JOSEPH EXALTED. -- Genesis 41:38-48. GOLDEN TEXT. --_ Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass._ -- Psalms 37:5. TIME. --About B. C. 1812. PLACE. --Egypt. LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. _Favor in the King's Eyes;_ 2. _The Servant Made. Ruler;_ 3. _Joseph Over the Land o... [ Continue Reading ]
FORASMUCH AS GOD HATH SHOWED THEE ALL THIS. Pharaoh's conclusion is rational. If God has shown all this to Joseph, the spirit of God must be in him and he will therefore be "discreet and wise." His words show how greatly the Egyptians esteemed the higher knowledge, since it confirms the opinion tha... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE OVER MY HOUSE. The language that follows shows that Joseph was elevated to the position known under Oriental despotic monarchs as Grand Vizier, the next officer to the king, and absolute over all the king's subjects as long as he retains office. The vicissitudes in his life were remark... [ Continue Reading ]
II. THE SERVANT MADE. RULER. 41. SEE,. HAVE SET THEE OVER ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT. These are the words of official appointment and were accompanied by the formal acts required to install Joseph into office.... [ Continue Reading ]
PHARAOH TOOK OFF HIS RING... AND PUT IT ON JOSEPH'S HAND. In this ring was probably the king's signet or seal by which all royal decrees and laws were signed, and giving it to Joseph was making him Lord High Chancellor, the Keeper of the Privy Seal. In Oriental countries still letters are seldom wr... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MADE HIM TO RIDE IN THE SECOND CHARIOT. The first chariot was that in which the king rode; the second chariot belonged to the man who held the second rank in Egypt. These were state chariots. BOW THE KNEE. As he bore the royal seal and was the king's representative, his progress, when he trave... [ Continue Reading ]
III. JOSEPH OVER THE LAND OF EGYPT. 44.. AM PHARAOH, AND WITHOUT THEE, ETC. These words are designed to say that he would back up Joseph with all his power. "I am Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, the absolute ruler. What. say is law; and. say that without thee no man shall lift up his hand or his foot... [ Continue Reading ]
PHARAOH CALLED HIS NAME ZAPHNATH-PIANEAH. He was to receive yet. new elevation signified by. new name. It was an ancient custom that the name should be changed when one entered into new relations. The name of Abram was changed to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, and the Babylonians gave ne... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE STOOD BEFORE PHARAOH. Julius Cæsar, beholding the picture of Alexander in Hercules' temple at Gades, wept that he had done no worthy act at those years wherein Alexander had conquered the world. Behold, Joseph at thirty showed more wisdom and virtue than either o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EARTH BROUGHT FORTH BY HANDFULS. The harvests during these seven plenteous years were as much above the average as those of the seven following years fell below.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GATHERED UP AN THE FOOD OF THE SEVEN YEARS. Under the supervision of Joseph one-fifth of all the ground, levied as ground tax, was gathered into the great public storehouses, which were located in each city. Such storehouses for grain appear on the Egyptian monuments, with all the processes for... [ Continue Reading ]