July 31

Genesis xl. — 1. And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.

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.

6. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them; 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 to him, In my dream, behold a vine was before me;

10. And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:

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:

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 was in my dream; and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:

17. And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.

18. And Joseph answered, and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are 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.

20. And it came to pass the third day, which was 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 forget him.

The incidents here mentioned are in striking accordance with the customs of Egypt. Upon the tombs may be seen pictures of growing grapes, of wine-presses, and of servants giving the wine-cup at the feast; pictures also of bakers and pastry-cooks at their work, and of servants carrying the dishes from the oven in willow-baskets on their heads. Joseph,

who had been put into prison without a trial, upon the infamous accusation of his master's wife, was doomed to another sad experience through the ingratitude of the butler whom he befriended. But God would make all things work for his good.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 40, 65, 67.

Gracious God, who never failest to help and govern them that put their trust in thee, be near to each of us in the greatness of thy power. Help us ever to act as seeing thee who art invisible, that, being filled with light and strength from above, we may practise whatsoever things are true, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report; and that in the doing of these things we may be filled with that peace which passeth all understanding. Let us yield to no temptation, neither fall before the force of any evil. Inspire us with humility. Let us not be high-minded, but fill us with holy, loving, child-like fear. Guide us by thy counsel, and preserve us unto thine eternal glory.

We render thanks to thee for the comfort of rest and sleep, and for a home undisturbed by fear or sorrow. We pray for all men. Pity such as are in darkness and in error, and lead them into the way of truth. Bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end, and let the just be established. Bless the education of the young, the instruction of the ignorant, the visitation of the sick. Comfort all in sorrow, and prepare the dying for the rest and the joy of heaven.

Holy Father, command thy blessing on each member of this family, and take us into union with thyself; and so let the light of heaven fall upon our path, that we may finally come into the life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.