The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1901-10-16

the young Hebrew, brought no disappointment He
went out over the land inspecting, nquring direct
ing Great quantities of grain stored, so that
when the famine came and widespread Egypt
had abundance. People came from other lands to
buy food. From Hebron Jacob sent his sons. all ex-
cept the young Benjamin, to buy grain in Egypt
Joseph knew them but did not make himself known.
lie spoke harshly, accused them of being spies and
imprisoned them for three days Retaining Simeon
as hostage he sent the rest back charging them to
bring Benjamin. When the grain was exhausted.
jacob was compelled to send again to Egypt reuc-
family consenting to Benjamin going. Then there is
the touching story of the cup found in the sack and
the return of the brethren in great distress and alarm
Joseph declared that Benjamin must remain. and
Judah plead for his return telling of his fathers ter
ribe grief If Benjamin returned not. Then Joseph
unable longer to control his feelings made himself
known, as we read in this lesson.
|. RcVcdlmg Himself Tvs. 1-4.-Judah's appeal
was earnest and pathetic and Joseph could not re-
frain himself He was overcome by his emotion of
love for his old father and for his brethren Sending
all others without Joseph made himself known He
wept aloud, so that he heard by the Egyptians
and Pharaohs household without. Then he told his
brethren, Il am Joseph; doth my father yet live?"
They were startled and alarmed at his announcement
All the past came up to memory. There sin in their
treatment of the lad Joseph came back to conscience
with fearful pain Before, he had asked them con
corning Your father, the old man of whom We
spake Now he spoke of my father" Then it was
apparently only question of courtesy now it came
from deep and tender love- They could not an
swer him, in their trouble and fear. They seem to
have shrank back in alarm, but he babe them Come
near to meT Reassured by his kindness, they obeyed
and came near; and he said, Il am Joseph your
brother, whom we sold" 1t was not TO upbraid them
but to them of his forgiveness.
IL. Comforting His Brethren Tvs. 5-S).-He ex-
planned to them that Gods hand had been in all this
strange history. God did send me before YOU to
preserve life" That evil deed God permitted to work
great good. He therefore babe them to be com
torted. BE not grieved angry with yourselves
Two years of the famine had passed and there were
five years to come with neither caring nor harvest
God designed to the sons of Jacob that the
chosen people should not be destroyed. great de
Werance ordered by Gods good providence and
his being sold into Egypt the means to that great
end For this end God had given him this honor
and power in Egypt. He hath made me a father TO
Pharaoh and lord Of all his house" They sent him
a slave, but God made him ruler of all Egypt Their
wlckedness had been overruled, to bring a great
mercy TO Egypt and to Jacob and his children.
III. The Message to His Father VS. o-1D.-Joseph
was eager to see his old father. He was filled with
a great desire to have him come to Egypt With all
MS great honor ana nigh Office III Egypt his heart was
true to his own father He wished his brethren TO
so back in haste and entreat Jacob to come Come
down unto me, tarry not" He would make home
for him in the land of Goshen on the borders fertile
and rich in pasture. Thou shalt be near unto me"
lie would have them all come, with their children
and chldrcns children, their focks and herds There
1t was IN his power to protect and nourish them
through the five years Of famine yet before the land
They were large clan, called Israelites after
the patriarch Jacob. They to tell him that they
had found his son Joseph and all they had seen in
Egypt, and satisfy him that they were able to do all
ne had promised. And with great tenderness ne took
leave of them with love Of forgiveness and entire