Whatever the truth, Joseph had gone to Egypt and he had found favor in
the eyes of the Hyksos Kings who had just conquered the country and who
used this bright young man to assist them in administering their new
possessions.
As soon as the hungry Hebrews appeared before Joseph with their request
for help, Joseph recognized his relatives.
But he was a generous man and all meanness of spirit was foreign to his
soul.
He did not revenge himself upon those who had wronged him but he gave
them wheat and allowed them to settle in the land of Egypt, they and
their children and their flocks--and be happy.
For many years the Hebrews (who are more commonly known as the Jews)
lived in the eastern part of their adopted country and all was well
with them.
Then a great change took place.
A sudden revolution deprived the Hyksos Kings of their power and forced
them to leave the country. Once more the Egyptians were masters within
their own house. They had never liked foreigners any too well. Three
hundred years of oppression by a band of Arab shepherds had greatly
increased this feeling of loathing for everything that was alien.
[Illustration: MOSES.]
The Jews on the other hand had been on friendly terms with the Hyksos
who were related to them by blood and by race.
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