Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/143

 Now, therefore,  let  the  king  provide  a wise  and  industrious  man and make  him  ruler  over  the  land  of  Egypt  that  he  may  appoint overseers over  all  the  countries,  and  gather  into  barns  the  fifth part of  the  fruits  during  the  seven  fruitful  years  that  shall  now presently ensue,  and  let  all  the  corn  be  laid  up  under  Pharao’ s hands  and  be  reserved  in  the  cities.”

This counsel  was  pleasing  to  Pharao,  and  he  said  to  his courtiers: “Can  we  find  such  another  man  that  is  full  of  the  Spirit of God?”  Then  the  king  said  to  Joseph:  “Can  I find  one  wiser and like  unto  thee? Thou shalt  be  over  my  house,  and  at  the commandment of  thy  mouth  all  the  people  shall  obey. Only in the  kingly  throne  will  I be  above  thee.”

Then the  king,  having  made  Joseph  ruler  over  all  the  land of Egypt,  took  his  ring  from  his  own  hand,  and  placed  it  on that  of  Joseph. He also  put  on  him  a robe  of  silk,  and  a chain of gold  around  his  neck,  and  caused  him  to  be  seated  in  a triumphal  chariot  next  to  his  own,  the  crier  proclaiming  that  all should bow  their  knee  before  him  and  that  they  should  know he was  made  governor  over  the  whole  land  of  Egypt  (Fig.  15). He also  changed  his  name,  and  called  him  saviour  of  the  world. Joseph was  thirty  years  old  when  he  was  made  ruler  of  Egypt.

Humility. When Pharao  said  to  Joseph:  “I  have  heard  that  thou art very  wise  at  interpreting  dreams”,  Joseph  replied  that  it  was  God alone who  could  give  the  interpretation. This was  as  much  as  to  say: