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Joseph a Christian Gentleman, November 9
But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him
favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Genesis 39:21
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Joseph regarded his being sold into Egypt as the greatest calamity that
could have befallen him; but he saw the necessity of trusting in God as
he had never done when protected by his father’s love. Joseph brought
God with him into Egypt, and the fact was made apparent by his cheerful
demeanor amid his sorrow. As the ark of God brought rest and prosperity
to Israel, so did this God-loving, God-fearing youth bring a blessing to
Egypt. This was manifested in so marked a manner that Potiphar, in whose
house he served, attributed all his blessings to his purchased slave
Joseph’s religion kept his temper sweet and his sympathy with human-
ity warm and strong, notwithstanding all his trials. There are those who if
they feel they are not rightly used, become sour, ungenerous, crabbed and
uncourteous in their words and deportment. They sink down discouraged,
hateful and hating others. But Joseph was a Christian. No sooner does he
enter upon prison life, than he brings all the brightness of his Christian
principles into active exercise; he begins to make himself useful to others.
He enters into the troubles of his fellow prisoners. He is cheerful, for he
is a Christian gentleman. God was preparing him under this discipline
for a situation of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness, and he was
willing to learn; he took kindly to the lessons the Lord would teach him.
He learned to bear the yoke in his youth. He learned to govern by first
learning obedience himself....
The part which Joseph acted in connection with the scenes of the
gloomy prison, was that which raised him finally to prosperity and honor.
God designed that he should obtain an experience by temptations, ad-
versity, and hardships, to prepare him to fill an exalted position. Joseph
carried his religion everywhere, and this was the secret of his unwavering
fidelity
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21
The Youth’s Instructor, March 11, 1897
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22
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1097
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