Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/317

Rh Joseph in Egypt

299

"Why

should not we Jews do must we always strive to be better and hold ourselves aloof from pleasures which other

Ofttimes we hear people say,

Why

what other peoi)le do?

They do not understand, or are too weak As we have learned, we Jews may temptation.

people enjoy?" to

resist

not do

and

ter,

that others do;

all

birthright



we must

be better because of our

because w^e can be a blessing only by being bet-

more steadfastly, and, by our and our help, bringing others to beWe must strive ourselves, pure, noble and good.

resisting temptation

teaching, our example,

come

like

to be better in every

way, that thereby we

standard of truth and right which hands.

The Jew who

to

better than

live

Jew^

and

the

may uphold

has placed

in

the

our

yields to temptation, or will not strive

around him,

all

eternal

God

birthright

Surely the realization of

all this

of

unworthy the name Abraham, our father.

is

should help us to resist temp-

and to fit ourselves to do God's work. But though Joseph bravely resisted temptation, none the less he was falsely accused of having done the very thing he had not done. In consequence he was thrown into prison, where he remained for several years. But even here God Probably this, too, was a part of his did not forsake him. trial. And here, too, Joseph stood the test nobly. He was cheered by the thought that he had been innocent of the crime of which he had been charged, and was confident that Therefore, in due time his innocence would become clear. instead of complaining at his sad lot and despairing of God's He endeavored to be help, he made the best of things. useful even in prison. Thus he found favor with the governor of the prison and all who were there, even his fellowDay by day their trust in Joseph grew and they prisoners. found pleasure and comfort in his cheerful presence. Even in prison he was discharging his birthright and bringing

tation

blessing to those about him.

We

need not wait to attain high position to begin our \n