The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-10-10

70 to Nl., l5-tiOlden le8t' """' -NN|>'NN''
2I-Memory Verses, 21-23-Conmen-
tary on the Days Lesson.
Introduction. - The history Of Joseph,
As recorded in the Bible, Is OF inlmltabIe
beauty. So simple that child may un-
derstand it. vet, in its simplicity, so beau
tiful that no uninspired hand can embe!l-
llish it. Modern writer's would fill vol
ume in recording what Moses puts within
the compass of few chapters. No blem-
ish apnears in the life of Joseph.
20. Into the prison" This probably
implies an ediice, or portion OF the ON.
cial mansion. mostly subterranean: OF
which the roof or vault. rising immediate
" from the surface of the ground. was
round. or shaped like an inverted bowl.
In chapter Al: IA it is called "the dun
peon." Such dungeons are still. under
similar circumstances, used in the East.
His Imprisonment must have been very
severe at first. In Psalm los: II, IS We
read that they hurt his feet with fetters;
he was laid in iron. But God greatly
blessed him. and it was not long before
he had many favors shown him; He was
there" Joseph was in prison three years:
81. "The Lord was with joseph.
"This is an example OF the strength, OF
Gods consultations in the worst trials"
d
abled him to press forward, even though
it was very dark before him. The disci-
pline seemed severe; he was suffering as
martyr. But ne learned to trust God and
with giadness of heart he goes to slavery,
persecution and imprisonment. Gods
eye was upon him, and no weapon formed
against him prospered. He always did
light and made the best of everything.
o. Keeper of the prison" An inferior
officer who was charged with the actual
discipline Of the prison. Committed to
Joseph's hand" We see here the real
nature of human influence. 1t is not the
influence of rank but of character. Make
all men equal in rank to-day, and to-mor-
row there will be found those who have
acquired influence over the others. These
but verv soon Joscph's character gained
him influence.
90 Because the Lord etc. The rea-
son of his influence was the God within
him. Just so far as 4 man is ChriStlike
will he have influence. Wisdom and vir-
tue will shine in the narrowest spheres.
A good man will do good wherever he is.
and will be blessing even in bonds and
bcaislr.cats. for the S;--;-it of the Lord
is not bound or baD;sned.
!. TIE hn..,er.' The capbearer and
ov5rscer OF the winc-making and storing
ard serving; an imDortant officer Of the
king Baker" This was another officer
in trast OF the kings bread and its max
ing. and his post was one OF high trust.
because they who had charge Of the food
OF the king might easily poison him.
Had offended High places arc slippery
T'.ces.
3. IN the ho2sc.' The state prison
=, cOnpac.io,, Will, pntipbors rcsi.
dence. See on verse 20.
4. Charged .Joscph,' etc. The captain
OF the guard himself. who was Potiphar,
charged Joseph with them. which inti
mates that he bean now to be reconci!ed
70 him. and perhaps to be convinced al
his Innocence HE served them" .IoseDh
waited upon thom. SO long as God is with
him joseph viii shine even in the dun
geon. Pharaoh's officers ere sent to wit.
ness his Graces. which lie is not permitted
to come forth to show.
). Each mar--in one night This
shows that the dreams were Of the Lord.
While orr ordinary dreams have no spe.
ciai significance, yet it can not be doubted
that God has III many cases. especially in
early tines. spolen in drr1mS. accord.
sion is intended to show that the dreams
were not meaningless. but suited to each
mans case and capable OF sound inter.
G. "Sad" They were sure their dreams
had more than an ordinary meaning.
:. "Wherefore-so sadly.' Joseph
spoke kindly to them: he, too. was q
common sufferer with them, and under.
stood their feelings.
8. "No Interpreter" One thing that
troubled them was that thev were not in
position to submit their dreams to the
magicians OF Egypt. who were supposed
to be abe to interDret dreams But joseph
pointed them 70 his God as the One who
rould reveal difficult things. "Tell me
them" Thus had God at last brought
Joseph prominently before these officers.
II. Pressed them From this we find
that wine ancient,y was the pure juice of
the craps. without fermnntaton. The
cunbcarer tool; the bunch. pressed the
Juice into the cup. and immediately de-
livered it into the hands of his master.
y. Three branches are three days."
Human knowledge could not have known
that these branches had reference to
time. or if they did have whether three
DAYS, months or years were intended. It
was wisely ordered that one part of the
dream should require divinelv inspired
interpreter 1t was Gods design 10 rs.
SURE INC outer lnat Joseph OBTAINED his
wisdom not from man, but by revelation
from above.
l3. Lift up thine head This NAV
refer to custom which the kings of
EgyDs observed when those supposed to
he guilty OF great crimes were punished,
and others less guilty were pardoned.
II. Think on me-" Joseph had much
yet to do to this world He was to be- |
come the shepherd and the stone Of
Israeli" he was to be lord of Pbaraoh's
house: he was to become the father Of |
two powerful tribes in Israel. He could |
not perish while the promises he bad re. |
celved we're vet unsccomDlished. Bring |