Joseph and the Coat

He had told his brothers about the dreams.

Maybe he shouldn't have.

In one, their sheaves bowed to his. In another, the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed to him.

His brothers hated him for it.

They threw him in a pit and sold him to traders going to Egypt for twenty pieces of silver.

They dipped his coat in goat's blood and brought it to their father.

Jacob mourned his son as dead.

In Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the guard.

Everything he did prospered.

Then Potiphar's wife lied about him and he was thrown into prison.

He interpreted dreams for a butler and a baker.

The butler was restored. Joseph asked him to remember him.

He didn't.

For two years, Joseph sat in prison and the butler forgot.

Then Pharaoh had a dream.

The butler remembered Joseph.

They brought him out of the pit to stand before Pharaoh.

He interpreted the dream.

Seven years of plenty, seven of famine.

Pharaoh made him second in command over all Egypt.

When the famine came, people came from everywhere to buy grain.

Including his brothers.

They came and bowed before him.

Just as the dream had said.

They didn't know it was him.

He knew it was them.

He wept in private rooms and spoke through translators.

Eventually he revealed himself.

He said: Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here.

For God sent me before you to preserve life.

Every betrayal. Every pit. Every forgotten promise. Every year in prison.

Had been a corridor.

Leading exactly to this room.

In front of these men.

Who were bowing.

Just as he had dreamed.

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