Passaic City record., 1901-10-19
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 20.

Golden Text, I. Sam. ILL.,, 80 - Memory
Verses, 39-41 Commentary on the
Days Lesson.
S3 "Unto his servants" The kings of
ancient Egypt were assisted in the man
agement Of state affairs by the advice of
he most distinguished members of the
oriestly order; and, accordingly, before
admitting Joseph to the new and extraor-
1indry office that was to be created, those
ministers were consulted as to the expe-
iiency and propriety of the appointment.
Such one as this" Doubtless the his
tory of Joseph had been told Pharaoh
and his servants, and they saw that his
long experience with Potiphar as well as
b % or int UsdSm DIo1ossd wDod @ espffsy s it
Of God is" Here is an acknowledgement
of the existence and power of the true
Sod. Joseph had expressly told Pharaoh
". l6) that the Interpretation of the
dreams was not in him, but that God
would give the answer; and now the king
attributes ;Joseph,s wisdom to the spirit
Of God in him. Such an one would have
wisdom, could be trusted and would be
attended with the blessing of God.
80. Discreet" Intelligent, having a
clear insight into matters. "Wise." This
denotes a capacity to devise and employ
proper measures to gain the ends desired.
40. Thou This was very unexpected
When Joseph was counseling the king to
appoint a man to gather grain, he could
not have had the remotest idea that he
would be the man; and the servants who
were so very willing that Joseph's plan
should be carried out ". 81 are silent
now, when Josseph's name is proposed;
before Pharaoh and God honored Joseph
in the sight of Pharaoh. A little time ago
he was traduced as one of the vilest Of
men; now the king honors him as a man
of Incompatible worth. We may learn
from this not to be greatly detected by
reproaech, nor pulled up by praise. The
best of men have passed through good re-
port and evil report.
Al. "Over all the land" Behold one
hour hath changed his fetters into chain
of gold, his rags into fine linen, his ocks
into chariot, his Jail into a palace.
40. "Took off his ring" This was
token of the highest dignity and also an
instrument of power, for it undoubtedly
it was affixed. Thus Joseph was given
chief authority in Egypt. People in the
East do not sign their names. They have
seals in which their names and titles are
engraven, and with which they make an
impression with thick ink. on all occasions
for which we use the signature. Fine
linen" A costly fabric, worn by persons
ceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness,
and has been sold for twice its weight in
gold. "a gold chain" This was badge
ST high office; an emblem of civil authority.
43. ''The second chariot" The second
state chariot in the public procession.
Herodotus tells us that Egypt was noted
for chariots, both for peaceful and war.
like purposes. "They cried before him"
That is, the kings heralds, whose duty it
was to go before and announce the coming
of the royal procession. "Bow the knee"
The heralds cried "Abreck" This is
supposed to be an Egyptian word, and its
meaning is not definitely known. 1t may
ice" Others think it means, Cast your
selves down-do homage" "Set him over
all the land" (R. v)) This high position
to which Joseph was exalted was q full
recompense for his years of patient suffer-
ing. 1t was also proof of the equity and
goodness of God, and it should be an en-
couragement to all good people to trust
God.
A. 'T am Pharaoh" This was the
same as though he had said 1 am king.
for Pharaoh" was the common title Of
Joseph's authority was to be absolute and
universal. Thus did God put honor upon
this youth. Joseph had been tested and
had stood the test, His integrity, cour-
God had been thoroughly tried.
40. "Zaphnath-paaneah." This name
has had various interpretations, some OF
which are as follows: "Preserver of ife,"
"The revealer of secrets" 'The treasury
of glorious comfort" Governor of the
the world" Clarke thinks it was merely
can Egyptian epithet, designating the
office to which he was now raised" CASE
nath." His naturalization was completed
by this alliance with family of high dis
tinction. On being founded by an Arab
colony Poti-phera, like Jethro, priest of
Midian, might be worshiper of the true
God; and thus Joseph, piious man, will
idolatress for worldly ends. "On:" Or
Heliopolis, meaning "sun" or eight"
Called Aven (Ezek. 80: ~, and also Beth
shemesh. Jer 43: l3. cover all the land"
No. doubt for the building Of granaries
and appointing proper officers to receive
the corn in every place.
46. Thirty years old" This was the
age which was appointed for entering the
priesthood. and we will remember that
this was the age when the New Testament
and mercy. STOOD before Pharaoh"
This means that he was admitted into
the immediate presence of the king, and
had his unlimited confidence. Among the
1aSideiS piihCSo tiC pilNiCSC VI Solhihs "
their seat and standing in their presence
was granted only to the highest ',vorites.
Joseph though SO suddenly, and remarka-
bly, raised is not puffed with pride.
Al. "By handfuls." A singular express
sion. alluding not only to. the luxuriance
of the crop, but the practice of the, reap
ers grasping the grain in their hands.
This probably refers principally to rice, as
it grows in tufts, great number. of stalks
proceeding from the same seed. There
was not place in the then known world
so well adapted to the production of grain
4S. "Gathered up" This was accord
ing to the advice given Pharaoh ". 34),
that a fifth part be gathered up. This was
the Government tax, or was bought up at
low prices such as would then prevail.
Doubtless the people also stored up grain
for themselves, but according to their
faith, which was much less than Joseph's.:
40. ''Joseph gathered, The king and
his subjects owed their lives to Joseph.
Through the blessing of God he was able
to supply not only the Egyptians, but