#28. Joseph's Exaltation.#--This came with a leap. The story is familiar. But in studying the lesson, let the student not fail to read it once more, most carefully. If it seem somewhat incredible that Pharaoh should make a prime minister out of a prisoner at one stroke, bear in mind that in the East they do not do things in Western fashion. Even to this day
"East is East, and West is West, And never the two shall meet."
The writer during his boyhood knew of a case illustrating Eastern methods, which took place when he was living in his home in Constantinople. The Sultan had a dentist. One day while his dentist was off hunting, the Sultan got a toothache. He sent for his dentist, but could not get him. His courtiers then got hold of a poor dentist who could hardly make his living. He went to the palace and extracted the offending molar. At once the Sultan deposed his regular dentist, put this man in his place, created him a pasha, or peer of the realm, gave him a large stipend, and a palace in the city and another in the country. Thus at one stroke the man passed from obscurity to prominence, and from poverty to wealth. This is the manner of the East.
Now we begin to see God's plans working out manifestly. Yet all this time his brothers think that their plans have succeeded and that the "dreamer's" career is ended. No, the "dreamer's" career has just begun.
#29. The Seven Years of Plenty.#--Now follow years of great activity, and of much honor for the former prisoner. Up and down the land he goes and gathers grain in untold quantities. As he goes they all cry, "Bow the knee," and prostrate themselves in the dust before him. At seventeen years of age he was sold by his brothers. For thirteen years he was slave, or prisoner. Now for seven years he is prime minister. Yet all the time Jacob thinks that his boy is dead. How little did the old Patriarch suspect that during all these weary years God was working out his blessed plans for his people.
#30. The Seven Years of Famine.#--Once more Joseph and his brothers stand face to face. The last they saw of him was when they heard his bitter cry, and turned a deaf ear to his entreaty. Twenty years have made a great change in him and they do not recognize him. His treatment of them may seem harsh, but he knew what kind of natures theirs were, and that to do them good he must first humiliate them. Out of kindness he was stern. To mend them and their ways he must first break them.