64 (§22B). Tell the story. Note how natural it was for the butler to dream that he was again preparing the king's grape juice. What do you think of Joseph's request? Was it a reasonable request?
65 (§22C, D). Tell the story of the baker's dream and the interpretation. What happened on the king's birthday? How was it that the chief butler was so ungrateful?
66 (§23A). Pharaoh was the title given to all the kings of Egypt, as Czar is given to the Russian emperors, Sultan to the rulers of Turkey, and President to our own chief executive. The most important thing in Egypt is its famous river. (What is its name?) It was natural for the king to dream of it. Tell the story of his dream.
67 (§23B). We have already noted how much significance was attached to dreams. A king would have a company of learned men who were supposed to be able to interpret his dreams. How was it in this case? What did the chief butler do? How long had he forgotten Joseph?
68 (§23C). How did they get Joseph ready to appear before the king? If you look at Egyptian pictures you will see that the great men never wore beards. The Egyptians were also very cleanly and particular about white garments. What did Pharaoh say to Joseph? Note Joseph's modesty.
69 (§23C). Tell Joseph's interpretation of the dreams. Of course we naturally ask how Joseph could know these things. But we can only say that it is part of the story, and our interest is in finding just what these beautiful old tales of the heroes have to say to us. What advice did Joseph give to the king? Famines were rare in Egypt, because the country is not dependent upon rainfall but upon the overflow of the Nile. Occasionally, though very seldom, the water does not come from the upper river in sufficient quantity; then there is no inundation and the crops fail.
70 (§24A). What did Pharaoh think of Joseph's interpretation? What did he think of his advice? What did he decide to do with him. Note the six distinctions he gave him and explain what they meant? In England one of the highest officers is the Keeper of the Great Seal. And there the aldermen wear gold chains round their necks. It was a notable honor to be married to the daughter of the high priest, who was a great dignitary.
71 (§24B). What did Joseph do during the seven prosperous years? How many sons were born to him? What did he do when the famine came?
72. When Joseph was in the pit in slavery, and in the prison, whom did he trust? Did he ever think the happy dreams of youth were hopeless? What is the best way to meet bad fortune? Now note how he meets good fortune. Read Rom. 8:28.