The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-12
JOSEPH IN PRISON.
(Gen. xxxix. 20 to xl: 15.)

(Gen. xxxix. 20 to xl: 15.)
 cONTExT.-The sale of Joseph to the Midianites, as studied in our last lesson, removed him for a time from his bretf- ren. The two following chapters. the 3Sth and 30th. present in striking contrast the vices of those brethren and the vfr- tues of Joseph. with the evident purpose of exhibiting the superior quality Of the conduct of Judah. the fourth son of Ja- cob. the wickedness of Er and the onense of Oman, Judahs two sons, the crime against Tamar and its issue. a record of upon the fame of Israel. Then, in beau tifui outline we behold Joseph in the house Of Potiphar, maintaining his pur- ity against the most insinuating innu- One who reads these accounts does not wonder that Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved the other sons, and thero Is plainly apparent also the ground for an innocent man may be sustained in
 BLESsED.-(verses % and 21). When ever a righteous man Is brought into trouble through the devices of wicked ness q Pet. il, ls) he needs first of all to be assured of Gods favor. If that Is denied or doubted he is wretched beyond strong and happy. Psaim xvii. 1l Daniel in the Hons den and Paul in the jail at Philippi Acts xvi, 25) were com I0HL&d because DI the DuNln6 presence OL which they were conscious. So Joseph. though a slave in strange land far from his Kindred, was not overcome when cast into prison where offenders against the majesty of the king were bound. Dishonored by men he was blessed by his God. That omnipresent Spirit that comes to all men alike in every age and land (Titus ii. ID was with him to give peace, and with the keeper of the prison convincing him that the young Hebrew cornmitted to his care was worthy of con sideration, because of his excellent spirit and gentle department. -@
 TRGsTED.~CVSSses p and 2s.) There is a work for a good man in any place where he may be. The more untoward the circumstances the more valuable will be his services-fhe greater his misfor- tunes the brighter will appear his virtues. Hence comes first confidence, then posi- ticn and finally responsibility, faithful ness and honor. That is the real secret in all promotions among men. So 1t came to pass with Joseph in the prison. The blessing of God marked him as an eXcep- tionai man. and his worth was recognized by the officials. Gradually the prisoners were committed to his care, and he was advanced from place to plac euntil the keeper actually turned over to him All the interior management. That was Jo- met the trust which was laid upon him. His success. however. was not wholly due to his wisdom and goodness. The Lord was with him Gen. Xxxix, 2-3,) as He had previously been, making every work to prosper. And this fact, becom- ing apparent, increased the confidence and enlarged and confirmed the trust.
 OFFENDED.-(Verse l to 4) Many and varied are the methods employed by Divine providence to work out purposes of good for the righteous. It often occurs that some seemingly trivial matter in the life of another afford occasion for the execution of far-reaching designs. While Joseph was faithfully performing his du- ties in the royal prison two men were wflAANF1lNy h1-nr Into pnIn The kings butler and baker offended their lord by some act which was of so little importance as to ind no record in the narrative. Probably 1t was nothing more than some slight irregularity liable to occur at any time in the performance of routine service. The kings anger led to the punishment of the offenders, and they were delivered into the keeping of Joseph. Thus the Hebrew youth. himself a prisoner. was charged with the respon- sibility of caring for two Egyptian offi- cers of high rank. This is the, first step In chain of influences to be related hereafter by which the man of God will be benefited.
 DREAMED.-Cverse s> In the earlier ages God spoke more frequently and di- rectly, if not more definitely and fully, to men. These communications were nec- essary in time of limited know ledge, and they were made by divers manners. OHeb. i, 1) The most common method was that of dreams and visions, by which impressions were made upon the soul in time of sleep. When the body was inac- tive the mind was more susceptible to spiritual influences. (Numb. xii, 6) Abi- nnilech, Jacob, Laban and many others in this way Iearnsd the Divine will. (Gen. xxi, H.) So. too, the butler and baker of Pharaoh shut up in prison were made to know v hat concerned their future Both of them dreamed in one and the same night. Brought into contact with the man of God they were permitted to share with him in that outlook upon life for which he had been distinguished (Gen. exvii, 9) a proof that at that time Gods plans were not restricted to the his mercy was race-wide.
 ENQUiRED.-CVerses to S.) The two men were greatly affected by their dreams. They knew that some superna- tural influence had been exerted upon them, that they had been In communica-