Till Shiloh Comes by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris [Morris, Gilbert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042000, FIC026000
ISBN: 9781441262394
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-08-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The task of building enough granaries to hold seven years’ worth of grain was monumental. Joseph put all of Pharaoh’s prisoners on the project, as well as every man throughout the land who was not otherwise employed. The work progressed rapidly, drawing Pharaoh’s intense interest as granaries sprouted like mushrooms all over the land. When the project was well under way, Joseph took him on a tour of the land, to Pharaoh’s great delight.

When they returned to the palace, Pharaoh turned to Joseph, his froglike face filled with pleasure. “You have done more than I expected, my friend. You are the friend of Pharaoh indeed, as well as his servant.”

“I trust I will always be both, Your Majesty.”

“I have been thinking of what I could do for you,” Pharaoh said, and a pixyish expression crossed his homely face. “And I have decided to do a great thing in your life.”

Joseph smiled, for Pharaoh always thought that everything he did was a great thing. “You must not do me any more honor, Your Majesty. You have already done too much.”

“Nonsense,” Pharaoh replied. “I’m not speaking of gold or titles or offices. I want to give you something better, something warm and soft and pleasurable. In short,” he laughed aloud and clapped Joseph on the shoulder, “I have decided to give you a wife.”

Joseph was not easily surprised, for the pharaoh was not a difficult man to figure out. In fact, he was barely a man, being very immature for his years, but Joseph was careful to keep the dignity of their relationship in place. The pharaoh might skip around and punch Joseph in the ribs and slap him on the shoulder, but Joseph always treated Pharaoh with the greatest respect.

“I am grateful for your thoughts,” Joseph said, “but marriage is out of the question for a time. You know how little time I am at home.”

“That’s right. You’re always out building things and talking to people, but a man can be busy and have a wife. I do.”

Joseph had to restrain a smile, for Pharaoh’s business was mostly ceremonial. His own was serious and was for the purpose of saving the empire. “I beg you do nothing hastily, Your Majesty.”

“Well,” Pharaoh said, somewhat disappointed, “we’ll wait … for a time, but it’s something you must have.”

“The time will come, I am sure.”

“There’s something else,” Pharaoh said, looking up into Joseph’s face quizzically. “You’ve taxed everybody in the land except the priesthood. Will you tax them?”

“No, I think not, Majesty. You don’t need any enemies among the priesthood. They are very powerful.”

Pharaoh seemed disappointed, but, as usual, he accepted Joseph’s decision. “Well, that may be so, but we’re going to have to control them … starting today.”

“Today, Majesty?”

“Yes. We’ll start at the top with the priest of On. Do you know him?”

“Slightly, sir.”

“He and his daughter are coming to the palace today. You may not think it’s wise to tax them, but I want you to scare them a bit.”

“And why is that, Your Majesty?”

“Oh, it’s good to keep the people afraid of you.

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