It’s a universal sting, and even Joseph, the dreamer of dreams himself, wasn't immune. Let’s dive into Chapter 46 of the Book of Jasher and see how this plays out.
So, Joseph is still stuck in that Egyptian prison. The Book of Jasher tells us that at this time, Pharaoh’s cupbearer (the butler) and baker are also cooling their heels behind bars, having displeased the king. Imagine the scene: the butler pours wine, the baker presents bread... but disaster strikes! Flies in the wine, nitre (a kind of saltpeter, basically a mineral impurity) in the bread! Talk about a kitchen nightmare.
Joseph, ever the resourceful one, is assigned as their attendant during their year-long confinement. One night, they both have incredibly vivid dreams. They are understandably troubled. "We dreamed a dream," they say to Joseph, "and there is no one to interpret it!" Can you feel their desperation?
Joseph, with unwavering faith, responds, "Relate, I pray you, your dream unto me, and God shall give you an answer of peace as you desire.” It's a beautiful sentiment, reflecting the idea that dream interpretation isn't just about skill, but about divine guidance.
The butler goes first. "I saw in my dream a large vine... three branches... grapes... I pressed them into a cup and gave it to Pharaoh." Simple, right? Not quite. Joseph interprets: "The three branches are three days. Within three days, you'll be restored to your position!" He then adds a crucial plea: "Remember me to Pharaoh! Get me out of this prison! I was stolen from Canaan!" He also insists he was wrongly accused regarding his master's wife.
The butler, overjoyed, promises to do everything Joseph asks.
Now it's the baker's turn. Seeing Joseph's success, he eagerly shares his dream: "Three white baskets on my head, filled with baked goods for Pharaoh... and birds are eating them!" Uh oh.
Joseph’s interpretation? Not so rosy. "The three baskets are three days. Within three days, Pharaoh will take off your head, and hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh.” Grim stuff.
And guess what? It all comes true. The Book of Jasher then mentions that the queen gives birth, and Pharaoh throws a massive eight-day party. A celebration filled with "musical instruments, with timbrels and with dances."
But here’s the kicker, the detail that really hits home. The butler, the one whose life Joseph saved, forgets all about him. The text explicitly states, "the butler... forgot Joseph, and he did not mention him to the king as he had promised." Ouch. It adds a theological note: "for this thing was from the Lord in order to punish Joseph because he had trusted in man." As we see in numerous places, including the Zohar and Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, it's a recurring theme: placing complete trust in humans can lead to disappointment.
So, Joseph languishes in prison for another two years, twelve in total. Can you imagine the frustration, the despair? After all this time, and despite his gifts and faithfulness, he remains forgotten.
This chapter is a potent reminder of the unpredictability of life and the fallibility of human promises. It speaks to the pain of being overlooked, even when we’ve done everything right. And it subtly asks: where do we place our trust? In fleeting human favor, or in something more enduring?