"He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom." Psalm 105:21, 22. From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But Joseph's character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner's cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and character of the worshiper of Jehovah.

Han tog ham til herre for sit hus, til hersker over alt sit gods; han styred hans øverster efter sin vilje og viste hans ældste til rette. Sl. 105, 21-22. Fra fængslet var Josef blevet ophøjet til hersker over hele Ægypten. Det var en meget ærefuld stilling, men den var vanskelig og farefuld. Det er ikke ufarligt at have en høj stilling. Ligesom uvejret lader den lille blomst i dalen uskadt, mens det rykker det statelige træ på bjergets top op med rod, således kan de, som har bevaret deres retskaffenhed i en beskeden stilling, blive trukket ned i afgrunden af de fristelser, der følger med verdslig fremgang og ære. Men Josefs karakter bestod både modgangens og medgangens prøve. Han udviste samme tro, da han stod i Faraos palads, som da han sad i fængselscellen. Han var stadig en fremmed i et hedensk land, og han var skilt fra sin slægt, der tilbad Gud; men han troede fuldt ud på, at Guds hånd havde ledet hans skridt, og i stadig tillid til Gud udførte han trofast de pligter, der fulgte med hans stilling. Gennem Josef henledtes kongens og Ægyptens stormænds opmærksomhed på den sande Gud, og skønt de stadig holdt fast ved deres afgudsdyrkelse, lærte de at respektere de principper, der åbenbares i det menneskes liv og karakter, som tilbeder Gud.