Two additions to the hoosegow (vs. 1-4)—The Pharaoh of Egypt became mad at his butler and baker, for some unexplained reason, and had them both thrown in jail (v.1), where Joseph “served them” (v. 4). These two men will be important in Joseph’s life, as the rest of the chapter indicates.
The two dreams (vs. 5-19)—One morning, Joseph finds both the butler and baker in melancholy moods. He asks them about it and is informed that they each had had a dream the previous night. The ancient Egyptians put great stock in dreams and portents, and the Lord used that to accomplish his purposes here. Joseph inquires about each dream, and giving the glory to God (v. 8), is able to interpret them. It was a good dream for the butler—in three days Pharaoh would return him to his position (v. 13). It was a bad dream for the baker—in three days “Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you" (v. 19). Joseph probably lost a friend on that one.
The interpretations prove true (vs. 20-23)—Poor Joseph. So far, if he hadn’t had bad luck, he wouldn’t have had any luck at all. Of course, this is all part of God’s providential plan. He had asked the butler, upon recounting the positive interpretation of his dream, to “remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house” (v. 14). A fair request. Three days after the dreams was Pharaoh’s birthday; the butler was restored to his post, the baker was hanged (v. 22). “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (v. 23). It’s not time for Joseph’s appearance before Pharaoh.
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