Genesis 41:39-44
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
After what no doubt seemed like an eternity of affliction, things finally started to go well for Joseph. He had been given power above all but Pharaoh himself and was responsible for determining the future of both the nation of Egypt and her people. In light of such tremendous blessing, it would be easy to forget that Egypt was never supposed to be home for a Jew. Joseph didn’t forget, and even though he is basically running the show, he still refers to it as the “land of affliction” (Genesis 41:52). This is why Joseph asked the Hebrews to take his bones out of Egypt when they left (Genesis 50:25). Earth is just a stop along the way for all of humanity. No matter how richly the Lord may bless you here and no matter how good people or circumstances may be to you here, never forget that this is not home. Even on the best days, this is just another land of affliction. “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).
A Tried Stone 