{"id":"01KFXVBCXAK1007M6MXCM9NXZT","cid":"bafkreifocycm2y7dawh4flhy4wzfxlvorsr3u7ukry6uwds4uimy4lnhni","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":458,"extracted_at":"2026-01-26T19:09:07.713Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KFXVA454RTKCJEQJMP0QKNKY","start_line":437,"text":" 310\tIt often happens that good fortune makes men blind to their former poor condition. They frequently imagine that they are the cause of their own prosperity, and have no reason to acknowledge their obligation to a merciful Providence. History abounds in proofs of the ease with which wonderful success makes people cease to practise the sterling virtues which had characterized the early period of their career. Alexander the Great was most exemplary and virtuous when a youth, and remained so until his brilliant achievements in India. Then he became intemperate, ceased to exercise any control over himself, and died in revelry. His great empire faded away like a mist in May. The young Napoleon of Marengo was a far purer character than when, later, he planned the Russian campaign, and expected to have all Europe at his feet.\n\n\n 311\t51\n 312\t\n 313\tThe very first act of Jacob on leaving his old home in Hebron for his journey to Egypt proves that the wonderful news of Joseph being yet alive, and the invitation of the King of Egypt for him and the household to go to his country and settle down in the best of the land, did not elevate him a particle. He was just as humble as ever, and knew well that all this good-fortune had come to him through the divine mercy. Besides, he was not willing to keep this matter secret; he wanted to make it public. He therefore, after beginning the journey, took his family to Beersheba, where he offered sacrifices to God. His pause for worship proved him to be the true servant; otherwise he would have hurried off in great haste to accept the flattering offer of Pharaoh. The deliberation, the absence of all self-confidence, are beautiful examples of what the pure and noble character ought to be and to possess when sudden prosperity comes.\n 314\t\n 315\tThe richest country in Egypt was Go-\n\n\n 316\t52\n 317\t\n 318\tshen. It is that part of the land which lies between the eastern mouth of the Nile and the frontier of Palestine, and extends between the Mediterranean coast and the neighborhood of the Red Sea. Judah was sent on in advance to inform Joseph of the coming of Jacob and the family. Joseph let no time elapse before he made ready his chariot, and started off to greet his long-absent father. No happier meeting between father and son ever took place. Jacob was so overjoyed that he forgot all about Pharaoh’s invitation, and wanted to die. The fact that Joseph was alive, and not that he was the Governor of all Egypt, was the occasion of his joy.\n 319\t\n 320\tThere was something very peculiar in the plan which Joseph adopted of introducing the family to the King. He did not take his father first into the King’s presence, but five of his brethren. Pharaoh asked them what their occupation was, and when they told him that they were shepherds he assigned to them the\n\n\n 321\t53\n 322\tplentiful land of Goshen. He also gave special directions to Joseph as to placing the family in the “best of the land,” and appointing proper members of the household as rulers over the King’s cattle.\n 323\t\n 324\tWe now come to the culmination of this eventful history—Joseph leads his father into Pharaoh’s presence. There certainly never was so singular an audience between a great King and an humble old man. No sooner was Jacob before Pharaoh than he pronounced a blessing upon him. Pharaoh was struck with Jacob’s great age, and his question was, “How old art thou?” Every word which Jacob spoke was, like all the rest of his actions, plain, simple, humble. He said that his life was a pilgrimage; that it had lasted already one hundred and thirty years; that his days had been few and evil; and that he had but lived as long as his fathers. He then blessed Pharaoh again, and his affectionate son Joseph led him out of the King’s audience-hall.\n","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KFXVAZH7Y2HHMVZVA7YV0Q4N","peer_label":"JACOB BEFORE PHARAOH","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KFXT0KM64XT6K8W52TDEE0YS","peer_label":"More Classics","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"}],"ver":1,"created_at":"2026-01-26T19:09:07.994Z","ts":"2026-01-26T19:09:07.994Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}