patriarchs and prophets-第55章
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greater trusts。 By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary
life； the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of
pleasure and inclination。 Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between
right and wrong； like the reed trembling in the wind； they are loyal to duty
because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity and truth。 By
faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful in
greater matters。
An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir。 Without it
none can rise to an honorable eminence。 But character is not inherited。 It
cannot be bought。 Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the
result of accident。 The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are
improved。 The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime and
must be the result of diligent and persevering effort。 God gives
opportunities； success depends upon the use made of them。
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Chapter 21
Joseph and His Brothers
At the very opening of the fruitful years began the preparation for the
approaching famine。 Under the direction of Joseph； immense storehouses were
erected in all the principal places throughout the land of Egypt； and ample
arrangements were made for preserving the surplus of the expected harvest。
The same policy was continued during the seven years of plenty； until the
amount of grain laid in store was beyond computation。
And now the seven years of dearth began to come； according to Joseph's
prediction。 〃And the dearth was in all lands； but in all the land of Egypt
there was bread。 And when all the land of Egypt was famished； the people
cried to Pharaoh for bread： and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians； Go unto
Joseph； what he saith to you； do。 And the famine was over all the face of
the earth： and Joseph opened all the storehouses； and sold unto the
Egyptians。〃
The famine extended to the land of Canaan and was severely felt in that part
of the country where Jacob dwelt。 Hearing of the abundant provision made by
the king of Egypt； ten of Jacob's sons journeyed thither to purchase grain。
On their arrival they were directed to the king's deputy； and with other
applicants they came to present themselves before the ruler of the land。 And
they 〃bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth。〃
〃Joseph knew his brethren； but they knew not him。〃 His Hebrew name had been
exchanged for the one bestowed upon him by the king； and there was little
resemblance between the prime minister of Egypt and the stripling whom they
had sold to the Ishmaelites。 As Joseph saw his brothers stooping and making
obeisance； his dreams came to his mind； and the scenes of the past rose
vividly before him。 His keen eye； surveying the group； discovered that
Benjamin was not among them。 Had he also fallen
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a victim to the treacherous cruelty of those savage men？ He determined to
learn the truth。 〃Ye are spies；〃 he said sternly； 〃to see the nakedness of
the land ye are come。〃
They answered； 〃Nay； my lord； but to buy food are thy servants come。 We are
all one man's sons； we are true men； thy servants are no spies。〃 He wished
to learn if they possessed the same haughty spirit as when he was with them；
and also to draw from them some information in regard to their home； yet he
well knew how deceptive their statements might be。 He repeated the charge；
and they replied； 〃Thy servants are twelve brethren； the sons of one man in
the land of Canaan； and； behold； the youngest is this day with our father；
and one is not。〃
Professing to doubt the truthfulness of their story； and to still look upon
them as spies； the governor declared that he would prove them； by requiring
them to remain in Egypt till one of their number should go and bring their
youngest brother down。 If they would not consent to this； they were to be
treated as spies。 But to such an arrangement the sons of Jacob could not
agree； since the time required for carrying it out would cause their
families to suffer for food； and who among them would undertake the journey
alone； leaving his brothers in prison？ How could he meet his father under
such circumstances？ It appeared probable that they were to be put to death
or to be made slaves； and if Benjamin were brought； it might be only to
share their fate。 They decided to remain and suffer together； rather than
bring additional sorrow upon their father by the loss of his only remaining
son。 They were accordingly cast into prison； where they remained three days。
During the years since Joseph had been separated from his brothers； these
sons of Jacob had changed in character。 Envious； turbulent； deceptive；
cruel； and revengeful they had been； but now； when tested by adversity； they
were shown to be unselfish； true to one another； devoted to their father；
and； themselves middle…aged men； subject to his authority。
The three days in the Egyptian prison were days of bitter sorrow as the
brothers reflected upon their past sins。 Unless Benjamin could be produced
their conviction as spies appeared certain； and they had little hope of
gaining their father's consent to Benjamin's absence。 On the third day
Joseph caused the brothers to be brought before him。 He dared not detain
them longer。
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Already his father and the families with him might be suffering for food。
〃This do； and live；〃 he said； 〃for I fear God； if ye be true men； let one of
your brethren be bound in the house of your prison： go ye； carry corn for
the famine of your houses： but bring your youngest brother unto me； so shall
your words be verified； and ye shall not die。〃 This proposition they agreed
to accept； though expressing little hope that their father would let
Benjamin return with them。 Joseph had communicated with them through an
interpreter； and having no thought that the governor understood them； they
conversed freely with one another in his presence。 They accused themselves
in regard to their treatment of Joseph： 〃We are verily guilty concerning our
brother； in that we saw the anguish of his soul； when he besought us； and we
would not hear； therefore is this distress come upon us。〃 Reuben； who had
formed the plan for delivering him at Dothan； added； 〃Spake I not unto you；
saying； Do not sin against the child； and ye would not hear？ therefore；
behold； also his blood is required。〃 Joseph； listening； could not control
his emotions； and he went out and wept。 On his return he commanded that
Simeon be bound before them and again committed to prison。 In the cruel
treatment of their brother； Simeon had been the instigator and chief actor；
and it was for this reason that the choice fell upon him。
Before permitting his brothers to depart； Joseph gave directions that they
should be supplied with grain； and also that each man's money should be
secretly placed in the mouth of his sack。 Provender for the beasts on the
homeward journey was also supplied。 On the way one of the company； opening
his sack； was surprised to find his bag of silver。 On his making known the
fact to the others； they were alarmed and perplexed； and said one to
another； 〃What is this that God hath done unto us？〃should they regard it
as a token of good from the Lord； or had He suffered it to occur to punish
them for their sins and plunge them still deeper in affliction？ They
acknowledged that God had seen their sins； and that He was now punishing
them。
Jacob was anxiously awaiting the return of his sons； and on their arrival
the whole encampment gathered eagerly around them as they related to their
father all that had occurred。 Alarm and apprehension filled every heart。 The
conduct of the Egyptian governor seemed to imply some evil design； and their
fears were confirmed； when； as they opened their sacks； the owner's money
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was found in each。 In his distress the aged father exclaimed； 〃Me have ye
bereaved of my children： Joseph is not； and Simeon is not； and ye will take
Benjamin aw
