patriarchs and prophets-第53章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
existence。 Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity and his fidelity to God。 The
sights and sounds of vice were all about him； but he was as one who saw and
heard not。 His thoughts were not permitted to linger upon forbidden
subjects。 The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him
to conceal his principles。 Had he attempted to do this； he would have been
overcome by temptation； but he was not ashamed of the religion of his
fathers； and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of
Jehovah。
〃And the Lord was with Joseph； and he was a prosperous man。 。 。 。 And his
master saw that the Lord was with him； and that the Lord made all that he
did to prosper in his hand。〃 Potiphar's confidence in Joseph increased
daily； and he finally promoted him to be his steward； with full control over
all his possessions。 〃And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand； and he
knew not aught he had； save the bread which he did eat。〃
The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph's care
was not the result of a direct miracle； but his industry； care； and energy
were crowned with the divine blessing。 Joseph attributed his success to the
favor of God； and even his idolatrous master accepted this as the secret of
his unparalleled
217
prosperity。 Without steadfast； well…directed effort； however； success could
never have been attained。 God was glorified by the faithfulness of His
servant。 It was His purpose that in purity and uprightness the believer in
God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of idolsthat thus
the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of
heathenism。
Joseph's gentleness and fidelity won the heart of the chief captain； who
came to regard him as a son rather than a slave。 The youth was brought in
contact with men of rank and learning； and he acquired a knowledge of
science； of languages； and of affairsan education needful to the future
prime minister of Egypt。
But Joseph's faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials。 His
master's wife endeavored to entice the young man to transgress the law of
God。 Heretofore he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming in that
heathen land； but this temptation； so sudden； so strong； so seductivehow
should it be met？ Joseph knew well what would be the consequence of
resistance。 On the one hand were concealment； favor； and rewards； on the
other； disgrace； imprisonment； perhaps death。 His whole future life depended
upon the decision of the moment。 Would principle triumph？ Would Joseph still
be true to God？ With inexpressible anxiety； angels looked upon the scene。
Joseph's answer reveals the power of religious principle。 He would not
betray the confidence of his master on earth； and； whatever the
consequences； he would be true to his Master in heaven。 Under the inspecting
eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be
guilty in the presence of their fellow men； but Joseph's first thought was
of God。 〃How can I do this great wickedness； and sin against God？〃 he said。
If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all
that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions； and
that we must meet it all； we would fear to sin。 Let the young ever remember
that wherever they are； and whatever they do； they are in the presence of
God。 No part of our conduct escapes observation。 We cannot hide our ways
from the Most High。 Human laws； though sometimes severe； are often
transgressed without detection； and hence with impunity。 But not so with the
law of God。 The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one。 He may
think himself alone； but to
218
every deed there is an unseen witness。 The very motives of his heart are
open to divine inspection。 Every act； every word； every thought； is as
distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world；
and the attention of heaven were centered upon him。
Joseph suffered for his integrity； for his tempter revenged herself by
accusing him of a foul crime； and causing him to be thrust into prison。 Had
Potiphar believed his wife's charge against Joseph； the young Hebrew would
have lost his life； but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly
characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence； and yet； to save the
reputation of his master's house； he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage。
At the first Joseph was treated with great severity by his jailers。 The
psalmist says； 〃His feet they hurt with fetters； he was laid in chains of
iron： until the time that his word came to pass； the word of the Lord tried
him。〃 Psalm 105：18； 19； R。V。 But Joseph's real character shines out； even in
the darkness of the dungeon。 He held fast his faith and patience； his years
of faithful service had been most cruelly repaid； yet this did not render
him morose or distrustful。 He had the peace that comes from conscious
innocence； and he trusted his case with God。 He did not brood upon his own
wrongs； but forgot his sorrow in trying to lighten the sorrows of others。 He
found a work to do； even in the prison。 God was preparing him in the school
of affliction for greater usefulness； and he did not refuse the needful
discipline。 In the prison； witnessing the results of oppression and tyranny
and the effects of crime； he learned lessons of justice； sympathy； and
mercy； that prepared him to exercise power with wisdom and compassion。
Joseph gradually gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison； and was
finally entrusted with the charge of all the prisoners。 It was the part he
acted in the prisonthe integrity of his daily life and his sympathy for
those who were in trouble and distressthat opened the way for his future
prosperity and honor。 Every ray of light that we shed upon others is
reflected upon ourselves。 Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the
sorrowful； every act to relieve the oppressed； and every gift to the needy；
if prompted by a right motive； will result in blessings to the giver。
219
The chief baker and chief butler of the king had been cast into prison for
some offense； and they came under Joseph's charge。 One morning； observing
that they appeared very sad； he kindly inquired the cause and was told that
each had had a remarkable dream； of which they were anxious to learn the
significance。 〃Do not interpretations belong to God？〃 said Joseph； 〃tell me
them； I pray you。〃 As each related his dream； Joseph made known its import：
In three days the butler was to be reinstated in his position； and give the
cup into Pharaoh's hand as before； but the chief baker would be put to death
by the king's command。 In both cases the event occurred as foretold。
The king's cupbearer had professed the deepest gratitude to Joseph； both for
the cheering interpretation of his dream and for many acts of kind
attention； and in return the latter； referring in a most touching manner to
his own unjust captivity； entreated that his case be brought before the
king。 〃Think on me；〃 he said； 〃when it shall be well with thee； and show
kindness； I pray thee； unto me； and make mention of me unto Pharaoh； and
bring me out of this house： for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of
the Hebrews： and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into
the dungeon。〃 The chief butler saw the dream fulfilled in every particular；
but when restored to royal favor； he thought no more of his benefactor。 For
two years longer Joseph remained a prisoner。 The hope that had been kindled
in his heart gradually died out； and to all other trials was added the
bitter sting of ingratitude。
But a divine hand was about to open the prison gates。 The king of Egypt had
in one night two dreams； apparently pointing to the same event and seeming
to foreshadow some great calamity。 He could not determine their
significance； yet they continued to trouble his mind。 The magicians and wise
men of his realm could give no interpretation。 The king's perplexity and
distress increased
