The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-10-03
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
international Lesson Comments Fee
October s.
Subject Joseph Sold Into Egypt, Ges. xSxviL.
i2.36-GoIden Text, Acts viii. o-Mem.
ory Verses, z6-z8-commentary
on the Days Lesson.

II. "In shechem." .shechem was about
pastures there (33: l9) and had dug well.
13. Send thee unto them" Jacob no
doubt had some anxiety about his sons,
because he had removed from Shechem
on account OF the sins they had committed
there; he therefore decides to send Joseph
to learn of their welfare He could trust
Joseph, and be had no thought that his
brothers would wish to injure him.
ID. go, pray thee" Joseph's mission
to this remote and dangerous country is
proof that Jacob did not treat him with
too much indulgence, and that he did not
keep him home from any feelings of ten
derness. Lions, bears, panthers and
wolves we're common in Palestine in those
days.
IL. "Dothan." This was about fifteen
or twenty miles north of Shechem.
Is. when they saw him" Their en-
vious feelings rose up. Their occupation
gave them abundant time for gloomy med
itation and for conversation. They doubt
less brooded over their relations to Joseph,
cherished revenge, and encouraged one an
other in their enmity. 'Conspired," Cum
ningly plotted. "To slay him." This
had they fully carried out their purposes.
10. This dreamer cometh." Master
of dreams" r. V. margin. This was a
form of speech conveying great contempt.
20. And we will slay." From envy and
malice. they proceeded to conspire against
the life of their brother, and then con-
trived a lie to impose upon their own
father.
81. "And Reuben-said." Reuben of
all the brothers had the greatest reason to
be jealous of Joseph, for, as the first born
he was entitled to many of the favors
which were being conferred upon Joseph;
yet Reuben proves to be his best friend.
o. "Shed no blood" He did not dare
to shed his brothers blood neither did he
dare manfully to save him. Reubens real
design was to find some way to restore
Joseph to his father.
23 "Out of his coat" This probably
was done that If ever found, he might not
be discerned as person of distinction,
and hence no inquiry would be made con-
cerning him. They also took the coat off
to show to their father.
"a Unto pit" One of the many res
ervoirs excavated out of the solid rock or
built of stones and plastered for the pur-
pose of holding rain water. They were
bottle-shaped, so that it was almost i'm
possible to escape. There are thousands
of such cisterns in upper Galilee; they
prove how dependent the population was
upon rain water. WAS empty" He was
safe from drowning: but was left to die
men they must have been!
25 "Sat down to eat" They sat down
to joyous feast, eating and drinking the
very dainties he had brought them, while
they left him to die. 1t was at this time
(Gen. AZ: 2l) that they "saw the anguish
they would not hear Reuben was not
partaker of that meal, but was off proba-
bly, devising measures for the rescue of
his brother. 1t is impossible that mere
envy at his dreams, his gaudy dress. or
the ,partiality of their father could have
al f,,1 ,,o1ra
Their hatred of Joseph must have been
produced by dislike to his piety. on ac-
count of which they saw they could never
be at ease until they had rid themselves
of his hated presence. This is the true So
luton OF the mystery; Just as it was in the
ties" Called also Midianites Tvs. 2S 36).
probably because the caravan consisted OF
both of these. The general meaning is
Arabian merchants ''From Gilead." A
country east of the Jordan. "Spicery."
Gilead was famous in early times for its
ii. Balm" This was a very precious
gum obtained from the balsam tree, al.
most peculiar to Palestine. 'To Egypt"
Egypt would be great market for spices
on account of their being used "for incense
in the temples, and for embalming the
dead"
%. Judah" The fourth son of Jacob.
His name means praise of the Lord"
"What profit" What profit is there in
sin at the best?
81 let us sell him." The sight of
these travelling merchants gave a sudden
turn to the views OF the c,onspirators; for
having no wish to commit greater de-
gree Of crime than was necessary for the
accomplishment OF their end, they readily
approved of Judah's suggestion to dispose
of their obnoxious brother as slave
%: '"Sold Joseph" Acting impulsively
on Judah's advice they had their poor vic
tim ready by the time the merchants
reached them. Twenty pieces of silver"
The money was probably in rings. or
pieces, and silver is always mentioned in
the records of that early age. before gold,
on account of the rarity Of the latter. In
those DAYS money was weighed and not
coined. Twenty pieces (shekels) Of silver
was the price of slave under twenty
years of age LEV. 81: 81, and according
to the Oxford Bible was equivalent to
Sl1. .2S.
90. Reuben returned" Reuben had
planned to rescue Joseph and send him
home safelv as soon as his brothers had
left him. But the thing was Of God, who
had designed that Joseph's deliverance
should be accomplished by other means
than his. "Rent his clothes" See on v.
a.
30. WHITTIER shall 60" Reuben was
sponsible for Josephs safety.
81 KILLED kid" They dared not tell
the truth. therefore they make lies their
refuge. How true it is that what we sow
we reap! Jacob had deceived his father,
and now in turn he is deceived by his.
sons.
80, "Sent the coat" All this was done
and said by their servant whom they had
sent.
a. "Rent-saekcloth" The common
signs OF Oriental mourning. A rent is
made in the skirt more OF less according
to the afflicted feelings of the mourner,
and coarse, rough piece of black sack
cloth or camel's hair cloth is wound
around the waist. MANY days" 1t was
twenty-five years before he saw him again.
35. Gan his daughters" Dinah is the
only daughter of Jacob that we know
about; his daughters 'in-law are probably
included here.
SO. Captain of the guard" His busi-
ness was to take care Of the royal person
sad e.~cute his will.
AS USUAL. sHE KNEW