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prepared, outwardly and inwardly, for the position he was to occupy. The beauty
which Joseph had inherited from his mother exposed him to wicked suggestions on
the part of his master's wife, which will surprise those least who are best acquainted
with the state of ancient Egyptian society. Joseph stood quite alone in a heathen land
and house. He was surrounded only by what would blunt his moral sense, and render
the temptation all the more powerful. He had also, as compared with us, a very
imperfect knowledge of the law of God in its height and depth. Moreover, what he
had seen of his older brothers would not have elevated his views. Still, he firmly
resisted evil, alike from a sense of integrity towards his master, and, above all, from
dread "of this great wickedness and sin against God." Yet it seemed only to fare the
worse with him for his principles. As so often, the violent passion of the woman
turned into equally violent hatred, and she maliciously concocted a false charge
against him.^58 We have reason to believe that Potiphar could not in every respect
have credited the story of his wife. For the punishment awarded in Egypt to the crime
of which she accused him, was far more severe than that which Joseph received.
Potiphar consigned him to the king's prison, of which, in his capacity as chief of the
body-guard, he was the superintendent. How bitterly it fared there with him at the
first, we learn from these words of Psalm 105:17,18 -
"He sent before them a man: Sold for a slave was Joseph, They afflicted with fetters
his feet, The iron entered into his soul."^59
The contrast could scarcely be greater than between his former prophetic dreams and
his present condition. But even so Joseph remained steadfast. And, as if to set before
us the other contrast between sight and faith, the sacred text expressly states it: "But"
- a word on which our faith should often lay emphasis - "Jehovah was with Joseph,
and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
By-and-by, as his integrity more and more appeared, the charge of the prisoners was
committed unto him; and as "what he did Jehovah made to prosper," the whole
management of the prison ultimately passed into Joseph's hands. Thus, here also
Jehovah proved Himself a faithful covenant-God. A silver streak was lining the dark
cloud. But still must "patience have her perfect work."
(^)