“Of myself I can do nothing: I can only interpret dreams by the inspiration of God.” Thus he was humble, and gave the glory to God. “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory“ (Ps. 113, 9).
The reward of virtue. Joseph had suffered for a long time, but his troubles came to an end at last, his patience and trust in God were richly rewarded, and he was fully compensated for all his past sufferings. Once his brothers tore his clothes from his back: now he is clad in a robe of silk. Once he was degraded to a state of slavery: now he is raised to the highest dignity. Once he was loaded with chains in prison: now he is distinguished by a chain of gold round his neck. Once he was dragged off to prison like the worst of criminals: now he is led through the streets in the king’s chariot, and all men bow before him. “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord” (Ps. 127, 4).
The Wisdom of Divine Providence is clearly to be seen in this story of Joseph’s abasement and exaltation. What were Almighty God’s intentions about Joseph ? He had signified by the dreams which Joseph had dreamt as a boy, that he would one day be a great lord, and that his brethren would bow down before him. Man did everything possible to hinder this exaltation. His brothers sold him as a slave on account of those very dreams. The merchants took him far away; Putiphar had him cast into prison like a criminal; the chief butler, who was deeply indebted to him, forgot all about him. Humanly speaking, there was no prospect of either his freedom or his honour being restored to him; much less of his becoming a great Lord. But God made everything which was apparently a misfortune and humiliation conduce step by step to his future exaltation. By being sold, he was taken to the very land where he was to be exalted. By
