"After Joseph was enslaved, God was still with him. His master saw this and made him overseer of his house. Soon, however, Joseph caught the eyes of the master's wife. She asked him to lie with him, but being a Godly man, Joseph refused."
Chivah smiles at Joseph's decision.
"One day, when the master's wife was trying to seduce Joseph, he ran and left his coat in her hands. Being angry, she showed the coat to the men of the house and her husband accusing him of trying to seduce her. The master became angry and put Joseph in prison."
Chivah bows his head in a bit of despair.
"But God was still with Joseph and the jailer put him in charge of the prisoners. Two of these prisoners were chief butler and baker of Pharaoh, after making him angry. One night, they both dreamed a dream. The butler dreamed of a vine with three branches that budded and blossoms shot forth. The clusters brought forth ripe grapes. He also saw Pharoah's cup in his hand, and himself pressing the grapes into Pharoah's cup and giving it to him."
By now, Chivah is listening intently to the story.
"Joseph interpreted this dream, telling the butler that within three days, Pharoah restore the butler's position and that the butler shalt deliver Pharoah's cup into his hand. Joseph told him that when it came true, to make mention of him to Pharaoh and to bring him out of the jail."
Chivah's lips curl in a smile. "Did he remember?"
Gyllis chuckles. "We shall see."
Chivah nods.
"When the baker saw that the interpretation was good, he asked Joseph about his dream. He had seen himself with three baskets upon his head. In the uppermost basket, there was all manner of bake-meats for Pharoah, and the birds ate of the food in the basket.
"Joseph interpreted the dream telling the baker that within three days, Pharoah would hang the baker and the birds will eat his flesh."
A look of disgust comes onto Chivah's face.
"Indeed these dreams come true, and to answer your question, the butler forgot about Joseph, at least for a while. Two years later, Pharoah had a dream. He saw seven fat cows come up from the river, then seven lean cows. The lean cows then ate the fat cows.
"Another dream, Pharoah saw seven ears of corn upon a stalk, but then seven thin ears sprung up after them and devoured the good corn. Pharoah asked all the wise and all the magicians of his dream, but none could interpret. It was then that the butler remembered Joseph and told about him to Pharoah.
"Pharoah asked Joseph about his dreams and he interpreted them. There would be seven years of great harvest, then seven years of famine. Joseph warned Pharoah, telling him to find someone to look over the land and store up the food from the good years so that there would be plenty during the famine. Pharoah agreed and seeing that Joseph was so wise and blessed by God, he appointed him overseer of the whole land of Egypt."
Chivah nods his head and smiles. "So you think that God is with my sister?"
"Aye, and maybe he has big plans for her as well."
Chivah's smile straigtens as he looks at the floor.
Gyllis looks at him with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I wonder if I shall ever see her. A sister that I never knew of, only to find out that I may never see her."
"Don't lose all hope, there's still more to the story of Joseph." He looks down at his parchment. "You see, once the years of famine came, it not only affected Egypt, but all the surrounding lands, including Canaan where Joseph's family lived.
"Jacob sent his sons, except for Benjamin, to buy food from Egypt. Joseph's brothers arrived in Egypt, and not recognizing their brother asked to buy grain for their family. Immediately, Joseph recognized them, but did not reveal himself. Instead he accused them of being spies, and questioned of their family, finding out that his father and younger brother still lived. He kept one of his brothers, sending the others to retrieve Benjamin, but Jacob would not hear of it. He had already lost one son of Rachel's, and would not lose the other. Eventually, however, the famine became so bad that the family had to return to Egypt. Knowing that the overseer of Egypt would not give them food unless they had Benjamin with them, the brothers convinced Jacob to let them take him.
"When they arrived, Joseph invited them to dinner before giving them their goods to return home with. But inside Benjamin's sack, Joseph had placed his cup. Accusing them of stealing, he requested that Benjamin stay behind. When the brothers refused and told the story of what they did to Joseph and showed their regret, Joseph revealed themselves to them. After hearing of the reunion, Pharoah requested that Joseph's family live in the best lands of Egypt and that he would take care of them. And so it came to pass, that Joseph and his family were reunited and became a great people in Egypt."
Chivah nodded in understanding for a moment, then curiousity took over. "I had thought that it may have meant add"
"Aye, the name Joseph does indeed."
"So you think she will be added back into my family?"
"Maybe, but maybe there will be more added than you think. I feel that God has great plans for your sister. Just trust in Him."
Chivah nods, "I will...thank you." He takes Gyllis's hand who smiles in response.
Gyllis looks out the church doors, seeing the setting sun. " I believe it is getting close to my time to preach. Forgive me for being so hasty in telling the story. You may read the story for yourself, if you want." He hands the parchment to Chivah, patting him on the shoulder before walking away.
