Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

meet it. There were none among the king's officers of state so well
qualified to conduct the affairs of the nation at this crisis. "Can we
find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" said
the king to his counselors.
From Prisoner to Prime Minister
Then the astonishing announcement came to Joseph,
"'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as
discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, all my
people shall be ruled and according to your word; only in regard to
the throne will I be greater than you.'" ... "Then Pharaoh took his
ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in
garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he
had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out
before him, 'Bow the knee!'"
From the dungeon, Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the
land of Egypt, a position of high honor, yet surrounded with peril.
One cannot stand on a lofty height without danger. The tempest
leaves the lowly flower of the valley unharmed while it uproots the
stately tree on the mountaintop--so those who have maintained their
integrity in humble life may be dragged down by the temptations
that come with worldly success and honor. But Joseph's character
bore the test of adversity and prosperity alike. He was a stranger in a
heathen land, separated from his family, but he fully believed that
the divine hand had directed his life. In constant reliance on God he
faithfully carried out the duties of his position. The attention of the
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