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Joseph, March 3
Heroes for God
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.
Genesis 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 char-
acter, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted
duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the no-
ble 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.
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