20 (Lamentations 3:27; Matthew 23:12). Seeming Prosperity of Vice, a Severe Test—Joseph’s faithful integrity led to the loss of his reputation and his liberty. This is the severest test that the virtuous and God-fearing are subjected to, that vice seems to prosper while virtue is trampled in the dust. The seducer was living in prosperity as a model of virtuous propriety, while Joseph, true to principle, was under a degrading charge of crime the most revolting. Joseph’s religion kept his temper sweet and his sympathy with humanity warm and strong, notwithstanding all his trials. There are those who if they feel they are not rightly used, become sour, ungenerous, crabbed and uncourteous in their words and deportment. They sink down discouraged, hateful and hating others. But Joseph was a Christian. No sooner does he enter upon prison life, than he brings all the brightness of his Christian principles into active exercise; he begins to make himself useful to others. He enters into the troubles of his fellow prisoners. He is cheerful, for he is a Christian gentleman. God was preparing him under this discipline for a situation of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness, and he was willing to learn; he took kindly to the lessons the Lord would teach him. He learned to bear the yoke in his youth. He learned to govern by first learning obedience himself. He humbled himself, and the Lord exalted him to special honor (Letter 3, 1879).{1BC 1097.4}

20 (Klag. 3,27; Matt. 23,12). Tilsyneladende fremgang i ondskab er en hård prøve.--Josefs trofaste renhed førte til at han mistede omdømme og sin frihed. Dette er de hårdeste prøve som den retskafne og gudfrygtige kan underlægges, at ondskaben lader til at få fremgang, medens dydighed trædes i støvet. Ham der forleder levede i velstand som et forbillede på ondskabens velstand, medens Josef der var principfast, var under nedrig anklage for den mest afskyelige forbrydelse. Josefs gudsfrygt bevarede hans sind mildt og hans medfølelse med andre varm og stærk trods alle hans trængsler. Der er nogle, som, hvis de ikke synes, de bliver retfærdigt behandlet, bliver gnavne, irritable og uhøflige i deres ord og optræden. Modløse og hadefulde synker de hen og hader andre. Men Josef var en kristen. Ikke så snart begynder han sit liv som fange, før han bringer alle sine strålende kristne grundsætninger til udførelse: han begynder at gøre sig nyttig for andre. Han tager del i sine medfangers bekymringer. Hans sind er lyst, fordi han er en kristen personlighed. Gud forberedte ham gennem denne tugt til en meget ansvarsfuld stilling, til ære og brugbarhed, og han var villig til at lære; han tog med venlighed imod alt, hvad Herren ville lære ham. I sin ungdom lærte han at bære åget. Han lærte at styre ved først selv at lære lydighed. Han ydmygede sig selv, og Herren ophøjede ham til en særlig ære (brev 3, 1879).