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THE KING’S BUSINESS
bookkeepers, women and social relations, cup bearers, who are ^een pressing the cluster into royal wine cups, and bakers bearing baskets on »their heads. A novel, Joseph may have read, gives an account closely similar to his temptation. The rep resentations of Genesis have been denied by infidels, but God in His own way and season has vindicated them. I. J oseph a P rosperous M an . 1. Potiphar, —'“Captain of the Guard” was officially a great man, and had a large estate. He would be a prosperous man who had his confidence and managed his affairs as did Joseph. 2. Joseph a Favorite. His father’s fa vorite he became, Potiphar’s, the prison keeper’s, Pharaoh’s, and was Jehovah’s, who, in turn, among all was Joseph’s. Prosperity waits on the youth who culti vates the character and ways of such a successful man. 3. Joseph a Blessing. We are in the midst of a history which shows how God in part kept His promise to make Abra ham’s seed a blessing (Gen. 12:2). The employer who has a Joseph on the job will also prosper. Put none but Christians (real Christians) on guard. Even ungodly men prefer to trust their affairs with the godly. II. J oseph E ndures T emptation . 1. A Handsome Man. “Joseph was comely and well favored. “But,” hand some is who handsome does.” Joseph was doubly handsome. Both natural and phy sical gifts are dangerous, like bright hues that attract birds and admirers, who de vour or pluck the worm or flower. Let fine faces, figures, voices, and faculties be thoroughly consecrated, and early, to Christ; the world, the flesh and the devil are after them. 2. The Temptation. It was fearful. It was his mistress, the lady and possessor of the house, able to advance or to break him; she had the attractions of an Egyptian princess and wore her gauzy, perfumed and bejew«led finery; Joseph was young,
inexperienced and dependent; and society around was loose. 3. His Integrity. The character built up by years of piety, his sense of obliga tion and gratitude to his kind master, and above all his loyalty to his God preserved him. “How,” said he, “can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Where David fell (2 Sam. 11:3, 4) Joseph stood, fulfilling the first and second command ments, he loved the Lord his God, and his neighbor. Pure young men, enduring temptation, may they be multiplied! Dare to be a Joseph! Joseph “fled and got him out.” “Wickedness,” “great wickedness,” “sin against God!” and Paul says truly, also, “Against his own body” (1 Cor. 6: 18). III. J oseph a P risoner . 1. The Woman’s Revenge. Wicked, and cruel as she was lustful; shamed, cha grined, despised by her bondman, she plot ted his death (the penalty of Egyptian law for the crime she proposed) ; accused him to her husband, who probably suspected her, rather than Joseph, and sent him to prison instead of to the sword. So, often, good men have suffered for refusing to do evil. Jesus was slandered and suffered for well doing, but both He and Joseph, hav ing endured temptation obtained a crown of life (James 1:12). “Be not weary in well doing for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not” (Gal. 6:9). 2. Joseph a Trusty. The jailer could not resist the drawing power of Joseph— what a noble youth he was 1 and soon th e ' administration of the citadel was in the charge of him always “found faithful.” Everywhere, freeman or slave, prince or prisoner; feeding his father’s flock, seek ing his absent brothers, doing menial serv ice or management for Potiphar, or pro tecting his honor from his wife; or “hurt with fetters” (Ps. 105:18), or caring for his fellow prisoners, or next to Pharaoh on the throne, in all labors, in all offices, Joseph served and Joseph prospered, for “Jehovah was with him,” and Joseph serv ed Him.
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