Joseph in Potiphar

Joseph in Potiphar's House

WHEN the merchants, who had bought Joseph, arrived in Egypt, they sold him to Potiphar, a captain in the king's army.
   The Lord was with Joseph. The master saw that the Lord gave success to everything that was put into Joseph's hand. So Potiphar gave him full charge over his household.
   But Potighar's wife, who at first was very friendly to Joseph, afterward became his enemy, because Joseph would not do wrong to please her. She told her husband falsely that Joseph had done a wicked deed. Her husband believed her, became very angry at Joseph, and threw him in prison.
   One night, King Pharaoh himself had a dream - really two dreams. And in the morning he sent for all the wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams; but no one could give the meaning of them. The king was troubled, for he felt that the dreams had some meaning, which it was important for him to know.
   Then suddenly the chief butler, who was by the king's table, remembered that Joseph had told him t,he exact meaning of a dream he had two years before, and he said, "I remember a young Hebrew in the prison who explained a dream for me; and all that he said came true."
   King Pharaoh sent to the prison for Joseph. Joseph was taken out, was dressed in new garments, and was led in to Pharaoh in the palace.
   Then the king told his dreams. "Joseph, I have dreamed that I saw seven fat cows grazing in a meadow beside the river; and seven thin cows came and ate them up. But after- ward the thin cows were just as thin as ever. And I saw seven good full ears of corn that were eaten by seven dry ears."
   Joseph said, "God will help me explain the king's dreams. The two dreams are one. God has shown the king what He is about to do. The seven fat cows are seven years of plenty. The seven good ears of corn are those same seven years of plenty. The seven thin cows are seven years of famine. The seven thin ears are those same seven years of famine. Let the king choose a wise man to r,rule over Egypt. Let this ruler gather corn during the years of plenty, so that the people may have food during the seven years of famine."
   The king heard all that Joseph said and was pleased. He said, "Since God has shown you all this, there is no other man as wise as you. I will appoint you to do t;his work and to rule over the land of Egypt. All the people shall be under you; only on the throne of Egypt, will I be above you."
   Then Pharaoh, took from his own hand the ring which held his seal, and put it on Joseph's hand, so that he could sign for the king' and seal in the king's place. He made Joseph ride in a. chariot which was next in rank to his own. And thus Joseph was ruler over all the land of Egypt.