Arcana Coelestia #5164
5164. In the midst of his servants. That this signifies that were among those things that were in the exterior natural, is evident from the signification of “in the midst,” as being among them; and from the signification of “servants,” as being the things in the exterior natural (of which just above, n. 5161). In the Word all things are called “servants” that are beneath and are therefore subordinate and subject to what is higher, just as those things which are of the exterior natural, or the sensuous things therein, are in respect to the interior natural; and the things of the latter also are called “servants” in respect to the rational; and consequently all things in man both in general and in particular, and equally so whether inmost or outmost, are called “servants” relatively to the Divine, for this is supreme.
[2] The “servants” here, in the midst of whom Pharaoh the king executed judgment upon the butler and the baker, were the princes and grandees of the palace; and the reason why these, like other subjects of every condition, are called “servants” relatively to the king (as is also the case in every kingdom at this day) is that royalty represents the Lord as to Divine truth (see n. 2015, 2069, 3009, 3670, 4581, 4966, 5068), in respect to whom all are alike servants, whatever their condition may be; and in the Lord’s kingdom or heaven they who are the greatest (that is, they who are inmost) are servants more than others, because they are in the greatest obedience, and in deeper humiliation than the rest; for these are they who are meant by the “least that shall be greatest,” and by the “last that shall be first”:
The first shall be last, and the last shall be first (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30).
He that is least among you, the same shall be great (Luke 9:48);
and also by the “great who should be ministers,” and by the “first who should be servants”:
Whosoever would be great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first of you, shall be servant of all (Mark 10:44; Matthew 20:26-27).
[3] They are called “servants” relatively to the Divine truth which is from the Lord, and “ministers” relatively to the Divine good which is from Him. The reason why the “last who are first” are servants more fully than others is that they know, acknowledge, and perceive, that everything of life, and consequently everything of power which they have, is from the Lord and not at all from themselves; whereas they who do not perceive this, because they do not so acknowledge, are also servants, yet more in the acknowledgment of the lips than of the heart. But they who are in what is contrary call themselves “servants” relatively to the Divine, and yet desire to be masters; for they are indignant and angry if the Divine does not favor them and as it were obey them; and at last they are opposed to the Divine, and take away all power from the Divine, and attribute all things to themselves. There are very many of this character within the church, who deny the Lord, and say they acknowledge one supreme Being.
Genesis 40
1
It happened after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt.
2
Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
3
He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
4
The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
5
They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.
6
Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.
7
He asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"
8
They said to him, "We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me."
9
The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,
10
and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes.
11
Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand."
12
Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
13
Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer.
14
But remember me when it will be well with you, and please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.
15
For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon."
16
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head.
17
In the uppermost basket there was all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."
18
Joseph answered, "This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days.
19
Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you."
20
It happened the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
21
He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand;
22
but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
23
Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph, but forgot him.
