Our story now turns back to the life of Jo'seph. When last we heard of him, he was being taken to E'gypt by a band of Ish'ma-el-ite slave-traders who had bought him from his hard-hearted brothers, and his father Ja'cob was mourning him for dead.
When the slave-traders came to E'gypt, Jo'seph was sold as a household servant to a man named Pot'i-phar, who was a high officer in the army of Pha'raoh. Even though he was still a slave, Jo'seph did not give up hope that some day his dreams would come true.
In place of the hills and mountains of Ca'naan, Jo'seph now looked out upon the great plains of the river Nile; instead of living in a crude tent in the wilderness, he now enjoyed the comforts of a splendid home in a rich city. Looking out upon the beautiful temples of E'gypt, the pyramids, and the Sphinx, Jo'seph must have longed for the day when he could take an active part in the affairs of this great country.
Jo'seph was a handsome young man, pleasant and cheerful by nature, and blessed with a quick mind and upright heart. He was also honest and loyal, and always ready and willing to do his duty. He did his work so well in the house of Pot'i-phar that he soon won the complete trust of his master, and was rapidly promoted to positions of greater honor. At length Pot'i-phar made Jo'seph his chief steward, giving him charge of his entire household. Though Pot'i-phar did not worship the God of Jo'seph, he was greatly impressed by the good character and true faith of his servant. It is said in the Bible that Pot'i-phar saw that the LORD was with Jo'seph, making him prosper in all that he did.
While Jo'seph was mourned by his father in Ca'naan as dead, he now prospered in E'gypt under Pot'i-phar. Honoring God, he was now being honored by the LORD he worshipped; having served faithfully over a few things, he was now made ruler over many; having learned to manage Pot'i-phar's house, he was now being prepared to rule over all the land of E'gypt.
The same noble qualities which won for Jo'seph the admiration of Pot'i-phar were also the means of subjecting him to severe temptation. Pot'i-phar's wife was attracted by his magnetic personality and manliness, and sought to lure him into a friendship which he thought wrong. Jo'seph wished to maintain the integrity of his character and good opinion of his master, and was careful not to do anything to violate the trust imposed in him.
The mightiest fortress in Jo'seph's character was the fear of God. He acknowledged the Supreme Authority of High Heaven in all matters of human conduct. Though the dagger of temptation pierced his heart, his uncompromising devotion to the principle of right prevented any fatal wound. Under severe trial he said, "How can I do this in the presence of my God?" Having set God in complete control of his affections he could not be moved by the most violent attacks of satan.
