 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 2: in the most powerful land on earth at that time, 47 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 2: the land of Egypt. But before blessing of advancement and power, 48 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 2: Joseph still has a whole lot to learn about the 49 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: character of God, his perfect timing, and his faithfulness. Now, 50 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 2: God so many times puts his servants he would use 51 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 2: through tough pressure, suffering, and order that he could trust 52 00:03:56,440 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: them with a powerful, lofted responsibility. 53 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 3: Prelude to chapter five. Paul and Scillas leaned their heads 54 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 3: against the prison bed, singing a hymn into the cold, 55 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 3: dark knight. Their voices echoed against the chamber walls, reaching 56 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 3: the furthest cell. They sang a joyful song to their 57 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 3: God and considered the faithfulness of their savior. The others 58 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 3: listened to Paul and Silas. They could not fathom how 59 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 3: prisoners could have such joy welled up within them. Their 60 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 3: voices reverberated against the darkened chambers, joining in their songs 61 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 3: of praise. The earth began to shake beneath them. The 62 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 3: iron gates began to quiver, and the locks shattered into 63 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:59,000 Speaker 3: thousands of pieces. The doors swung open, as if the 64 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 3: hand of God himself reached down to open them. The 65 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 3: prisoners were astonished that their bonds had also been shattered. 66 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 3: It was a miracle that caused their hearts to flutter 67 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 3: in their chests. However, they remained in their places, waiting 68 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 3: for Paul and Scillas to move. Their cheers awoke the jailer, 69 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 3: who had fallen asleep to Paul's song. He stood at 70 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 3: attention and saw that the prisoners had been set free. 71 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 3: They outnumbered him one hundred to one. There would be 72 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 3: no fighting them. If he did, they would overpower him 73 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 3: in a second. So the jailer drew his sword and 74 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 3: pressed it against his chest. Tears streamed down his face. 75 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 3: I have lost all honor, the jailor whispered. If I 76 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 3: do not kill myself, Rome will surely kill me. Just 77 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 3: as the jailer began to leap into his sword, he 78 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 3: was tackled to the ground by Paul stop, Paul yelled. 79 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 3: The two of them melt next to each other, and 80 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 3: Paul grabbed the jailer's sword and tossed it aside. You 81 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:20,360 Speaker 3: don't have to harm yourself, Paul exclaimed. We are all here. 82 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 3: We have not escaped or began a riot. Jesus, Jesus 83 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 3: has saved us. The jailer looked up, his eyes watered 84 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 3: and his lip quivered. They were imprisoned by him, yet 85 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 3: they showed him mercy. What must I do to be saved, 86 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 3: the jailer responded. Paul and Silas looked at each other 87 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 3: and smiled. They helped the jailer to his feet and 88 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 3: held his shoulders. 89 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 4: Believe that you have. 90 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 3: A God who loves him enough to die for you, 91 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 3: Paul said. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will 92 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 3: be saved. So the three of them spoke into the 93 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 3: night in the midst of a prison cell. Salvation had come, 94 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 3: proving that there is no circumstance beyond the favor of God. 95 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 3: Chapter five, The Palace of Prison Darkness. Joseph sat in 96 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 3: the darkness of his own despair and brokenness. The prison 97 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 3: was cut into a small hill outside the palace of Pharaoh. 98 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 3: It was blocked from the sun all day, and at night, 99 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 3: the freezing desert wind blew through the bar windows. Above, 100 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 3: a small sliver of moonlight broke through the top. It 101 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 3: was as if the moon itself pitied Joseph. Its silver 102 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 3: rays danced above him, provided being the only source of 103 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 3: light in the entire cell. Joseph leaned his head against 104 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 3: the wet walls and stared at the moon above. He 105 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 3: stared at the light endlessly, listening to the methodical dripping 106 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 3: of water. There was no sleep for him. He continued 107 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 3: to thump his head against the back of the wall. 108 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 3: Frustrated at the world, frustrated at God. So much for dreams, 109 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 3: Joseph whispered. He looked up, angry that the only response 110 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 3: he could hear from God was the annoying drip of water. 111 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 3: In his damp prison cell, Joseph shivered with his legs 112 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 3: curled up to his chest. He tucked his head in 113 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 3: between his knees. Silent tears streamed down his face. Years 114 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 3: of slavery had hardened him, but he felt himself breaking. 115 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 3: He had thought the worst was behind him. He thought 116 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 3: if he was faithful to God and a diligent worker, 117 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 3: all would be well. He was wrong. He was imprisoned 118 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 3: for a righteous act. Is this how you treat your 119 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 3: faithful Joseph spoke into the nothingness. My brothers who betrayed 120 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,199 Speaker 3: me are probably warming themselves by the fire with my father. 121 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 3: My master's wife is probably sound asleep in a warm bed. 122 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 3: Yet I am here. It is me rotting in a 123 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 3: cell while my victimizers laugh and run free. Joseph stood 124 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 3: to his feet and yelled at the moon. His screams 125 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 3: echoed against the chamber walls. Joseph could hear no answer 126 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 3: from God. All he heard was the reverberating sound of 127 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 3: his sorrow and the incessant trip. Joseph took a stone 128 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 3: and threw it against the wall. He fell to his knees, 129 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 3: curled into a ball, and wept himself to sleep. Joseph 130 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 3: awoke to the sound of opening doors. The thick wooden 131 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 3: door cracked open, revealing a faint light holding a torch. 132 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 3: Was the warden servant with a wooden bowl. He set 133 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 3: it down next to the door, then closed it. Joseph 134 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 3: ran towards him and slammed his fist against the door. 135 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 3: Tell them I am innocent, he yelled, will somebody answer me. 136 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 3: Joseph heard the sound of footsteps dissipate, he was alone again. 137 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 3: He looked down at the bowl, a stale piece of 138 00:10:55,559 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 3: bread soaked in less than a cup of broth. Joseph 139 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: picked it up and took it to the center of 140 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 3: his cell. The sun had peered through the opening above, 141 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 3: creating a small spot of warmth. He hovered over his 142 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 3: bowl and ate his breakfast. The day provided slightly more light, 143 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 3: and Joseph was able to get a good look at 144 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 3: his cell. Its walls were jagged and sharp. It was 145 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 3: clear that the room had been chiseled out of the hill. 146 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:34,239 Speaker 3: Poking out from some cracks in the walls were sprouts 147 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 3: of moss and other greenery. Joseph wondered if any of 148 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:43,079 Speaker 3: them would be good to eat. To his left, there 149 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 3: were some rocks that had fallen from the edge of 150 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 3: the cell. From the place where they fell, water dripped 151 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 3: down into a small puddle. This was where the drip 152 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 3: came from. Joseph spent the day pacing back and forth. 153 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 3: He examined every inch of his cell. Broken pieces of 154 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 3: stone would often cut his bare feet, and Joseph would 155 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 3: have to cut off pieces of his waist covering to 156 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 3: stop the bleeding. Eventually, Joseph lay down in the center 157 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 3: of his cell, sprawled out on his back. He sighed 158 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 3: and lamented his life. He thought about his brothers. He 159 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 3: thought about that day he was thrown into the pit 160 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 3: and sold into slavery. He thought about his first night 161 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 3: in the slave quarters. He would prefer either of those 162 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 3: to this. At least in those moments, he felt hope 163 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 3: that he would be delivered. However, here in his prison cell, 164 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 3: he felt only hopelessness. He waited for the warden servant 165 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 3: to bring his next meal. It never came. He laid 166 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 3: awake at night with his belly aching from hunger. The 167 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 3: next morning, Joseph awoke again to the door opening. He 168 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:12,319 Speaker 3: propped his head up and watched the servant fill his 169 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 3: bowl and close the door. Joseph limped over to the 170 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 3: bull and ate it immediately. He held the bowl close 171 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 3: to his face, licking up every inch of the bowl. 172 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 3: He felt like a dog. Joseph pressed the bowl against 173 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 3: his face and began to weep. He fell to the 174 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 3: ground and wailed for hours. No one was there to 175 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 3: hear his cries. Joseph spent another day wallowing in a 176 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 3: pool of self pity and despondency. There was no comfort 177 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 3: in his soul, only hatred for those who betrayed him. 178 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 3: He leaned his head back again, throwing small stones against 179 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 3: the wall. Are these my days? He said, cutting the silence. 180 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 3: Is this how I will spend the rest of my life? 181 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 3: Another night passed and Joseph fell asleep, watching the moonlight 182 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 3: flicker from the clouds passing above. He thought about his 183 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 3: tent in Canaan. He thought about the warm furs and 184 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 3: sweet smell of incense. He closed his eyes and tried 185 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 3: to imagine the sound of his mother's voice. He thought 186 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 3: about his father's laugh. He had a loud and boisterous laugh, 187 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 3: a laugh that would shake the earth beneath him. He 188 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 3: missed his father. He wondered if he was still alive. 189 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 3: Joseph rolled over and fell asleep, dreaming of simpler times. 190 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 3: The next morning, he woke up before the servant came 191 00:14:56,080 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 3: to deliver his food. Joseph remained near the door. As 192 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 3: the door cracked open, Joseph grabbed the servant's arm. Please, please, 193 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 3: don't be afraid, Joseph exclaimed. However, the servant drew his 194 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 3: sword and pressed it against his throat. Joseph was finally 195 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 3: able to see the servant's face. He was young, but 196 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 3: had a face that was weary from years of service 197 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 3: in the dark. Joseph raised his hands. I only wanted 198 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 3: to speak to someone, he said, I haven't spoken to 199 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 3: anyone in days. The servant took the blade off Joseph's throat, left, 200 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 3: then shut the door. Joseph looked down at the bowl 201 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 3: of food. The broth had spilled all over the floor, 202 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 3: and the bread had been stepped on. Joseph sighed and 203 00:15:55,520 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 3: began to eat off the floor. The only water to 204 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 3: quench Joseph's thirst was the dripping from the ceiling. Joseph 205 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 3: gathered the loose stones and gathered them underneath the drip. 206 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 3: He stacked the stones into a small well and covered 207 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 3: the cracks with some of the moss he pulled from 208 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 3: the walls. By the end of the day, the well 209 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:26,040 Speaker 3: was full with fresh water. Joseph cupped some in his 210 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 3: mouth and smiled. It was the first gulp of water 211 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 3: he had had in days. He could feel the cool 212 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 3: water dripped down his throat. It was a euphoric experience, 213 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 3: and it filled Joseph with the simplest feeling of joy. 214 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 3: He bowed his head and whispered, thank you Lord. Joseph 215 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 3: turned his eyes to the opening in the ceiling. He 216 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 3: felt the warmth of the sun gently kiss his cheek. 217 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 3: He gathered some more moss from the wall and made 218 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 3: himself a bed. That night, he finally slept soundly. Flashes 219 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:11,119 Speaker 3: of his past dreams entered his mind. Distant memories of 220 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 3: a more innocent time comforted him. The next morning, Joseph 221 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 3: arose early. He began to work on his cell. He 222 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: smoothed out the rocks to make a stool for himself. 223 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 3: He used the moss and vegetation from the walls to 224 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 3: create a nice bed for himself, and he stacked small 225 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 3: stones on top of each other as art. He was 226 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 3: making his cell a home. When the servant opened the door. 227 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,919 Speaker 3: He lingered for a moment. He scanned the room and 228 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:50,200 Speaker 3: saw Joseph turn back and smile, Ah, it is you. 229 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 3: I have kept my distance this time. The servant looked 230 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:59,360 Speaker 3: at Joseph for a moment. He seemed to be pondering something. 231 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 3: He set the food down and left. Joseph shrugged and 232 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 3: continued to work on his prison cell. The next morning, 233 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 3: The warden himself opened Joseph's prison cell. His servant was 234 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 3: close behind him. He was shorter than Joseph had imagined. 235 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:25,679 Speaker 3: He had a long linen garment tucked under a leather breastplate. 236 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 3: In his right hand were keys to the cell, and 237 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 3: on his left was a leather whip. Joseph's eyes widened 238 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:39,480 Speaker 3: as he saw the warden approaching. I am your warden, 239 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 3: he said in a monotone voice. The tip of the 240 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 3: whip dangled near his feet. You are a prisoner. You 241 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 3: are nothing but a prisoner. 242 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 4: Are we clear? 243 00:18:51,760 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 3: Joseph nodded, good. Turn around. Joseph leaned against the wall 244 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 3: with his palms exposing his back. He knew what was coming. 245 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 3: He had been a slave long enough to know that 246 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 3: whippings were a natural part of Egyptian culture. The warden 247 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,639 Speaker 3: needed Joseph to know he was in charge and willing 248 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 3: to harm him, so he did. Seven lashes were given 249 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 3: to Joseph. He had been whipped many times in his life, 250 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 3: he never got used to it. The warden wiped Joseph's 251 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 3: blood off his whip and tucked it back behind his belt. 252 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 3: Without a word, he left. Joseph spent the night Tending 253 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 3: his wounds best he could. He poured water over his 254 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 3: exposed flesh. The coolness helped reduce the swelling, but it 255 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:58,959 Speaker 3: still stung like a swarm of bees. Joseph looked up 256 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 3: through the opening. The sunlight had been replaced by the 257 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:09,399 Speaker 3: silver beams of the moon. Give me favor, lord, Joseph said, 258 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 3: wincing as he lay down. Show me favor as you 259 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 3: once did. The next morning, the warden entered his cell again. 260 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 3: Get up, come with me. Joseph propped himself up. Confused, 261 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 3: the warden had him tied up and escorted him down 262 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:37,159 Speaker 3: the prison halls. Joseph had not seen the rest of 263 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 3: the prison yet. Its halls were just as jagged as 264 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 3: his cell. Torches were propped up to light up the 265 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:49,160 Speaker 3: narrow hallway. At the end of it was another wooden door. 266 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 3: As Joseph approached, he could hear the sounds of other 267 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:58,640 Speaker 3: men growing louder and louder. Beside the door were ten 268 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 3: guards stand at attention with swords. The warden unlocked the 269 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 3: door and opened it. Joseph stepped in and saw a 270 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 3: much larger cell with different rooms cut into the rock. 271 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 3: Over a dozen prisoners were there, meandering around the cell. 272 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:21,679 Speaker 3: Some of them rolled dice, others slept, and some of 273 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:27,120 Speaker 3: them talked. Joseph smiled. For the past few days, he 274 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 3: was under the impression that he was going to be alone. 275 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 3: It was comforting to see other faces, even if they 276 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:39,439 Speaker 3: were scoundrels and criminals. Joseph spent the day getting to 277 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 3: know the other prisoners. They were all once servants of 278 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 3: Pharaoh or his officials. Some were from the stables, others 279 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:52,240 Speaker 3: were military aids, and some of them were cooks. All 280 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:56,199 Speaker 3: of them had found some way to anger Pharaoh or 281 00:21:56,359 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 3: one of his officials, thus landing them in the palace prison. 282 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 3: Many of them were malicious people who deserved to be 283 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 3: in there. However, others were victims of circumstances, just like Joseph. 284 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 3: It was good to speak with people again. The conversation 285 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 3: made him forget about the pain shooting down his scarred back. 286 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 3: As the weeks went by, Joseph had done his best 287 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:29,600 Speaker 3: to make himself useful. He built a well inside the cell, 288 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:33,119 Speaker 3: as he did before, He wove beds of moss and 289 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 3: leaves from the vegetation growing on the walls. Eventually, Joseph 290 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 3: came up with a system to ration the food given 291 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:45,360 Speaker 3: to them, so everyone could enjoy two hardy meals a day. 292 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 3: The other prisoners began to rely on Joseph to speak 293 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 3: with the warden on their behalf. At night, underneath the moonlight, 294 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 3: the prisoners would gather around Joseph to listen to his 295 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 3: stories the god of his ancestors. One morning, Joseph had 296 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 3: gotten up early to ten to the small garden of 297 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:11,600 Speaker 3: flowers he had planted underneath the opening in the ceiling. 298 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 3: As the door opened up for food, the warden stepped in. 299 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 3: You there, Joseph, the warden exclaimed, come with me. The 300 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 3: guards went to Joseph, tied him up, and led him 301 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 3: out of the cell. They placed Joseph on a stool 302 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 3: sitting opposite the warden. The warden leaned over his chair 303 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:43,879 Speaker 3: and sighed, This prison has been operated by force, fear, 304 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:49,400 Speaker 3: and isolation. The warden said, I am trained to remind 305 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,399 Speaker 3: these men that they are criminals and this is not 306 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 3: their home but their tomb. However, Ever, since you have 307 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 3: the prisoners seemed to think they are a family and 308 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 3: this is their home. Joseph nodded and gulped. The warden 309 00:24:11,320 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 3: was a harsh man. He had heard stories about him 310 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 3: killing prisoners that disobeyed him. The warden stood up and 311 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:23,119 Speaker 3: walked up to a small chest sitting on the floor 312 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 3: near the entrance. He opened it and took out a 313 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 3: few scrolls. He opened them and perused its contents. 314 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 4: In the past weeks, since you have been with the prisoners, 315 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 4: there have been no riots, no one trying to escape, 316 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 4: or any assaults on my guards. I have not heard 317 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,920 Speaker 4: them beg for more food or complain about the lack 318 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:59,199 Speaker 4: of water. It is clear you walk with favor, and 319 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 4: I don't know whether it comes from the gods or 320 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 4: your own skill, and quite frankly, I do not care. 321 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 4: All I know is that you have made my job 322 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 4: easier and you have kept my guards safe because the 323 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 4: prisoners are content. Joseph kept his head down and blushed 324 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 4: a smile. He nodded but remained silent. Joseph, I am 325 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:32,880 Speaker 4: putting you in charge of these men. I have other 326 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 4: prisons in the city that I must attend to, so 327 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 4: I leave this under your care, as well as the 328 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 4: two other cells within this prison. You will have charge 329 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 4: over my guards and the ability to request more resources 330 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 4: if they are available. This is not a request, but 331 00:25:55,400 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 4: an order. You are still a prisoner. Here, yim your warden, 332 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 4: Are we clear? 333 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:14,240 Speaker 3: Joseph nodded. The warden dismissed him. Two years passed, Joseph, 334 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:18,639 Speaker 3: now twenty seven years old, had solidified himself as the 335 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:23,119 Speaker 3: benevolent leader over the other prisoners. His willingness to serve 336 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:27,560 Speaker 3: them and listen to their needs and gendered loyalty for them. 337 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,280 Speaker 3: He created a system for sharing cells based on the 338 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:35,159 Speaker 3: background of the prisoners. He was able to ration food 339 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 3: well enough so they could enjoy three meals a day. 340 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:43,200 Speaker 3: He would also care for the sick himself and used 341 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:46,920 Speaker 3: the warden's office as an infirmary for people that were sick. 342 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:51,440 Speaker 3: Even the guards were loyal to Joseph and did all 343 00:26:51,480 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 3: that he asked of them. Joseph was often reminded of 344 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:59,359 Speaker 3: how his brothers would tend through the flocks. The sheep 345 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:03,879 Speaker 3: needed to know they were cared for. If they felt safe, secure, 346 00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 3: and loved, they listened. Joseph walked among the prisoners as 347 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 3: a shepherd among his flock. He cared for the broken 348 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 3: and unlovable criminals. As he did this, he grew a 349 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:23,639 Speaker 3: greater knowledge of the heart of God. Joseph would still 350 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:27,239 Speaker 3: lay awake at night, watching the moon's beams trickle in 351 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:31,600 Speaker 3: through the ceiling. It was in those silent moments that 352 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:35,720 Speaker 3: Joseph would pray. He would consider the goodness of God, 353 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:39,120 Speaker 3: his favor upon him, and the dreams of a future. 354 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 3: Joseph leaned up against the rock wall, allowing himself to 355 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:49,399 Speaker 3: drift to sleep. He smiled, realizing that this prison was 356 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 3: the greatest palace of them all. I swear we did 357 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:59,720 Speaker 3: nothing wrong. Joseph heard a voice shout from the entrance 358 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:03,680 Speaker 3: of the prison. It was a familiar sound. Most men 359 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:06,560 Speaker 3: who came through the prison doors claimed to be innocent. 360 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:11,160 Speaker 3: Joseph had learned not to treat them differently either way, 361 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 3: Whether they were innocent, guilty, or somewhere in between, it 362 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:19,720 Speaker 3: did not matter. The words of Pharaoh and his officials 363 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:24,439 Speaker 3: were final. Joseph was released from the communal cell to 364 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 3: greet the new inmates. The two men had been dragged 365 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:32,560 Speaker 3: in by the palace guards. What were your crimes, he asked. 366 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 3: Joseph had learned not to be too friendly. Immediately, he 367 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 3: would be perceived as weak and malleable. However, every prisoner 368 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 3: would soon learn about Joseph's compassion and kindness. Nothing one 369 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 3: of them exclaimed. Joseph looked down at him. He was 370 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:55,479 Speaker 3: a portly man, balding and red with rage. 371 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,680 Speaker 5: Pharaoh's men got sick after a banquet, and he accused 372 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 5: us of poisoning them. 373 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:05,480 Speaker 3: Joseph nodded and gestured for them to be taken to 374 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 3: the cell. As they walked in, the palace guard gave 375 00:29:09,800 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 3: Joseph the details on both of them. The tall and 376 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 3: quiet one is Pharaoh's cup bearer. He was a thrust 377 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:20,680 Speaker 3: at confidante of Pharaoh until the feast. It is not 378 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,960 Speaker 3: clear what his motive would be to poison anyone. The 379 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:29,680 Speaker 3: loud and short one is the palace baker. Many of 380 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 3: the men believe he really did poison the food. Joseph 381 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:39,280 Speaker 3: nodded and took note of them. Afterwards, he gave them 382 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 3: both tasks to do within the prison. That night, Joseph 383 00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:48,760 Speaker 3: knelt down before the moonlight and prayed to God. He 384 00:29:48,800 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 3: prayed that God would grant him continual favor to help 385 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:58,720 Speaker 3: the prisoners. He prayed for patience, endurance, and favor. Although 386 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 3: Joseph had been success in prison, it still took its 387 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 3: toll on his mind and soul. Many of the men 388 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 3: would get in fights and Joseph would often have to intervene. 389 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:14,480 Speaker 3: He was also responsible for taking care of the sick, 390 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 3: which proved to be a burdensome task. However, God's strength 391 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 3: was upon Joseph, although he was not aware of it. 392 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:30,520 Speaker 3: God was grooming Joseph for something greater. He was refining 393 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 3: him in the depths of the dark grave. Later that night, 394 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 3: Joseph could hear stirring in the back of the cell. 395 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:43,480 Speaker 3: He turned to see the baker tossing and turning. He 396 00:30:43,560 --> 00:30:49,080 Speaker 3: was yelling a nightmare. Joseph was familiar with such dreams. 397 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:53,600 Speaker 3: He spent many nights tortured by nightmares from his past. 398 00:30:54,800 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 3: Joseph approached the baker and knelt down. He placed his 399 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:02,360 Speaker 3: hand on his shoulder and sang a lullaby his mother 400 00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:08,160 Speaker 3: once sang to him. Its melody bounced off the prison walls, 401 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:13,680 Speaker 3: creating a beautiful and hypnotic sound. The baker calmed and 402 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 3: became still once again. The next morning, Joseph overheard the 403 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:26,480 Speaker 3: baker and the cupbearer exchanging dreams over their meal. Joseph 404 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 3: had done his best to avoid such babbling, since the 405 00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:33,040 Speaker 3: last time he spoke off his dreams it got him 406 00:31:33,080 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 3: sold into slavery. However, he could not quite shake a 407 00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 3: feeling of longing to engage. Joseph pretended not to listen 408 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:48,000 Speaker 3: and poured water into a basin. He heard the baker say. 409 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:52,080 Speaker 5: It was unlike any dream I've ever had. It was 410 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 5: horrifying and painful. 411 00:31:56,960 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 3: I too had a dream, but it was pleasant and 412 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:05,320 Speaker 3: it gave me a sense of peace. However, I cannot 413 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:09,440 Speaker 3: seem to get it out of my head, the copbearer replied. 414 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 3: Both of them lamented their inability to interpret these dreams. 415 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 3: It nagged them for hours. Joseph felt the tug in 416 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 3: his heart to approach them. It was as if God 417 00:32:22,520 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 3: was pulling at his tunic to step forward. My friends, 418 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 3: why do you look so sad to day? Joseph asked. 419 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:35,840 Speaker 3: He realized the question itself was humorous, considering that they 420 00:32:35,840 --> 00:32:40,200 Speaker 3: had just been thrown in prison. However, the prisoners were 421 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:44,360 Speaker 3: despondent and desperate to share what they had dreamt. We 422 00:32:44,560 --> 00:32:48,080 Speaker 3: have both dreamed vivid and haunting dreams. We cannot seem 423 00:32:48,120 --> 00:32:52,080 Speaker 3: to forget them, but we also do not know their meaning. 424 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:57,440 Speaker 3: Tell me your dreams, Joseph said, with a grin. Are 425 00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:02,120 Speaker 3: you a sorcerer or a master? Of divination, the cupbearer 426 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:08,440 Speaker 3: asked innocently. Joseph laughed and shook his head. Of course, 427 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 3: not all dreams belong to God, and so do their interpretations. 428 00:33:15,480 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 3: Go ahead, tell me your dreams, and he shall interpret 429 00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 3: them for you. The cupbearer cleared his throat. He was 430 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:29,440 Speaker 3: an expressive man and very eloquent. He moved his hands 431 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 3: and painted a picture with his words. He spoke about 432 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:37,400 Speaker 3: the dream saying this. I was in a desolate place. 433 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:40,680 Speaker 3: The ground was barren and dark. 434 00:33:41,560 --> 00:33:45,400 Speaker 6: As I walked upon it, a vine sprang forth in 435 00:33:45,480 --> 00:33:50,479 Speaker 6: front of me. It's beautiful shades of green shimmered in 436 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:57,040 Speaker 6: contrast to the blighted ground. From this vine sprang three branches. 437 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:01,440 Speaker 3: It was as if they were growing in my direction. 438 00:34:02,640 --> 00:34:07,680 Speaker 3: They wrapp'd around me and mov'd like butterflies. From the 439 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:14,919 Speaker 3: vine's budded, delicate blossoms. They were beautiful to behold. From them, 440 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 3: Clusters of ripened grapes sprang forth. They were succulent and juicy, 441 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:27,879 Speaker 3: bursting with flavor. As I awed at the vine, Pharaoh's 442 00:34:27,960 --> 00:34:32,960 Speaker 3: chalice appear'd in my hand out of thin air. It 443 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:38,000 Speaker 3: felt familiar in my hand, almost as if it was 444 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:42,279 Speaker 3: a part of my own body. I reach'd out to 445 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:46,400 Speaker 3: the grapes and grabb'd a cluster in my hand. I 446 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:51,520 Speaker 3: pluck them and squeez'd them over Pharaoh's cup. The grapes 447 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:56,640 Speaker 3: burst forth like a waterfall into his cup, overflowing with 448 00:34:56,840 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 3: ever dessant wine. I looked behind me, and I saw 449 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:06,400 Speaker 3: Pharaoh there above me. He was seated at his throne, 450 00:35:06,719 --> 00:35:11,360 Speaker 3: with the sun shining behind him. I bowed and gave 451 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:17,640 Speaker 3: him the cup. He drank and smiled down at me. Then, 452 00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:23,480 Speaker 3: in the euphoria of the moment, I woke up. Joseph's 453 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:27,600 Speaker 3: heart came alive. In that moment, as the copbearer shared 454 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:31,560 Speaker 3: his dream, he could feel the spirit of God moving 455 00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:36,960 Speaker 3: within his heart and mind. You are an eloquent man, copbearer, 456 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:41,680 Speaker 3: Joseph replied, with a smile. Here is what your dream means. 457 00:35:42,560 --> 00:35:46,360 Speaker 3: The three branches of the vine represent three days. In 458 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 3: three days time, Pharaoh will realize that you you have 459 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 3: been falsely accused. He will lift up his head and 460 00:35:56,280 --> 00:36:00,279 Speaker 3: restore you to your position. You will be filling his 461 00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:08,000 Speaker 3: cup once again. The cupbearer smiled and sighed, Oh, what 462 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:14,600 Speaker 3: a beautiful sentiment. If only it were true. Joseph placed 463 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:18,640 Speaker 3: his hand on the cupbearer's shoulder and looked intently into 464 00:36:18,680 --> 00:36:23,720 Speaker 3: his eyes. My friend, these things will come to pass. 465 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:31,759 Speaker 3: God has declared it. When you are free. Please remember me, 466 00:36:33,239 --> 00:36:37,480 Speaker 3: remember what you have seen here, and mention it to Pharaoh. 467 00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:42,520 Speaker 3: Recall my kindness towards you, and tell him of my gifts. 468 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:48,960 Speaker 3: What have you done to be here? The copbearer asked, 469 00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:54,960 Speaker 3: are you innocent? Joseph leaned back and looked up at 470 00:36:54,960 --> 00:36:59,920 Speaker 3: the sun rays peaking through the ceiling. I am, Joseph replied, 471 00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:04,920 Speaker 3: I am a Hebrew and was sold into slavery by 472 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:12,000 Speaker 3: my brothers. Yet even as a slave I thrived. I 473 00:37:12,040 --> 00:37:14,680 Speaker 3: am here not because of my own sins, but because 474 00:37:14,719 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 3: of the sins of another. Although I am in this world, 475 00:37:20,840 --> 00:37:25,400 Speaker 3: I do not belong to this world. The copbearer smiled 476 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:31,400 Speaker 3: and nodded. If what you say is true, Hebrew, I 477 00:37:31,560 --> 00:37:37,160 Speaker 3: will remember you when I am restored to Pharaoh. The 478 00:37:37,200 --> 00:37:42,680 Speaker 3: baker pushed the copbearer aside and laughed, Ah, so you 479 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 3: are the bearer of good news. Well, then let me 480 00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 3: tell you my dream. Hopefully you will have news for 481 00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:53,600 Speaker 3: my freedom as well. Joseph gestured for the baker to 482 00:37:53,600 --> 00:37:59,280 Speaker 3: continue his recollection. Of the dream was clunky and chaotic. However, 483 00:37:59,560 --> 00:38:03,880 Speaker 3: Joseph listened intently for its meaning. This was my dream. 484 00:38:04,680 --> 00:38:06,759 Speaker 5: I was on my way to fail Oh, with three 485 00:38:06,880 --> 00:38:10,759 Speaker 5: baskets of bread on my head. It was hot, and 486 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:15,680 Speaker 5: the wind was even hotter. I had made wonderful the 487 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:20,080 Speaker 5: cakes and sweet breads and all sorts of big goods. 488 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:30,200 Speaker 7: However, the birds, they swooped down upon me. They began 489 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:33,840 Speaker 7: pecking on the bread on top. Soon an entire flock 490 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:38,720 Speaker 7: was surrounding me. They packed up the baskets, my clothes, 491 00:38:38,960 --> 00:38:39,760 Speaker 7: and my eyes. 492 00:38:40,280 --> 00:38:44,560 Speaker 3: I dropped the baskets, and I watched the birds devour 493 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:48,880 Speaker 3: the bread. The baker took a deep breath, then looked 494 00:38:48,920 --> 00:38:56,440 Speaker 3: at Joseph. What does this dream mean? Joseph's eyes revealed 495 00:38:56,520 --> 00:39:00,840 Speaker 3: his true feelings. He was overwhelmed with for the baker 496 00:39:01,640 --> 00:39:05,600 Speaker 3: and unable to speak. Do not hold back from me, Hebrew, 497 00:39:06,760 --> 00:39:10,759 Speaker 3: What does my dream mean? Joseph fiddled the stone in 498 00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:15,200 Speaker 3: his hand and looked up at the baker. The three 499 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:20,080 Speaker 3: baskets also represent three days. Three days shall pass, and 500 00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:24,920 Speaker 3: you two will be taken out off this prison. The 501 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:31,319 Speaker 3: baker smiled, thinking this was good news. However, Joseph continued 502 00:39:31,400 --> 00:39:38,160 Speaker 3: with a tear streaming down his face. Pharaoh will punish 503 00:39:38,239 --> 00:39:42,920 Speaker 3: you for what you have done. He will separate your 504 00:39:42,960 --> 00:39:45,560 Speaker 3: head from your body and prop it on a pole 505 00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:49,600 Speaker 3: for the birds to eat away at your flesh. And 506 00:39:49,719 --> 00:39:54,799 Speaker 3: the baker looked at him silently for a long while. Then, 507 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:59,359 Speaker 3: in an outburst of rage, the baker tackled Joseph to 508 00:39:59,440 --> 00:40:03,279 Speaker 3: the ground and began pummeling him with his fists. The 509 00:40:03,320 --> 00:40:07,480 Speaker 3: other prisoners pulled him off. Joseph and the baker left 510 00:40:07,719 --> 00:40:13,480 Speaker 3: and sat silently for three days. After three days, it 511 00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:18,040 Speaker 3: was Pharaoh's birthday. He held a great banquet for his officials. 512 00:40:18,719 --> 00:40:21,200 Speaker 3: He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and 513 00:40:21,239 --> 00:40:25,080 Speaker 3: the chief Baker in the presence of his officials. He 514 00:40:25,160 --> 00:40:28,719 Speaker 3: restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he 515 00:40:28,880 --> 00:40:33,440 Speaker 3: once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hat. However, the 516 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:38,360 Speaker 3: baker was taken outside the palace. The harsh eastern wind blew, 517 00:40:38,760 --> 00:40:42,759 Speaker 3: and the birds flew in circles above. The baker was 518 00:40:42,800 --> 00:40:47,040 Speaker 3: given to the guards, beheaded, and his head was put 519 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:51,160 Speaker 3: on a spike as a feast for the birds. However, 520 00:40:51,320 --> 00:40:55,759 Speaker 3: Joseph remained in the prison for years. He waited in 521 00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:59,879 Speaker 3: his stone tomb to rise up. He suffered a great deal, 522 00:41:00,920 --> 00:41:06,000 Speaker 3: but his present sufferings were not comparable to the future 523 00:41:06,120 --> 00:41:12,920 Speaker 3: glory awaiting him. 524 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:16,760 Speaker 2: As the apostle, Paul shared the Gospel and established churches. 525 00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:20,920 Speaker 2: On his missionary journeys, he learned that God is greater 526 00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:24,399 Speaker 2: than any circumstances, and that God was with him at 527 00:41:24,440 --> 00:41:28,760 Speaker 2: all times, in all places, even at a cold, dark 528 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:33,120 Speaker 2: prison cell in Philippi. In a letter Paul later wrote 529 00:41:33,160 --> 00:41:38,240 Speaker 2: to the church at Philippi, he was therefore able to state, listen, 530 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:44,680 Speaker 2: I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am, 531 00:41:45,400 --> 00:41:48,640 Speaker 2: or how I need to learn that. Don't you listen? 532 00:41:48,719 --> 00:41:51,719 Speaker 2: This is a lesson God wanted Joe to learn, so 533 00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:55,759 Speaker 2: that he would depend completely on him in times of 534 00:41:55,840 --> 00:42:01,839 Speaker 2: prosperity as well as in times of adversity. Unjustly accused 535 00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:06,080 Speaker 2: and thrown into prison, Joseph might have been better depressed, 536 00:42:07,120 --> 00:42:11,000 Speaker 2: but Joseph chose instead to trust God and to trust 537 00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:14,759 Speaker 2: God that he was building a foundation's life and preparing 538 00:42:14,880 --> 00:42:18,360 Speaker 2: him for something he didn't know what, but perhaps even 539 00:42:18,520 --> 00:42:23,160 Speaker 2: something greater in God's economy. That is why Joseph in 540 00:42:23,239 --> 00:42:27,400 Speaker 2: prison conducted himself with the same integrity that he had 541 00:42:27,640 --> 00:42:32,240 Speaker 2: exhibited as a slave in Potiphar's household. He quickly earned 542 00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:34,960 Speaker 2: the trust of the warden, who put Joseph in charge 543 00:42:35,000 --> 00:42:39,080 Speaker 2: of the other prisoners, placing him exactly where he needed 544 00:42:39,120 --> 00:42:42,759 Speaker 2: to be when Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker were placed in 545 00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:46,000 Speaker 2: the same prison. There are a lot of dreams in 546 00:42:46,080 --> 00:42:49,040 Speaker 2: the story of Joseph, the dreams God gave to the 547 00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:53,480 Speaker 2: young Joseph, the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, and the dreams 548 00:42:53,520 --> 00:42:58,240 Speaker 2: of Pharaoh himself. Listen, God was in all those dreams, 549 00:42:58,360 --> 00:43:02,920 Speaker 2: all those visions. We've already seen how Joseph's dreams have 550 00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:06,279 Speaker 2: sustained him and given him the assurance that God one 551 00:43:06,360 --> 00:43:09,680 Speaker 2: day would fulfill them. How and when he didn't know, 552 00:43:09,960 --> 00:43:15,279 Speaker 2: he just trusted in God. God also gives dreams to 553 00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:20,840 Speaker 2: Pharaoh and his officials. Joseph doesn't know it. Pharaoh hisit folks, 554 00:43:20,880 --> 00:43:25,320 Speaker 2: they didn't understand it. God then gives Joseph's the ability 555 00:43:25,360 --> 00:43:28,800 Speaker 2: to understand and interpret them. And he was right there, 556 00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:32,120 Speaker 2: right place, right time that we had no way to 557 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:36,280 Speaker 2: understand it. A few days after Joseph interpreted the dreams 558 00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:39,120 Speaker 2: of the cup bearer and the baker, the cup Bear 559 00:43:39,320 --> 00:43:43,520 Speaker 2: was restored to his position in Pharaoh's palace. Joseph had 560 00:43:43,560 --> 00:43:46,440 Speaker 2: asked the cup Bear to promise to speak the Pharaoh 561 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:49,560 Speaker 2: on his behalf and get him out of prison, but 562 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:53,800 Speaker 2: he would be another two years, two long years before 563 00:43:53,840 --> 00:43:58,719 Speaker 2: the cup Bear remembered that promise. Listen, God's timing is 564 00:43:58,760 --> 00:44:04,080 Speaker 2: not your timing and timing, but God's timing. God's schedule. 565 00:44:04,200 --> 00:44:08,680 Speaker 2: God's calendar for you and for me is always perfect. 566 00:44:09,680 --> 00:44:13,520 Speaker 2: He will elevate Joe to an exalted position at the 567 00:44:13,640 --> 00:44:16,920 Speaker 2: right moment to preserve the people of Egypt and to 568 00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:22,120 Speaker 2: save his family. That's salvation family as well. In the meantime, 569 00:44:22,200 --> 00:44:26,200 Speaker 2: God is teaching Joseph as he desires to teach us, 570 00:44:26,920 --> 00:44:30,799 Speaker 2: to put our trust in Him, put our full weight 571 00:44:30,880 --> 00:44:34,839 Speaker 2: down on God and not in human beings. God is 572 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:38,719 Speaker 2: teaching Joseph to depend on God's love and faithfulness, and 573 00:44:38,760 --> 00:44:43,440 Speaker 2: you can book his promises. They will come true, and 574 00:44:43,560 --> 00:44:48,800 Speaker 2: Joseph had to learn to wait upon the perfect planning 575 00:44:48,960 --> 00:44:55,040 Speaker 2: and provision of the Lord God Almighty. You and I 576 00:44:55,120 --> 00:44:58,360 Speaker 2: need to learn from that. In our next episode, the 577 00:44:58,400 --> 00:45:01,560 Speaker 2: cup Bear will remember his promise and Joseph will enter 578 00:45:01,600 --> 00:45:05,200 Speaker 2: the courts of Pharaoh himself. It's the next step in 579 00:45:05,320 --> 00:45:09,439 Speaker 2: the magnificent chain of events in Joseph's life that will 580 00:45:09,480 --> 00:45:13,640 Speaker 2: eventually bring Joseph's family to Egypt. Join me as we 581 00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:19,359 Speaker 2: continue this supernatural account of Joseph and this beautiful illustration 582 00:45:19,680 --> 00:45:24,240 Speaker 2: of the providence of Almighty God. Be sure to follow 583 00:45:24,239 --> 00:45:28,200 Speaker 2: this podcast on Apple or Spotify so you will always 584 00:45:28,280 --> 00:45:32,680 Speaker 2: be updated on the latest episode in this pray dot 585 00:45:32,719 --> 00:45:36,880 Speaker 2: Com series, Own Joseph. I trust that you're beginning to 586 00:45:36,960 --> 00:45:40,719 Speaker 2: see why Joseph is one of my favorite character in 587 00:45:41,000 --> 00:45:41,880 Speaker 2: all the Bible.