Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/39

36. Fortune, as the world would express it, seems to have turned her back upon Joseph. His very virtues seem to be the cause of his misfortunes; his benefits bring him no relief Injury and forgetfulness consign him to the dreary dungeon. Yet the Lord was with him. But the Lord's time of deliverance had not yet come. He who sees the end from the beginning knows how much affliction His children need. It would frustrate the divine purpose to communicate this knowledge to them. The trial of their virtue requires that they should wait patiently in trust and hope. There is no sign of Joseph murmuring against God, though he justly complained against the injustice and ingratitude of men.

The time of Joseph's deliverance came at last. Two full years had passed since the butler had been restored to his office and had given the cup into Pharaoh's hand,—but Joseph was still in the dungeon. Had the butler remembered Joseph and mentioned him to Pharaoh, he might have been set at liberty, and left to make what use of it he could; but now God was to do for him more than he could