Power Controls Knowledge

Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done... [Exodus 1.8]

It is remarkable that the new king in Egypt did not know about Joseph. The very salvation of Egypt rested in the wisdom and leadership of Joseph. How did this happen?

I suppose there could be several theories about how Egypt forgot Joseph, but it is generally reliable to remain mindful of human nature when trying to discern how things happened. Because of the hierarchy of Egyptian government, it seems entirely possible that while Joseph accomplished great things on behalf of Egypt, he was still only #2 in command. That means for proper preservation of the details of Egypt's deliverance from the famine that #1 (the reigning Pharaoh) would have to endorse it. Pharaohs however weren't known for their humility as the Great Pyramids of Egypt attest. So, as details of the famine would eventually be chronicled for posterity, there remains little doubt that the credit for Egypt's salvation would have been attributed to the reigning Pharaoh, not Joseph.

And so, a discrepancy is born between secular history in Egypt and Jewish history. This would not be the last time that recorded history was altered to preserve power and control.

Father, help us to see how easily power controls knowledge. May we be found staying true to Your Word and wary of the world's knowledge (even as it tries to explain Bible events).