Two full years pass after the cupbearer forgets. Then Pharaoh dreams. He stands by the Nile. Seven beautiful, fat cows come up from the river and graze in the reed grass. Then seven ugly, gaunt cows come up after them and eat the fat ones. Pharaoh wakes. He sleeps again. Seven ears of grain grow on a single stalk, fat and good. Then seven thin ears, scorched by the east wind, swallow the fat ears.
Pharaoh wakes and his spirit is troubled. He calls for all Egypt's magicians and wise men. None can interpret. Then the chief cupbearer speaks: "I remember my faults today." He tells Pharaoh about the young Hebrew in the prison who interpreted his dream and the baker's dream with exact accuracy.
Joseph is sent for. After two years of silence, forgotten in a pit, the moment comes. The architecture of the whole arc — the pit, the prison, the forgotten promise — was preparing for this summons.
