Genesis 40:20-23 Pharaoh's Birthday Activities

Three days later, Joseph's interpretation of the dreams related to him by the cupbearer and baker came to pass:

"Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials.  He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials:  He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand, but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation." (Genesis 40:20-22 NIV)

Talk about a working lunch!  Those activities (well, at least the latter one) are not what I'd like to have at my birthday party.  However, for Pharaoh, this was an excellent opportunity to show his other officials that faithful servants are well-treated but faithless ones will end up, shall we say, 'for the birds'.  For a man in his position, Pharaoh would likely find satisfaction in the destruction of his enemies.

After all this, you would think that the cupbearer would hasten to try to do what he could to help Joseph gain his release from prison.  However, human nature being

1. somewhat ungrateful
2. and forgetful,
3. and busy with many things instead of the most important things,

 such was not the case:

"The chief cupbearer, however,

 did not remember Joseph;

he forgot him"

(Genesis 40:23 NIV)