The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-02
DEATH OF JOSEPH.
(Gen. l: 15-26.)

Gontext.-The brethren of Joseph after tha affecting interview described in last lesson, reti rned to Canaan to report to thetr father all that they had seen and heard. They took with them wagons for the rcrncva! of Jaccb and sufficient corn Tor fmme di9te use. On arriving in Egypt the patriarch was presented to fharaoh and by him assigned to Goshen as had he.n previously arranged. The events of the years following are not re- coroeo-probably there was no occurrence deserving special mention. Ten years atter hts migration Jacob took sick, and, aIter blessing his sons and giving in- struction concerning his burial, departed thls life. The body was embalmsd and then born, with reverent pomp to Ca- naan and laid in the cave of Macpeiah which Abraham purchased for a burying te Egypt, Joseph and his brethren and lne1r fpmerous escort. No one seemed Nsposed to change residence from the land which had Furnished hospItable re-
 pfstrust. -(verse l5.)-The changed con- ditions awakened serious approximations. The men who had dealt so meanly with theit youngest brother years before could thoughts of their ill-desert. Whatever ot undeserved kindness had been mag nanimously shown toward them was in- turpreted as the result of a sons regard for his father. and for the family which that father represented. But now that Jacob was dead and buried they assumed that Joseph's feelings and attitude would terest in them would decline. that a measure of resentment, so long held in abey yance, would be revived and that he would visit upon them a Just punishment for their behavior. As Is generally the case with bad men they supposed that Joseph was like themselves, subject to the same likes and dislikes. Hence, the ten brothers were found chasing them selves together as fearful of their mighty relative who no longer seemed to be near and dear to them.
 Pardon .-tverses Is and 17.)-rhey knew, however, that there was but one proper course for them to pursue. 1t was utterly useless for them to com bine and intrigue. They were at the mercy of Joseph. He could do with them whatsoever he pleased Their property and their lives were. absolutely n his hands, They must therefore if possible conciliate him, and this they attempted In very wise way, They appointed a messenger, a sp1Aesman. probably eve of their own number, to make represent- ations for them. He went with due hu- the slightest effort to cxtenuate thei, fault. They acknowledged it in a manly way. q John. i, 9l They had learned so much of the laws of spiritual inter- fession they asked to be forgiven. They did not leave the case, however. with out influence. They presented two i'm portant considerations. They called
 
 appeal in this way to Joseph's piety, and they declared that their beloved father had directed them to sue for par ,inn Joseph wept while they spoke tc him.
 Rever renec.- Verse ls)-Nor did they pause with confession of sin. or prayer fer pardon CT the prescription of mo- tives. The case was so desperate that they resorted to the most extreme meas utes to gain their end. They fell down before Joseph's face and worshpped him, saa TAll fA..Wr NTh IT.. a brother to tEem-he was the ruler of Egy pt, and 1t was cminently proper that they should show all due reverence. Re- sides, he had me enifested a noble spirit toward them as a benefactor, and 1t is low end sordid nature that does not return gratitude sor favors received. They said. we be thy servants" inn consecrated themselves to do his bidding. Only they craved, the highest of all favors. that he would absolve them from the offense of the years long past and by no means a painful or humiliating act-it was evidently spontaneous and hearty And what was particularly note worthy 1t was complete fulfillment of what Joseph had seen in his dream, hated him.
 seph reject this pleading company? Will he spurn them and drive them from his presence, holding over their heads the condemnation which they seek to re- move? There are some of such vindictlve spirit that they know not how to for give The remembrance of wrong receiv- ed is like virus diffusing itself through all their moral natures. manifesting Itself In resentmen. and rewarding evil for evil But Joseph was not of such dis position. His brethren had done all in their power to make amends for their | generous and noble response. He first quieted their fears and then assured them for the present he had a Divine prerogative of pardon. He could release them from censure. Deut, XXXii, S5.) Immediately then he ascended to that lofty place In which on their former in terview as they came to buy grain, tGen., xiv, 5 he had considered their action as a part of Gods arranged plan for the good of the household. Next came his promise, followed by brotherly words not recorded in which he comfort ed them. His kind speech was soothing to the troubled men.
 Posterity. .-(Nerses B and 2S 1.-The life of patriarch was not self-centered. It's blessings were not all personal and pres ent. There was ever look Into the fu- ture, and an earnest longing for children If Americans build estates-the Hebrews raised families. To be blessed with d numerous posterity was one of the most exalted honors. 1t Is probable that this characteristic was the result of Mes siauic promises and hopes, Gen, xvii, 7) The sketch of Joscph's career would therefore, do him injustice and would be untrue to oriental life unless 1t included