IN making a careful study of the great Biblical characters, one finds it interesting to note that those who enlisted on the side of righteousness enlisted on the winning side. This was not always apparent to the looker-on; in fact, to the material, uninspired thought, those struggling toward the high goal of goodness appeared to be losing. Yet to-day, as we dispassionately ponder their experiences, it is easy to see how even in the midst of their trials they were winning.
Joseph, for example, when his brothers sold him into Egypt, seemed to be defeated. Again, after he had attained a certain degree of prosperity, he was unjustly thrust into prison; yet Joseph was not really losing, for he was learning more about God. We read in Genesis, "The Lord was with Joseph." In spite of the cruelty of his brothers and the impure designs of Potiphar's wife, he was bringing every thought into obedience to God: the human was giving place to the divine in his consciousness. The false thinking of others could not prevent Joseph from demonstrating his true selfhood as shown in brotherly love, forgiveness, and purity. During this period of captivity many may have pointed the finger of scorn at him—a mere shepherd lad, a foreigner, a prisoner; but, all the while, Joseph was winning! In later years, by preventing a national famine, he became the most useful man of his day. Through his demonstration of righteousness not only was Egypt saved from starvation, but the surrounding nations, including Joseph's own family, were also protected and preserved.
After forty years of self-discipline in the land of Midian, Moses was inspired of God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. When standing in the court of Pharaoh, pleading the cause of his people, he was rebuffed and put to shame by the insolence and dishonesty of the king, not once, but over and over again. It would not seem strange, therefore, if those who were looking on with no spiritual vision thought that Moses had failed; but every step of the way he was winning, because he was acting under God's direction. For this reason he not only freed his brethren from bondage, but received the great revelation of God's law on Mount Sinai.
