The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-23
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 27.

XIV, 1-15 - Golden Text, Rom. Kill
21-Memory Verses, 4-1-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
Introduction.-This chapter, which con:
aims the unraveling of the plot, and
wonderfully illustrates the mysteries of
hese particular providences. is one OF the
Jaw that his brethren were contounded
at his presence, that they were struck
with his present power, and that they
zeenly remembered and deeply deplored
,heir own guilt. It was necessary to com.
:ort them, lest their hearts should have
been overwhelmed with overmuch sorrow.
How delicate and finely wrought is the
apology he makes for them What ne
says also concerning his father shows the
warmest feelings of a benevolent and
iEal heart.
oine years old; he had been in Egypt
twenty-five years, and had been governor
of Egvpt nine years. "Could not refrain"
The Hebrew word is very emphatic and
signifies to force ones self to do some
thing against nature. Joseph coul d no
longer constrain himself. The severity of
!he inaexible magistrate gives way to the
natural feelings of the man and :, the
brother. "To go out" That is, all OF
the Egyptians. This was, !: In order
that he might: give free and full scope TO
his feelings 2. It was the part OF .pru-
dence to prevent the sins of his brethren
from becoming known.
2. "Wept aloud" From the fulness Of
tightly excited emotions. This is the usual
way in which Orientals express excited
feelings. Heard" This may mean the
servants who may have been within the
sound of his voice, or "the words may
only signify that the report was brought
to PhaFaoh's Iss house." v Tha d0; n.+ur., ~o;ce
the native tongue, the long remembered
features. would all at once strike the ap..
prehension of the brothers. Troubled.
They betrayed their terror by shrinking
as far as they could from his presence.
The memory of the sins they had COM
mitted against joseph came upon them
with great force. They were greatly sur
prised to find their brother on an Egypt.
ian throne. They knew they. were in his
power. Ii he should treat them as they
had treated him there would be no hope
4. "Come near to me-" He invites
them to his free favor. So our Joseph in
the gospel bids us come to Him. The gos'
bel message is, "Come unto Me-" it is the
entreaty Of love- "Sold into Egypt" 1t
was impossible to evade aliusion to their
early wickedness, but this Joseph does in
n spirit not of angry upbraiding, but OF
elevated piety and tender charity. Christ
reminded Peter of his sin in order to snow
how full and complete was the forgiveness.
John 81: 1917.
5. "Bc not gr;eved." He spoke Of
their having sold him-not to wound their
feelings, but to convince them of his iden-
tity; and then to reassure their. minds he
traced the agency of an overruling prori-
dence in his exile and present honor.
did send me-" God used their evil to
accomplish His purpose. He did not need
t:eir evil; He has a thousand ways of ac..
complishing His ends. TO preserve life"
Not only your lives, but the Egyptians
and the people OF the neighboring- counl-
tries The principles laid down by Joseph
aged to hope in Gods mercy, they are left
without excuse for their sin. 2. That
God is able to make use Of the wicked
actions of wicked men for the advance
ment OF His work.
neither plowing nor harvest" IF. W
Ear" is an o!d English word meaning to
plow.
you, who are now but handful, escaping
this danger, might grow into vast multi
tude.
s. "Father to Pharaoh" ellis princi-
pal counselor of state, and to have the au-
thority, respect and power OF a father
with him."
0. go up to my father" "He desires
that his father might speedily be made
glad with the tidinss of his life and
10. "Land of Goshen" Probably this
district had been allotted to Joseph by
the king of Egypt, else we can scarcely
think he could have promised it so posi-
lively, without first obtaining Pharaon's
consent Goshen was part of Egypt,
cattle. and therefore most proper for the
Israelites, not only for present use, but
also that in Gods time they might with
the least disadvantage return to Canaan.
1t was very fertile, for it was stated to
be the best of the land of Egypt.
II. "Nourish thee" It is the duty of
children, if the necessity of their parents
does at any time require it, to support and
supply them to the utmost of their abil-
ity. '"And thy household. In verse lS
Joseph speaks of "their households"
now his own family, besides the still larger
family belonging to Jacob.
u. MY mouth" Up to this time he
had spoken to them through an interpre-
ter, but now he speaks in the Hebrew
tongue.
l3. "All nv glory" He enjoins this
not out of pride, but from love to his aged
father, knowing what pleasure it would
give him. 1t would also be an assurance
to his father that the promises made could
be carried out, and it would make it
easier for the ten sons to confess the
crime and deceit of the past. aye shall
haste" It had been TWENTY-FIVE years
slnce Joseph had seen his father, and it
hasten their journey.
IA. "His brother" Benjamin was the
only one who was full brother to Joseph.
Is. "Kisscd all his brethren" As
token of love and forgiveness. "Talked
with him." 'They were now at rest, the
past forgiven, the present full of hope.
and they could now tell the thousand
things Joseph wished to know about them,
and learn his history from him so as to
repeat the marvellous tale to their father"