The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-30
THE SABBATH school.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 3.
Subject: Death of Joseph. Gen. l., 1896
Golden Text. Psa. xc.. 12 - Memory
Verses, 1921 - Commentary on the
DAVIS Lesson.

Days Lesson.
Let US study carefully the intervening
history. l. Joseph sending for his father.
IS: l7-2S. Pharaoh and his servants were
we'll pleased when they knew that .Joseph's
brethren had come. The king joins with
Joseph in sending for Jacob and his fam
lily. Great provisions were made for their
Journey. At first. Jacobs heart tainted,
for the news seemed too good to be true,
but when he saw the wagons and the
good things Of Egypt" that Joseph had
sent he believed and his spirit revived.
Q. The Journey to Egypt, 46: IL;
to move to Egypt with their hocks and
movable property. The journey was
about 250 miles along the usual caravan
route. but it was long, hard journey for
an old man, with women and children.
and focks and herds. When they reached
Beer-sheba God sent Jacob q vision for his
encouragement, confirming the ancient
promises and bidding him 60 on to Egypt.
Little could Jacob see the real importance
of this journey. but it was one OF the links
in the chain of divine providence through
which the promises were to be fulfilled"
The number of Jacobs children that went
down into Egypt, including his sons wives,
was seventy-fve. Acts Z: "a.
3. The meeting of Jacob and Joseph:
IS: 1884. When Jacob reached the land
of Goshen Joseph went forth in his char
lot to meet his father. Joseph fell on his
fathers neck "and wept on his neck q
good while" 1t had been nearly twenty
three years since Joseph had left his faith
er to 90 to Shechem.
4. The meeting of Jacob and Pharaoh.
A7: l-lO ''First Joseph selected five of
his brethren and introduced them to
oL ,rLo 1ro1oop, a5 thapn and hode
Joseph give official positions to any who
proved themselves men of activity, energy
and ability. Then Joseph introduced his
father to the king Here Joseph shows
the nobleness of his character in not being
ashamed of his father" Jacobs account
Of his life to Pharaoh is very touching.
Sin and sorrow had weighed him down
and was bringing him to an early old age.
5. Jacob blessing his sons. Chapters
48, 49,. The time was approaching when
Jacob knew he must die; he is sick and
Manasseh and Ephraim; to his father:
who blessed them. "In this scene we need
but notice the prophetic adoption of
Ephraim and Manesseh as his own sons
and heads of tribes, and the giving Of the
chief blessing to Ephraim, the younger"
Ephraim became the leading tribe next to
Judah Just before bis death Jacob pro-
phesied concerning his sons and pro-
nounced blessings upon them.
6. Jacobs death and burial. 49,: % to
so: IA, Jacob was 147 years of age when
he died. Before his death he secured
solemn pledge from Joseph that he would
bury him in Egypt az: 2s:3D. and later
he charged them to bury him in the cave
These instructions were carefully carried
out. At this time Joseph revisits the
scenes of his boyhood, after an absence of
forty years.
at once argues both O sense of guilt in
their own consciences and want of con-
fidence in their brother.
l6. ''Thy father did command" Al
though this is not recorded elsewhere it
was undoubtedly true. They had probably
asked their father to help them in their
trouble. Jacob must have advised them
to humble themselves before their brother
IT, Forgive" etc. These words were
wonderfully well chosen, aud were spo-
ken in a way to appeal in the most forci-
bic manner to Joseph's piety and flial af-
lection. They cast themselves wholly on
his mercy. "Joseph wept." How touch
ing! He wept out OF sympathy with their
deep sorrow of manv years which nothing
but forgiveness and reconciliation could
alleviate.
ls. "Fell down." Thus again and again
DO we see the fulflment of Joseph's dreams
in a remarkable manner. 81: 5-S.
10. "In the place of Cod" I have for
given you and the matter is now between
YOU and God. l am not your judge to pun
ish you.
20. eye meant evil" Or. w And what
they did was just as wicked as though the
results had been disastrous. They intend
ed it for evil, and God judges according to
the motive which prompts the act. "God
meant it for good" (R. W God over.
ruled their wickedness and made it work
out good. This fact would comfort them,
for it would be a great relief to know that
the injury. to Joseph which they had in.
tended had been averted.
in Egypt until the time of his death,
Of his father. "His fathers house" All
the descendants of Jacob remained in
Egypt IA years after the death of Joseph:
They came to Egypt seventy-one years be-
fore his DEATH. which makes the entire
lime in Egypt 2l5 years. can hundred and
ten years." He was seventeen years old
when he came to Egvnt, thirteen years
were spent in slavery and prison and
eighty years on the throne: for it is proba-
BILE that he retained his high Office to the
close of his life.
%. Upon ,Joseph's knees" They were
educated by him, or under his direction
his sons and their children continued to
acknowledge him as patriarch, or head of
the family. as long as he lived
"a. "Will surely visit you" Joseph had
unbounded confidence in the promises
made to his ancestors. The Egyptian
throne had not weaned his affections from
the true God. He died in the "full assur-
ance of faith Bring you out" Though
ye have everything that can make life
comfortable, yet this is not the land
given by covenant, the land which repre-.
sents the rest that remains for the people
Of God.
%. Garry up my bones" 'That I may
finalv rest with my ancestors in the land
which God gave to Abraham. and which
is pledge as it is type Of the kingdom
of heaven" See Heb. II: %. Joseph's
request was granted. When Moses de-
parted from Egypt he took Joseph's body
lex, l3: l9l. and Joshua buried him in
sheehem;;, Josh. "a: 80; >.
90. "They embalmed him.. The Egyp'
tians had special physicians for each dis
ease; the embalmers formed a class by
not universally used in Egypt, and we're
tinction. Joseph was put. as the duty Of
the embalmers, in chest Of wood, such
as may be seen in our museums to this!
day. Others think Joseph's coffin was of
stone.