Now, therefore, let the king provide a wise and industrious man [1] and make him ruler over the land of Egypt that he may appoint overseers over all the countries, and gather into barns the fifth part of the fruits during the seven fruitful years that shall now presently ensue, and let all the corn be laid up under Pharao’ s hands and be reserved in the cities.”
This counsel was pleasing to Pharao, and he said to his courtiers: “Can we find such another man that is full of the Spirit of God?”[2] Then the king said to Joseph: “Can I find one wiser and like unto thee? Thou shalt be over my house, and at the commandment of thy mouth all the people shall obey. Only in the kingly throne[3] will I be above thee.”
Then the king, having made Joseph ruler over all the land of Egypt, took his ring[4] from his own hand, and placed it on that of Joseph. He also put on him a robe of silk, and a chain of gold around his neck, and caused him to be seated in a triumphal chariot next to his own, the crier proclaiming that all should bow their knee[5] before him and that they should know he was made governor over the whole land of Egypt (Fig. 15). He also changed his name, and called him saviour[6] of the world. Joseph was thirty years[7] old when he was made ruler of Egypt.
COMMENTARY.
Humility. When Pharao said to Joseph: “I have heard that thou art very wise at interpreting dreams”, Joseph replied that it was God alone who could give the interpretation. This was as much as to say:
- ↑ Industrious man. A prudent, active man who would be capable of carrying out such a great work.
- ↑ Spirit of God. From the wonderful gift of interpreting the dream, Pharao knew that the Spirit of God was with Joseph.
- ↑ Kingly throne. Kings sit on a throne, and a throne, therefore, is the type of kingly power. The king meant: I will remain king, but next to me yours shall be the highest authority in Egypt, and you shall govern the country in my name. Joseph was, in fact, made the Viceroy or Prime Minister of the king.
- ↑ His ring. Pharao gave Joseph his signet-ring, as a sign that Joseph was empowered to give orders in the king’s name, and to seal them with the king's seal.
- ↑ Bow their knee. Pharao commanded that all men should bow the knee to Joseph, as a test whether they were ready to obey and honour him.
- ↑ Saviour. Because he had saved Egypt and the neighbouring countries from the horrors of famine.
- ↑ Thirty years. Joseph was now thirty years old. He was sixteen when his brothers sold him: therefore, he had been a slave for fourteen years, three or four of which had been passed in prison.
