Rabbi Ishmael said: Ten times did the sons of Jacob say to Joseph, "thy servant, our father." Joseph heard the word, and was silent. Silence gives consent; therefore were ten years deducted from his life. Joseph heard that his father had come to the border of Egypt, and he took all the men who were with him, and he went to meet his father. All the people go forth to meet the king, but the king does not go forth to meet any man. But this teaches thee that the father of a man is like his king.
Rabbi Phineas said: The Holy Spirit rested on Joseph from his youth; and it led him in all matters of wisdom like a shepherd who leads his flock, as it is said, "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, thou that sittest upon the cherubim" (Ps. 80:1). In all his wisdom a certain woman enticed (him), and when he wished to accustom himself to sin, he saw the image of his father, and repented concerning it.