The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-10-10
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
October I3.
Subject: Joseph In Prison, Gen. xxyix., 20 10
1L, I5--Golden Text, Gen. xxxix IL
Memory Verses, zi.z3-c Commentary
on the Days Lesson.


Introduction. : The history of Joseph,
as recorded in the Bible, is Of inimitable
beauty. So simple that child may un-
derstand it, yet, in its simplicity, SO beau
tiful that no uninspired hand can embel-
llish it. Modern writers would fill vol
ume in recording what Moses puts within
the compass Of few chapters, No blem-
sh apneers in the life of Joseph.
90 "Into the prison" This probably
implies an edificc, or portion OF the Off:
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 IL: IA 1t is called "the dun
eeon." Such dungeons gre still. under
similar circumstances, used in the East.
His Imprisonment must have been very
severe at first. In Psalm l05: II, Is we
read that they hurt his feet with letters;
he was laid in iron, But God greatly
blessed him, and il 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"
joseph had power within him, which en-
abled him to press forward, even though
il was very dark before him. The disci-
pline seemed severe; he was suffering as
! martyr. But he learned to trust God and
with gladness OF heart he goes to slavery
persecution and Imprisonment. Gods
eye was upon him, and no weapon formed
against him prospered. lie 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
nature of human influence. IL 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
prisoners were all in the same position.
but very soon Joseph's character gained
him influence.
%. Because the Lord" etc The rea-
son of his influence was the God within
him. just so far as "A man is Christlilie
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
hanishments, for the. Spirit OF the Lord
Is not bound or banished.
l. THE butler" The cupbearer and
overseer of the wine-making and storing
and serving; an important officer of the
king Baker" This was another officer
in trust, of the kings bread and it's max
ing, and his post was one of high trust
because they who had charge of the food
Had offended" High places are slippery
places.
3. 'In the house" The state priso,
was in connection with Potiphar's resi-
dence. See on verse 20.
a. Charged Joseph" etc. The captain
OF the guard himself. who was Potiphar,
charged Joseph with them. which init.
mates that he began now. to be reconciled
to HIM, and perhaps to be convinced of
his innocence. 'He served them " Joseph
waited upon them. So long as God is with
him Joseph will shine even in the dun
geon., Pharaoh's officers are sent to wit
ness his Graces, which he is not permitted
to come forth to show.
D. Each man-in one night" This
shows that the dreams were of the Lord
While our ordinary dreams have no spo-
c,,al significance, yet it can not be doubted
that God has in many cases. especially in
early times, spoken in dreams. accord
ing to the Interpretation" This expires
sion is intended to show that the dreams
were, not meaningless. but suited to each
mans case and capable of sound inter.
probation.
@; "Sad." They were sure their dreams
had more than an ordinary incoming.
q, ",Wherefore---so sadly" Joseph
spoke kindly to them: he, too. was
stood their feelings
3. No interpreter" One thing that
troubled them was that thev were not in
a position to submit their dreams To tbe
magicions of Egypt, who were supposed
TO be able to interpret dreams. But ,Joseph
pointed them to his God as the One who
could reveal difficult things. "Teu me
them. Thus had God at last brought
Joseph prominently before these officers.
ii. Pressed them" From this we find
that wine anciently was the pure Juice of
tne, grape, without fermentation. The
cupbearer took the bunch. pressed the
3ulce INTO the cup. and irlmediately de
hVered y into the hands of his master.
y. Three branches are three davs"
human knowledge could not have known
tnnt these branches had reference IN
tiine, or if they did have whether three
DAYS, months or years were intended II
was Wisely ordered that one part of tho
cream should rcduire a divinelv inspired
interpreter. 1t was Gods design to az
SURE, the butter that Joseph obtained his
WISDOM not from man, but by revelation
from above.
l3. Lift up thine head" Thi, NAV
refer to custom which the kings of
,Esypt, observed when those supposed to
oe eu,ity o, great crimes were punished,
and Others less guilty were pardoned
"a. "'rhink on me-" joseph had mrcb
yet to DO to this word He was to be.
come the shepherd and the stone NJ
,sraci; he was to be lord nf Phnraoh's
mouse; he was to become the father of
Two powerful tribes in Israel IIo conld
not perish while the promises he had re-.
ceived were vet unaccomplished "Brin,
me out. He desires enlargement nnf
preferment. Providence sometimes de.
Signs the greatest honors for those that
least covet or expect them"
TO- y was stolen" ,Tosepb makes .
very modest statement with reference ~
himself He does not reflect unon tboso
VINO had sold him. or dwell upon tbe
great wrong done him in his imprison.
ment; he merely states the facts and do.
clares his innocence. land OF the He.
orewsD Judea was probably known bv
tbis name in Egypt. Done nothinc"
Josephs wav is row for q time in tha
darkness, hut this is the very wav tbronsb
which God often leads His people.
Josenh also interpreted the dream of
the baker. vs.. 1919 On the third Sav
after this Pharaoh made hirthdoy
feast and the butler was restored to HE
once and the baker was hanged. das
Joseph had interpreted TO them" Tho
putler' however, forgot Joseph VI Is sup.
posed that Joseph had at this time been
n m, prison one year, and he must wait two
fuli years yet before Gods time comes
tor ms release. Joseph knew the future
OF the butler and baker, but his own In.
ture was Wiaalv ht11on