Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-27

CONTEXT. The sale of Joseph to the
Midianites as studied in our last lesson re-
moved him for time from his brothers.
The two following chapters, the 3Sth and
the ~29th present in striking contrast the
vices Of these brethren and the virtues Of
Joseph, with the evident purpose of ex-
hibiting the superior quality Of the latter.
We read first of the shameful conduct Of
Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, the wicked
ness of Err and the offenses of Oman, Judah 8
two sons, the crime against lamar and Its
issue, record of revolving shame and deg
radiation, stain upon the fame of. Israel
Then, in beautiful outline, We behold Jo-
seph in the home of Potiphar maintaining
his purity against the most insinuating in
fuences. maligned, then imprisoned. One
reading these accounts does not wonder
that Jacob loved Joseph more than he
loved the other sons, and there Is plainly
apparent also the ground for the Divine
favor. We shall now see how an innocent
man may be sustained in suffering.
BLESSED oversees 20 and 2D. When
ever righteous man is brought into trou-
BILE through the devices Of wickedness Il
Peter ii:19) he needs first of all to be as
sured of Gods favor. If that is denied
or doubted he is wretched beyond COM
parison. If that is granted he is strong
and happy psalms xxvii:D. Daniel in the
lions den and Paul in the jail at Philippi
(Acts xvi:25O were comforted because of
the Divine presence of which they were
conscious. So Joseph, though slave in
strange land far from kindred, was not
overcome when cast into prison where Of
tenders against the ma iesty of the king
were bound. Dishonored by men he was
blessed by Cod That omnipresent spirit
that comes to all men alike in every age
and land (Titus, ii:1D was with him to give
peace and with the keeper of the prison,
convincing him that the poung Hebrew
committed to his care was worthy of con-
sdera ton, because of his excellent spirit
and gentle department.
TRUSTED oversees % and 23). There
is a work for a good man in any place
where he may be. The more untoWard the
circumstances the more valuable will be
his services. Hence comes first confidence,
then position and finally responsibility
faithfulness and honor. That is the real Sc
cret In all promotions among men. So 1t
came to pass with Joseph in the prison.
The blessing of God marked him as an ex-
ceptonal man, and worth was recognized
by the officials. Gradually the prisoners
were committed to his care, and he was
advanced from place to place until the
keeper actually turned over to him all the
interior management. That was Joseph's
grand opportunity, and he fully met the
trust which was laid upon him. His sue
cess was not due wholly to his wisdom and
his goodness. The Lord was with him Gen.
Xxxix:2-0, he had previously been making
every work to prosper. And this fact, be-
coming apparent. increased the confidence
and enlarged and confirmed the trust
OFFENDED (verses I to d. Many and
varied are the methods employed by Divine
Providence to work out purposes of good
for the righteous. 1t often occurs that some
seemingly trivial matter In the life of
other affords occasion for the execution of
far-reaching designs. While Joseph was
faithfully performing his duties in the royal
prison two men We're suddenly brought into
relations with him. The kings butler and
baker offended their lord by some act which
was of SO little Importance as to find no
record in the narrative. Probably it was
nothing more than some slight irregularity
liable to occur at any time in the perform
ance of routine service. The kings anger
led to the punishment of the offenders and
they We're delivered into the care of Joseph.
Thus the Hebrew youth. himself prisoner.
was charged with the responsibility of car
ing for two Egyptian officers of high rank.
This is the first step in the chain of influ-
ences to be related hereafter by which the
man Of God will be benefited.
DREAMED (verse 81. In the earlier
ages God spoke more frequently and direct
~, if not more definitely and fully to men.
These communications were necessary in a
time Of limited knowledge, and they We're
made by divers manners. (Hebrews id
dreams and visions. by which impressions
were made upon the soul In time of sleep.
When the body was inactive the mind was
more susceptible to spiritual Influences
Abimelech, Jacob, Laban and many others
In this way learned the Divine will. So,
too, the butler and baker Of Pharaoh shut
up in prison, were made to know what con-
cerned their future. Both of them dreamed
in one and the same night. Brought into
contact with the man of God they We're
permitted to share with him in that out
look upon life for which he had been dis
tinguished Gen. xxxvii:9). a proof that at
that time Gods plans We're not restricted
TO the narrow limits of chosen people,
that His mercy was race-wide.
INQUIRED oversees $50. The two men
We're greatly affected by their dreams.
They knew that some supernatural intlu-
ence had been exerted upon them; that
they had been in communication with the