Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-20

CONTENTIOUS last lesson left Jacob
at Penile, shortly before he met his brother
Esau. 1t was there that he received the
new name, Israel, which he bore ever after.
That event was in the year 1879, B. c. Our
present lesson pertains to events about ten
years later. In that interval Jacob had
established himself in the country occu-
pied previously by Isaac and Abraham, and
Esau, after his salutations, returned to
Edom Thus the two families increased
neither molesting the other. 1t soon be-
came apparent that Jacobs sons, born OF
his two wives and two concubines, in real
ity forming two households were discordant
and hence troublesome. Joseph, the child
of beloved Rachel, was hated by his breth-
rem because Of the fathers love Gen.
xxxvii:1H.
DREAMED oversees Soon one oc-
casior Joseph, then a mere lad of seventeen
years, had a strange dream, or more slriG.
1y speaking vision. 1t was by TINS nle.t.
cd that God communicated Information 70
men Gen, xxx:1D, a method well suited
to divine disclosures. Sometimes IN the
night and sometimes in the day the pouy
would experience, sensations ana enter nv
conditions not unlike slumber, and then the
vision would come. On this occasion II
was a pictorial representation, the scene
being taken from agricultural pursuits. an
were binding sheaves of grain IN me helu;
those of the eleven brethren DoWed anu
did reverence. And when Joseph returned
to his normal state, so great was the I'M
preston that he related what ne hao seen Sc Tho
rehearsal upon the minds of the orethreh
was precisely what might have peen an
ticipated. They had no difficulty TO make
the Interpretation. Indeed, there was but
one possible meaning, and that was SO plain
that the most obtuse must have easily
guessed it, Joseph elevated to some place
of dignity and power, the other eleven DOW
ing down in reverence represented the e!eV-
en- men subordinate and submissive to 10
seph. OF course their jealousy and prlde
were awakened. They were not ready 10
place the youngest above all, 10 give nm
dominion. DO you expect such promo
tion?" they inquired, rejecting and resent
ing the thought, and they hated the young
man.
REBUKED oversees 9-1D.-Once more
Joseph entered into the dreamland. Inls
time the vision was entirely dlTerent, re
lating not to the scenes of agriculture, but
to the scenes of pastoral life 1t may nave
been after or during service 1or the HOOKS KS,
when the heavens spread out before his
eyes their impressive glories. What glori-
Gus vision it was! He Sod in his own
selfhood, and the great orb OF day ana the
earth's satellite and the eleven stars theh
known to the patriarchs all made obeisance;
This dream also he tod his father ana
brethren, exhibiting his disingenuous spirit.
The Interpretation was quickly made as be-
lore, awakening INC envy VI tilc oiS@iA' VI
and securing a rebuke from his father. who
was slow to believe that his son should be
elevated above him.
COMMISSIONED oversees 1914. --Jacob
resided in the vale of Hebron. some twenty
miles south of Jerusalem, on lands that had
belonged to his father Isaac. The pasturage
of that region was not sufficient to support
the numerous herds and f1ocks which We're
accordingly driven northward to the valley
where Abram halted on first entering the
land Gen. xii :6). That region has ever been
famous for it's beauty and fertility. the
ideal spot for shepherds. The ten sons of
Jacob-Reuhen, Simeon Levi. Judah, DAN
Naphtali, Cad, Cad Ashur, Ischar and Zeb-
ulon-the children of Leah. Bilhah and Zil-
pah Gen, Xxx)-all grown t. manhood, were
sent in charge of the stock, which they
led from place to place in the valley.
Months may have passed since their depar-
ture. when Jacob became anxious to know
of their welfare, an indication that he had
some misgivings not without reason con-
corning their behavior He therefore called
his beloved Joseph, the only son with him,
and commissioned him to go and learn the
situation. mark of his confidence, and
Joseph gladly undertook to serve.
SEARCHED oversees 15-1O.-The valley
of Shechem was extensive, in form TRAN
gle with its base toward the east and its
apex toward the Mediterranean 1t was
divided into three parts by spurs of hills
and sometimes frequented by marauding
parties. Hence. Jacobs sons shifted their
position from time to time for better past
ure or greater security, and Joseph needed
to search little to find them. But he aid
not relinquish his efforts to meet his
fathers instruction. One day he and his
servants Were wandering about in the field
somewhat confused at the proper course to
be taken, having clue from any one to
direct his path. Fortunately man found
him who proved to be a friendly guide for
he had met the sons and heard them speak
of their purpose to remove to Dothan. This
will be remembered as the home of Elisha
in after years Oh Kings, vi:13), situated in
the southern part of the plain. perhaps
twenty miles from Samaria. Thither Jo-
seph turned his feet and found his brothers
in camp near a well, their flocks spread
over the country.
CONSPIRED oversees 1S-22)-Joseph