In the name of god
So he entered prison rather than falling into adultery with the women folk. Two others were imprisoned with him concurrently. They had strange dreams.
One dreamt that he was giving wine to his master, and the other dreamt that he carried bread on his head. Birds ate the bread. They asked Joseph for an interpretation.
He preached to them about the oneness of God for a short while and explained that the explanation would arrive before their next meal
In his explanation ,he stated that one would be freed and serve wine to his master. The other would be crucified and the birds would eat from his head. He didn't specify which was which to not upset them. Both prophesies materialized subsequently. Joseph told the one he thought would be freed to bring the story of his wrongful imprisonment to his master. He forgot so joseph stayed in prison several years.
the king then had a dream where he saw 7 dry and 7 green ears of corn. he also saw 7 fat cows consumed by seven thin ones. He asked his cabinet for an explanation, and none could. the freed prisoner then remembered Joseph and went to him. he related the dream of the king to Joseph, and joseph interpreted thus.
there will be seven years of drought following 7 years of fruitful harvest, so save of what you reap for the difficult years to follow.
the king immediately sent for Joseph. joseph AS asked before leaving prison,. what happened to the women who cut their hands. Zulaikha was called and admitted that she was the seducer and joseph was innocent. In fact the same zulaikha became wife to joseph as her husband had passed on.
Joseph was thus released from prison and appointed as a minister. A great reward he received for his patience and piety.
Well the drought did happen. 10 men then came to Egypt to ask for food for their families. Joseh knew them to be his brothers but they did not recognize him. He gave them 10 camel loads of grain and told them to bring their brother next time, else they would receive nothing further. This younger brother was benjamin. he also instructed his servants to return the monies payed to him to their saddle bags so they would only find it after they return home.
They came home to their father and asked for benjamin's accompaniment to gain more foodstuff. Jacob said 'how can trust you with benjamin when you failed my trust with Joseph". They gave an oath that they would protect him . their father asked them to enter from many doors so as not to arouse jealousy.
So the kind father relented. they ytravelled with benjamin.
Joseph immediately told benjmin when they were reunited that he was in fact his brother. do not grieve at what they have done to you. He then instructed his servants to place the kings golden cup in benjamin's bag. the reason why will become clear.
At their intended departure, someone announced that the kings cup was stolen and the brothers were thieves. they demanded to know what was missing and protested their innocense. joseph asked them how shall i punish the thief at which the brothers said imprisonment. he searched their bags and benjamins bag was searched last. the cup was found. Joseph pretended that Benjamin was the thief.
the non redemptive brothers said that benjamin had a brother also a theief without realizing they were speaking to Joseph.
the brothers asked for one of them to be taken prisoner instead as acob could not take vthe grief of losing another son. joseph refused thus protectng benjamin. Another third brother exclaimed he would not leave Egypt till he could fulfil his vow to protect benjamin. he asked his 9 broters to go home and tell jacob that unforseeable circumstances led to benamns detention
On returning to jacob their father, the nine brters explained the theft. incident. Again poor old Jacob wept and said that patience was a beautiful mantle. "This is surely a story you have invented as he said about Joseph before. he went blind from grief and lamented three lost sons.
jacob asked his sons to return to Egypt and look for Joseph.
to be continued
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