The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-05
Sabbath-SehOoI Lesson.
OCTOBER 13, 1901
BY John r. Whitney-Copyright, 1901.
Joseph in Prison-Gensis xxx.
20 to 4O.16

| 50 10 4OilOs
Golden Text-But the Lord was with Joseph,
ana showed Him mercy.-Gen. xxx, q.
| Last week, we began to examine some of
the links in the chain of events which finally
placed Joseph on the throne of Egypt. In
thls lesson We extend this examination to
other links.
When his brothers had cast him into a pit,
they cared but little whether he died there
Dy the lingering death of starvation or not
When they did it, however, Reuben hoped to
Illustrate their design, but was prevented by
the proposal Of Judah, in his absence, that he
be sold as slave. This would not only rid
them OF his presence, but it would put money
into their hands.
But they had no idea whatever that in fol-
lowing this suggestion, they were forging a
link in the chain which would eventually lift
them. and all their households, out of starva-
tion--from the very death which they in
tended that he should die. To them it was
simply an incident in their nomadic life by
which they were profted for the moment and
which they could then forget as matter Of
no Importance.
To Joseph, their brother, and to Jacob. their
Iather, however, all of these things had a
very dlherent aspect. Both were over
Wnelmed with sorrow which they could not
understand Why they should have been
so dealt with must have seemed very myste-
rious.
So it is with us ALL Events occur every
uay II our lives, Of which some take but a
momentary and superficial notice unless thew
Drlng some immediate profit or pleasure. To
otners they are mysterious providenees
which can only be silenced and sadly endured
GaJ1 Gn5t time apples Its healing balm. Even
God own children forget time ana time
again that whosoever "dwelleth in the secret
place OF the most high shal! abide under the
shadow OF the almighty Psa. xci, u, and
tnat IL IS he who ''ruleth in the kingdom of
men" (Dan. iv., ID, and not men themselves
But in the end-as we shall see in the case
OF Joseph-all Of the events of life whether
we look at them carelessly and as of no
Iry ot,1
providences," are simply and always the
manifestations of Gods wisdom and love
working out his plans of grace and mercy
on our behalf When the chain is cornpleted
II Will be found that every link is of pure
gold, and that not one is imperfect or un-
necessary. In the case of Joseph, however
only necessary in order that he might be
unnecessary.
In the case of Joseph, however, these ''mys-
terious proyidences' were not only necessary
in order that he might be exalted to be a
prince and savior (Acts vi, 81, but they
were necessary to make his life before that
exatation, striking illustration Of some Of
the foundation facts of our redemption.
For when the son of God was made flesh
and dwelt among u.s. (John j., ID we are
told ''it became him for whom are all things,
in bringing many sons unto glory, to make
the captain of their salvation perfect
find him sojourning among men during the
all of their experiences, and sympathizing
with all Of their sorrows before he was
exalted "to give repentance to Israel, and
forgiveness Of sins" (Acts v, 81.
through sufferings' (Heb. H., 10). Hence we
This is the special phase of truth-the prep
aration OF Jesus Of Nazareth for his work as
our RECOMMENDATION Is illustrated in the in
cidents of this lesson. They are the incidents
of Joseph's experience in Egypt. They tell US
how he was prepared for the position he was
to fill when seated upon the throne. Our
consideration of them. therefore, must cover
much more than the few verses designated
for our study. For his life in Egypt before
he was exalted to the throne probably extend
over at least thirteen years. Compare xxxvii.,
continued rejection. During them all he
was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with
grief" lisa. liii, 81
When the merchantmen who had bought
him reached Egypt, Joseph was sold as a
servant" or slave (Psa- cv., I'D. But it was
not to any Of the tradesmen of Egypt, or to
a husbandman or to any skilled artisan, or
even to the king. 1t was "Potiphar an Off
Ger of Pharaoh, captain of the guard" who
''bought him OF the hands of the Ishmaelites."
(verse u This is very important consid-
Grafton
In the margin of xxxvii., SO. the Office
which Potiphar held is said to be that Of
"chief marshal, chief of the slaughtermen,
or exeeutioners." This was very high Of
guard" originally signified cook (Smith' s
slaughterer or butcher
(Youngl. Whilst the term thus originally
referred probably, only to domestic position
in the kings household as its chief purveyor, !
1t afterwards became applied to civil func- |
TONS For we find that the holder of the |
position belonged to the kings body guard |
and was military man of high rank. Thus /
who commanded the forces of t
when he came against Je- |
rusalem, was designated by the same title as
Potiphar I'll. Kings, XIV, 81, and Arioch, in !
he time of Daniel, filled the same position in /
Babylon (Dan. H., 14).
Thus "it appears that the administration |
If the penal law, in all its forms, belonged to
military men, and particularly to the guard
Immediately about the person of the king /
whose chief might therefore, we'll be
,alled ''the chief of the exeeutioners' (Kittol, |
,r the chief executor of the law 1t was,
therefore,, incumbent upon Potiphar to be per-
ectly familiar with the laws and their bear
ng upon every individual He could not |
bass sentence upon the guilty, but it was his I
iuty-as in the case of Arioch-to see that |
properly and promptly executed. In the /
meantime, he was the custodian Of the ac-
FUSED, 'and put him into the prison." as he
lid Joseph. (xxxix., 20).
The prison in which the accused were con-
ined was generally an apartment in his own /
house. or adjunct to it. The class of /
people principally committed to him were /
the kings prisoners" or such as were at
ached to the kings hourt-political offenders.
After casting such prisoners into the prison,
le entrusted their personal oversight to an |
,ther officer called "the keeper of the prison
,xxxix., I'D This officer was not usually
appointed to his position, but bought it,
Is it was capable Of being made very lucra-
i've For, as the government made but |
title OF no provision for the comfort of those
lnder his charge, and as they were gener-
lily persons of high rank and some wealth,
t was easy to obtain from them large sums
or the slightest privileges.
Such appear to have been the conditions of /
ootiphar's household when Joseph entered 1t
IS servant. His duties, apparently, were |
confined to the care of the house and grounds /
II his master and 1t was not long before his |
integrity and faithfulness commanded atten {