The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-05-03
JOSEPH THE WISE
: RULER In EGYPT

Specially prepared for this paper.


LESSON TExT.-Gen. 1850; memory
verses. $50.
GOLDEN TExT.-"Tf any OF you lack
wisdom, let MIR ask Of God. is.
TIME.-B. c. 17Is (Ussher), two years
after the release of Pharaoh's chief but
Ter. TO B. G. 1907. when Joseph was made
known to his brethren; seven years Of
plenty and two years Of famine.
PLACE.-The capital of Egypt at this
time was either Zoan (the modern SAM.
near one Of the mouths Of the Nile, or
Heliopolis (OnJ, six or seven miles north
east of modern Cairo.
PLACE IN HISTORY.-The Pharaoh of
Egypt was probably one of the third and
last Hyksos dynasty. and possibly the
last Hyksos king, Apepl.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
Joseph's Opportunity Comes at Last.
Gen. 4i:1-14. first clause. After
Joseph had been in prison for three
years, for a third time dreams entered
his life as a controlling factor. This
time 1t was the dreams OF Pharaoh,
who saw in his sleep seven fat COWS
the COW was a sacred animal to the
Egyptians-coming up out OF the one
river Of the country, the great Nile.
opportunities.-Life chances come
In Ways We never expect. Joseph
might have ranged the plains of his
native Mesopotamia in wild freedom
for a hundred years and never have
found such a chance of promotion as
came to him within the precincts OF
that gloomy and sitting dungeon
Hatheson.
Joseph's Wise Interpretation and
Sound Advice.-Gen 41:14-36. An in
dication Of coming success is Joseph's
humility. 1T is not in me-" he said
modestly, when told of the task before
him; God shall give Pharaoh an an
swer." 'On the one hand humility. ON
the other faith. These two should al
ways go together, and the union Of the
two secures the cooperation Of Jeho-
vah."-W. NJ. Taylor.
The steps of Joseph's advancement
are very clear, and may be followed
by any young man DESTROYS Of getting
along In the world" ~ He was not
discouraged and downcast by adverse
circumstances. (2) He did his best
wherever he was. go He made friends
by his readiness to help. (4) He trust
ed God, and was always ready to &C
knowledge him. (5) He was modest,
and waited for others to suggest his
advancement. co. He was patient and
waited Gods good time. CD He made
use of the little opportunities, and so
was all ready for the great ones when
they arrived.
A Lesson OF Patience-"The buffers
| dream nomo fruo IN throa douu hvt
there was not much of 1t when it was
fulfilled. 1t took 10 years for Joseph's
dreams to be realized. because the
dreams meant SO much. II a mans
work is Of small importance, he can
be prepared for it in a little while.
But when he has a great mission to
fulfill, 1t requires long time to fit
him for 1t. Let no one grow impa-
tient in Gods school, however slow
the advancement may be-. R.
Miller.
The Great Opportunity NobIy Used:
Joseph Saves the Nation.-Vs. 1857;
Gen. H:13-26. ". 46. Joseph, when
he entered upon his great task was
80 years old" so that he had been Is
years in servitude, since he was II
years old when sold into Egypt. I'm
mediately on receiving his commission
he went out from the presence of
Pharaoh" not remaining among the
novel delights and pleasures Of the
court, but going vigorously to work.
His first step was to go throughout
all the land of Egypt" deciding where
to place the vast storehouses that
would be required. and issuing orders
for their construction.
". AT. AS Joseph had prophesied, 'in
the seven plenteous years the earth
brought forth by handfuls." a kernel.
or perhaps a stalk. yielding a handful.
Egypt was at that time the worlds
granary, and it stil1 exports a consid-
cradle amount of wheat.
Was Joseph's Policy Justf-He sold
the grain to the starving people. and
there is no indication that he sold 1t at
starvation prices. To have given 1t
away would have pauperized the peo-
pie. and injured their character ire
~trievably. So the British government.
in dealing with the terrible famines
In India, enters upon large public
works upon which the needy natives
are employed. that they may earn
money to buy bread. But then. when
the money ave out, Joseph took the
peoples domestic animals In return
for wheat; then took their land. and
at last themselves. emphasizing tho
final purchase by gathering the rural
population in the cities. probably for
convenience in feeding them. Thus
Joseph brought about q complete reyo.
luton In the social condition Of the
nation; everything now belonged to
Pharaoh. The monuments show that
at the close of the Hyksos dynasty
there was no private ownership OF
land. all Egyptians being mere tenants.
paying to the king as taxes one-fifth