Topical Bible: Rulers: Righteous: Joseph, in How he Conducted the Affairs of Egypt

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Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, stands as a paragon of righteous leadership in the biblical narrative. His journey from a Hebrew slave to the vizier of Egypt is a testament to divine providence and wise governance. Joseph's account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37-50.

Divine Appointment and Rise to Power

Joseph's rise to power in Egypt was marked by a series of divinely orchestrated events. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph found himself in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Despite false accusations and imprisonment, Joseph's ability to interpret dreams brought him to the attention of Pharaoh. When Pharaoh was troubled by dreams that none could interpret, Joseph was summoned. He attributed his gift to God, saying, "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires" (Genesis 41:16).

Impressed by Joseph's interpretation and his proposal to save Egypt from the impending famine, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command. "You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40).

Administrative Wisdom and Economic Strategy

Joseph's administration was characterized by foresight and strategic planning. He implemented a nationwide program to store surplus grain during the seven years of abundance, as he had advised Pharaoh. "During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. So Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities" (Genesis 41:47-48).

His economic strategy not only preserved Egypt during the subsequent seven years of famine but also positioned the nation as a supplier to surrounding regions. Joseph's policies ensured that "there was grain in Egypt" (Genesis 41:54), and people from all over came to buy grain, including his own family from Canaan.

Moral Integrity and Compassionate Leadership

Joseph's leadership was marked by moral integrity and compassion. Despite the power he wielded, he remained humble and attributed his success to God's guidance. His encounter with his brothers, who had once betrayed him, revealed his forgiving nature. When he finally revealed his identity to them, he said, "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you" (Genesis 45:5).

Joseph's actions during the famine demonstrated his concern for the welfare of the people. He did not exploit his position for personal gain but instead worked to ensure the survival and prosperity of both Egyptians and foreigners alike.

Legacy of Righteous Rule

Joseph's tenure as a ruler in Egypt is a profound example of righteous governance. His ability to balance administrative acumen with moral integrity set a standard for leadership that is both effective and compassionate. His life and work underscore the biblical principle that true wisdom and success come from reliance on God and adherence to His ways.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 41:37-57
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Their Rulers Of Thousands, And Rulers Of Hundreds ... Reigned Josiah; He Was Both Righteous
And Religious. ... About Aristobulus; As Also Concerning Joseph And Mariamne ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Book of Enoch
... and rest is not won till the evil angels and the wicked rulers are cast ... is shown
a place in the far west where the souls of the righteous dead are ... [79] Joseph. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... II; Constantius (337-361), taking the East, including Egypt. ... should ask him for any
money, he should see to ... dangers are brought upon public affairs; but that ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... overpowered by my regret, pardon this most righteous of all ... joined in his assault,
the evil rulers of the ... young furnisher of corn, and second Joseph: though of ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Of Civil Government.
... 4). Wherefore, if princes and other rulers know that ... saith unto the wicked, Thou
art righteous; him shall ... Jehoshaphat, and other holy kings, Joseph also, and ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... when they came out from the land of Egypt, and the ... Wherefore He saith, 'As by one
man's disobedience, many were ... of one, shall many be made righteous'[98] (Rom.5 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... in North Africa, there occurred in Egypt and Palestine a ... And he conferred by letter
about this disputed question, not ... also with most of the other rulers of the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... Justinian I, the greatest of all the rulers of the ... uncle Justin I((518-527); but
he had, from ... be attributed the direction of ecclesiastical affairs from the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... with their author for these words and deeds of yours before Christ the righteous
judge. Gen. i. 27 c25. But now let us go on to discuss what he writes further ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /