Table of Contents
|
|
Chapter 20
Joseph in Egypt
[This chapter is based on Genesis 39 to 41.]
MEANWHILE, Joseph with his captors was on the way to Egypt. As the
caravan journeyed southward toward the borders of Canaan, the boy could
discern in the distance the hills among which lay his father's tents.
Bitterly he wept at thought of that loving father in his loneliness and
affliction. Again the scene at Dothan came up before him. He saw his
angry brothers and felt their fierce glances bent upon him. The
stinging, insulting words that had met his agonized entreaties were
ringing in his ears. With a trembling heart he looked forward to the
future. What a change in situation--from the tenderly cherished son to
the despised and helpless slave! Alone and friendless, what would be his
lot in the strange land to which he was going? For a time Joseph gave
himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror.
But, in the providence of God, even this experience was to be a blessing
to him. He had learned in a few hours that which years might not
otherwise have taught him. His father, strong and tender as his love had
been, had done him wrong by his partiality and indulgence. This unwise
preference had angered his brothers and provoked them to the cruel deed
that had separated him from his home. Its effects were manifest also in
his own character. Faults had been encouraged that were now to be
corrected. He was becoming self-sufficient and exacting. Accustomed to
the tenderness of his father's care, he felt that he was unprepared to
cope with the difficulties before him, in the bitter, uncared-for life
of a stranger and a slave.
Then his thoughts turned to his father's God. In his childhood he had
been taught to love and fear Him. Often in his father's tent he had
listened to the story of the vision that Jacob saw as he fled from his
home an exile and a fugitive. He had been told of the Lord's promises to
Jacob, and how they had been fulfilled--how, in the hour of need, the
angels of God had come to instruct, comfort, and protect him. And he had
learned of the love of God in providing for men a Redeemer. Now all
these precious lessons came vividly before him. Joseph believed that the
God of his fathers would be his God. He then and there gave himself
fully to the Lord, and he prayed that the Keeper of Israel would be with
him in the land of his exile.
His soul thrilled with the high resolve to prove himself true to
God--under all circumstances to act as became a subject of the King of
heaven. He would serve the Lord with undivided heart; he would meet the
trials of his lot with fortitude and perform every duty with fidelity.
One day's experience had been the turning point in Joseph's life. Its
terrible calamity had transformed him from a petted child to a man,
thoughtful, courageous, and self-possessed.
Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's
guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. He was here exposed
to temptations of no ordinary character. He was in the midst of
idolatry. The worship of false gods was surrounded by all the pomp of
royalty, supported by the wealth and culture of the most highly
civilized nation then in existence. Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity
and his fidelity to God. The sights and sounds of vice were all about
him, but he was as one who saw and heard not. His thoughts were not
permitted to linger upon forbidden subjects. The desire to gain the
favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles.
Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation;
but he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers, and he made no
effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of Jehovah.
"And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. . . . And
his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all
that he did to prosper in his hand." Potiphar's confidence in Joseph
increased daily, and he finally promoted him to be his steward, with
full control over all his possessions. "And he left all that he had in
Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did
eat."
The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph's
care was not the result of a direct miracle; but his industry, care, and
energy were crowned with the divine blessing. Joseph attributed his
success to the favor of God, and even his idolatrous master accepted
this as the secret of his unparalleled prosperity. Without steadfast,
well-directed effort, however, success could never have been attained.
God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose
that in purity and uprightness the believer in God should appear in
marked contrast to the worshipers of idols--that thus the light of
heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of heathenism.
Joseph's gentleness and fidelity won the heart of the chief captain, who
came to regard him as a son rather than a slave. The youth was brought
in contact with men of rank and learning, and he acquired a knowledge of
science, of languages, and of affairs--an education needful to the
future prime minister of Egypt.
But Joseph's faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials. His
master's wife endeavored to entice the young man to transgress the law
of God. Heretofore he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming
in that heathen land; but this temptation, so sudden, so strong, so
seductive--how should it be met? Joseph knew well what would be the
consequence of resistance. On the one hand were concealment, favor, and
rewards; on the other, disgrace, imprisonment, perhaps death. His whole
future life depended upon the decision of the moment. Would principle
triumph? Would Joseph still be true to God? With inexpressible anxiety,
angels looked upon the scene.
Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not
betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the
consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the
inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they
would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph's
first thought was of God. "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God?" he said.
If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all
that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions,
and that we must meet it all, we would fear to sin. Let the young ever
remember that wherever they are, and whatever they do, they are in the
presence of God. No part of our conduct escapes observation. We cannot
hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe,
are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity. But
not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the
guilty one. He may think himself alone, but to every deed there is an
unseen witness. The very motives of his heart are open to divine
inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly
marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the
attention of heaven were centered upon him.
Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged herself by
accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison.
Had Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew
would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had
uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and
yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to
disgrace and bondage.
At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers. The
psalmist says, "His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains
of iron: until the time that his word came to pass; the word of the Lord
tried him." Psalm 105:18, 19, R.V. But Joseph's real character shines
out, even in the darkness of the dungeon. He held fast his faith and
patience; his years of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid,
yet this did not render him morose or distrustful. He had the peace that
comes from conscious innocence, and he trusted his case with God. He did
not brood upon his own wrongs, but forgot his sorrow in trying to
lighten the sorrows of others. He found a work to do, even in the
prison. God was preparing him in the school of affliction for greater
usefulness, and he did not refuse the needful discipline. In the prison,
witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny and the effects of
crime, he learned lessons of justice, sympathy, and mercy, that prepared
him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion.
Joseph gradually gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison, and
was finally entrusted with the charge of all the prisoners. It was the
part he acted in the prison--the integrity of his daily life and his
sympathy for those who were in trouble and distress--that opened the way
for his future prosperity and honor. Every ray of light that we shed
upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing
word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and
every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in
blessings to the giver.
The chief baker and chief butler of the king had been cast into prison
for some offense, and they came under Joseph's charge. One morning,
observing that they appeared very sad, he kindly inquired the cause and
was told that each had had a remarkable dream, of which they were
anxious to learn the significance. "Do not interpretations belong to
God?" said Joseph, "tell me them, I pray you." As each related his
dream, Joseph made known its import: In three days the butler was to be
reinstated in his position, and give the cup into Pharaoh's hand as
before, but the chief baker would be put to death by the king's command.
In both cases the event occurred as foretold.
The king's cupbearer had professed the deepest gratitude to Joseph, both
for the cheering interpretation of his dream and for many acts of kind
attention; and in return the latter, referring in a most touching manner
to his own unjust captivity, entreated that his case be brought before
the king. "Think on me," he said, "when it shall be well with thee, and
show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto
Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 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." The chief butler saw the dream
fulfilled in every particular; but when restored to royal favor, he
thought no more of his benefactor. For two years longer Joseph remained
a prisoner. The hope that had been kindled in his heart gradually died
out, and to all other trials was added the bitter sting of ingratitude.
But a divine hand was about to open the prison gates. The king of Egypt
had in one night two dreams, apparently pointing to the same event and
seeming to foreshadow some great calamity. He could not determine their
significance, yet they continued to trouble his mind. The magicians and
wise men of his realm could give no interpretation. The king's
perplexity and distress increased, and terror spread throughout his
palace. The general agitation recalled to the chief butler's mind the
circumstances of his own dream; with it came the memory of Joseph, and a
pang of remorse for his forgetfulness and ingratitude. He at once
informed the king how his own dream and that of the chief baker had been
interpreted by a Hebrew captive, and how the predictions had been
fulfilled.
It was humiliating to Pharaoh to turn away from the magicians and wise
men of his kingdom to consult an alien and a slave, but he was ready to
accept the lowliest service if his troubled mind might find relief.
Joseph was immediately sent for; he put off his prison attire, and
shaved himself, for his hair had grown long during the period of his
disgrace and confinement. He was then conducted to the presence of the
king.
"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none
that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst
understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying,
It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Joseph's
reply to the king reveals his humility and his faith in God. He modestly
disclaims the honor of possessing in himself superior wisdom. "It is not
in me." God alone can explain these mysteries.
Pharaoh then proceeded to relate his dreams: "Behold, I stood upon the
bank of the river: and, behold, there came up out of the river seven
kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored; and they fed in a meadow: and,
behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored
and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for
badness: and the lean and the ill-favored kine did eat up the first
seven fat kine: and when they had eaten them up, it could not be known
that they had eaten them; but they were still ill-favored, as at the
beginning. So I awoke. And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears
came up in one stalk, full and good: and, behold, seven ears, withered,
thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: and the thin
ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians;
but there was none that could declare it to me."
"The dream of Pharaoh is one," said Joseph. "God hath showed Pharaoh
what He is about to do." There were to be seven years of great plenty.
Field and garden would yield more abundantly than ever before. And this
period was to be followed by seven years of famine. "And the plenty
shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for
it shall be very grievous." The repetition of the dream was evidence
both of the certainty and nearness of the fulfillment. "Now therefore,"
he continued, "let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him
over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint
officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt
in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those
good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let
them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the
land against the seven years of famine."
The interpretation was so reasonable and consistent, and the policy
which it recommended was so sound and shrewd, that its correctness could
not be doubted. But who was to be entrusted with the execution of the
plan? Upon the wisdom of this choice depended the nation's preservation.
The king was troubled. For some time the matter of the appointment was
under consideration. Through the chief butler the monarch had learned of
the wisdom and prudence displayed by Joseph in the management of the
prison; it was evident that he possessed administrative ability in a
pre-eminent degree. The cupbearer, now filled with self-reproach,
endeavored to atone for his former ingratitude, by the warmest praise of
his benefactor; and further inquiry by the king proved the correctness
of his report. In all the realm Joseph was the only man gifted with
wisdom to point out the danger that threatened the kingdom and the
preparation necessary to meet it; and the king was convinced that he was
the one best qualified to execute the plans which he had proposed. It
was evident that a divine power was with him, and that there were none
among the king's officers of state so well qualified to conduct the
affairs of the nation at this crisis. The fact that he was a Hebrew and
a slave was of little moment when weighed against his evident wisdom and
sound judgment. "Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the
Spirit of God is?" said the king to his counselors.
The appointment was decided upon, and to Joseph the astonishing
announcement was made, "Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this,
there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my
house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in
the throne will I be greater than thou." The king proceeded to invest
Joseph with the insignia of his high office. "And Pharaoh took off his
ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in
vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made
him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before
him, Bow the knee."
"He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind
his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom." Psalm
105:21, 22. From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the
land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with
difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without
danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley,
while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who
have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to
the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But
Joseph's character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The
same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the
Pharaohs as when in a prisoner's cell. He was still a stranger in a
heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he
fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in
constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his
position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of
Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their
idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life
and character of the worshiper of Jehovah.
How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of character,
uprightness, and wisdom?--In his early years he had consulted duty
rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble
nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and
simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and
intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works and the
contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith
had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and
strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention to
duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been
training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance
with the Creator's will is securing to himself the truest and noblest
development of character. "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to
depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28.
There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life
upon the development of character. Nothing with which we have to do is
really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by day are
designed to test our faithfulness and to qualify us for greater trusts.
By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life, the mind
becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of pleasure
and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between right
and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are loyal to duty
because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity and truth. By
faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful
in greater matters.
An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without
it none can rise to an honorable eminence. But character is not
inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental
qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of
no value unless they are improved. The formation of a noble character is
the work of a lifetime and must be the result of diligent and
persevering effort. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the
use made of them.
Previous Chapter l Table
Contents l Next Chapter
|
|
