Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/44

Rh lay up corn and keep food in the cities against the seven years of famine.

This wise counsel Pharaoh was wise enough to take, and he shewed no less wisdom in appointing Joseph to fill the office which he had proposed. "Can we" said the king to his court, "find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" In adopting Joseph, he said, "Inasmuch as God has shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art; thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have made thee ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck." Pharaoh also gave him to wife Asenath, daughter of the priest of On. Joseph was now indeed recompensed for his long affliction. Honour and wealth and happiness were now his; and he gave expression to his thankfulness, as the people in those times were wont to do,