30. A New World of Languages!

30. A New World of Languages! “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13) That evening, Potiphar held a special banquet and invited the old man who had worked hard, his wife who was his sister, and Joseph. At the banquet, Potiphar rewarded the old man with a large sum of money for his diligent service as a steward. He also asked Joseph to handle his duties as well as the old man had, instructing him to report any significant issues to him but to make decisions on his own for other matters. For ambiguous or urgent issues, Joseph was to consult with Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar joked that except for his wife, he entrusted everything to Joseph, implying that the household’s prosperity was in Joseph’s hands. This evening banquet was indeed a meaningful event for Joseph. When Joseph was sold into slavery, he thought his life was over. However, meeting the old man unexpectedly prepared and paved the way for something greater. Now, Joseph was no longer a slave but a respectable person. Although his current status couldn’t compare to his home in Canaan, the role of steward was a position of salvation that rescued him from slavery. After taking on the role of steward, Joseph maintained all the existing methods the old man had used, comprehensively understanding and managing everything. He ensured that everything was operating effectively. Additionally, Joseph applied his studies to practical work, becoming knowledgeable in various fields in Egypt. Potiphar’s wife was always pleased with Joseph’s meticulous and error-free handling of his duties, often reporting this to her husband. As the household became more organized, Joseph found himself with more free time, which he used to study and learn about various subjects. Another person who was observing Joseph was General Potiphar. When he first met Joseph, he was just a slave in the market, unnoticed by anyone except those looking for slaves. However, Potiphar noticed that the princess’s eyes were drawn to Joseph, indicating that her heart was already captivated by him, despite him being a slave. Potiphar could not speak of this to anyone, as it was unthinkable for the princess of Egypt to be infatuated with a slave from Canaan. During Potiphar’s childhood, Egypt was politically unstable. The Egyptian dynasty began around 3000 BC when Menes established the capital at Memphis near the Nile Delta. The dynasty continued until it was conquered by Alexander the Great around 322 BC. During the 3rd dynasty, Egyptian culture began to mature, known as the Pyramid Age, where pyramids were built as palaces for the kings after their deaths. In the 4th dynasty, the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, were constructed. The 5th dynasty worshipped the sun god Ra and Osiris, the god of the dead. By the 6th dynasty, decentralization accelerated, leading to chaos throughout Egypt. This period saw philosophical reflections on the fleeting nature of dynasties. Recently, the struggle between Heracleopolis and Thebes ended with Thebes’ victory, establishing the 12th dynasty, known as the Middle Kingdom, considered the classical golden age of Egyptian history. Although Palestine and Syria were culturally influenced by Egypt, they were not politically controlled by it. Despite cultural flourishing, the political power of the 12th dynasty weakened, and the Hyksos, a Semitic people, expanded their influence, eventually conquering Egypt. The previous dynasties had strong royal authority, leading to a rigid society. However, the Hyksos implemented a policy of freedom, allowing people to live as they wished as long as they did not threaten the royal authority. This era enjoyed unprecedented freedom, making the Hyksos’ rule favorable. Marriage policies also changed. Previously, only those suitable for royal connections could marry into the royal family, but the Hyksos’ policy of freedom changed this completely within a few decades.