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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 situationfrom 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 fulfilledhow； in the hour of need； the angels of God had come
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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 Godunder
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
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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 idolsthat 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 affairsan 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 seductivehow
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
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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
accus