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The Story of Redemption
Joseph in Egypt
Joseph’s brethren purposed to kill him, but were finally content to
sell him as a slave, to prevent his becoming greater than themselves.
They thought they had placed him where they would be no more
troubled with his dreams, and where there would not be a possibility
of their fulfillment. But the very course which they pursued God
overruled to bring about that which they designed never should take
place—that he should have dominion over them.
God did not leave Joseph to go into Egypt alone. Angels prepared
the way for his reception. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of
the guard, bought him of the Ishmaelites. And the Lord was with
Joseph, and He prospered him and gave him favor with his master,
so that all he possessed he entrusted to Joseph’s care. “And he left
all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save
the bread which he did eat.” It was considered an abomination for a
Hebrew to prepare food for an Egyptian.
When Joseph was tempted to deviate from the path of right, to
transgress the law of God and prove untrue to his master, he firmly
resisted and gave evidence of the elevating power of the fear of
God in his answer to his master’s wife. After speaking of the great
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confidence of his master in him, by entrusting all that he had with
him, he exclaimed, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin
against God?” He would not be persuaded to deviate from the path
of righteousness and trample upon God’s law by any inducements
or threats.
And when he was accused, and a base crime was falsely laid
to his charge, he did not sink in despair. In the consciousness of
innocence and right he still trusted God. And God, who had hitherto
supported him, did not forsake him. He was bound with fetters and
kept in a gloomy prison. Yet God turned even this misfortune into
a blessing. He gave him favor with the keeper of the prison, and to
Joseph was soon committed the charge of all the prisoners.
Here is an example to all generations who should live upon the
earth. Although they may be exposed to temptations, yet they should
ever realize that there is a defense at hand, and it will be their own
fault if they are not preserved. God will be a present help, and His