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of the
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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。〃
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〃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
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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。
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Chapter 21
Joseph and His Brothers
At the very opening of the fruitful years began the preparation for the
approaching famine。 Under the direction of Joseph； immense storehouses were
erected in all the principal places throughout the land of Egypt； and ample
arrangements were made for preserving the surplus of the expected harvest。
The same policy was continued during the seven years of plenty； until the
amount of grain laid in store was beyond computation。
And now the seven years of dearth began to come； according to Joseph's
prediction。 〃And the dearth was in all lands； but in all the land of Egypt
there was bread。 And when all the land of Egypt was famished； the people
cried to Pharaoh for bread： and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians； Go unto
Joseph； what he saith to you； do。 And the famine was over all the face of
the earth： and Joseph opened all the storehouses； and sold unto the
Egyptians。〃
The famine extended to the land of Canaan and was severely felt in that part
of the country where Jacob dwelt。 Hearing of the