No greater change has come to any man than that which Jo'seph knew in E'gypt. The fetters of iron which bound his feet were exchanged for a golden chain around his neck, and the course prison clothes for the fine linen worn by the nobility. The gloomy dungeon was forgotten as he dwelt in the royal palace, and all disgrace was removed when he rode next to the king in a public procession. He had been in prison through no fault of his own, but now had become master of all that the king possessed.
Pha'roah added still another blessing by giving him a wife from one of the most noble families of the land, and so Jo'seph was married to the daughter of the high priest of the temple in the capital city of E'gypt. In the course of time two sons were born to this marriage, and were brought up in the faith of their father.
Many people would have been puffed up with pride by so wonderful a change, but Jo'seph was too busy to waste time in self-admiration. Instead, he went to work at once on the task which the king had given him. His first step was to make a thorough study of the country, finding out how much food was needed, and how much could be raised during the seven years of abundant crops. To the law which required the people to give one tenth of all their produce to the government, he added the rule that they place one fifth in storage for the years of famine which were to come. The people were also forbidden to waste food, and all that they did not need was purchased by the government and stored up for future needs.
Jo'seph was wise enough to foresee the evil days that were coming, and to prepare for them before it was too late. In times of abundant harvest and prosperity he made sure that the nation would not suffer when crops were poor and times were hard. He was honored by the king, and proved his right to such honor by enriching the nation. By his careful management he saved the lives of the E'gyp-tians, provided food for even their cattle and live-stock, and maintained the glory of their nation.
