Joseph
And Pharaoh said unto
his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of
God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed 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. Gen. 41:38-40
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
manifested 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 . . . 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. . .
. 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.
From My Life Today - Page 71
