The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-05-11
JOSEPH FORGIVES
HIS BROTHERS
Sunday School Lsssonior Nay l2. 1907
Specially Prepared fer This Paper.

GllDEN IEAR-TBe We kind one TO
another. tender-hearted. forgiving one
another, even, as God for christs sake
hath forgiven you. "-Eph. 4.32
TIME.-B. G. 1907, according to Ussher
Second year Of famine and p years after
Joseph was sold into Egypt.
PLACE -Heliopolis in Egypt on the
| Nile near the head Of the Delta; or
/ Zoan, near the outlet Of the tanitic mouth
Of the Nile. About $50 miles from Heb
ron, Jacobs home.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
We are now to trace the steps by
which Joseph's brothers were trans
formed from haters into lovers. we
left them, a set Of bitter-hearted, cruel
men, with virtual murder on their
souls and their brothers bloody gar
ment in their hands, telling their old
father a lie that meant, they knew,
his lifelong sorrow Yet those same
men were to be the ancestors Of Gods
chosen people.
The Pressure of Fan1ine.-Gen, AZ:
1-3. Some of those who greatly ad-
mired the character of Joseph have
been compelled to think he did wrong
in not notifying his old father Of his
safety during those nine years when
as prime minister he certainly had
power to communicate with him. In
view, however, of the yearning affec-
ton which Joseph afterward showed.
we may well believe that he realized
how little good would be accomplish.
ed by such course while his broth
ers hearts remained hard.
Joseph's Rough Dealing. AZ:
4-6. Even in his old age, Jacobs en-
ergy shows itself, and it is he that
proposes an expedition to get food
from Egypt The youngest. Benja-
min. was alone retained at home
Imprsonment.--Gen 42:17-24. Jo-
sephs dramatic reminders of what had
passed continued. As they had
thrust him into the pit, he thrust
them into the horrors of an Egyptian
prison
The Mystery of the Money.-Gen
AZ: :25-3S Sometimes consciences that
are not aroused by adversely are
awakened by strangeness and mys-
terry. This also was added for the bet
tering Of his brothers.
The Sorrowful Father.-Gen 43:1-
A. However reluctant the sons were
to face again the terrible rule OF
Egypt, and however Jacob dreaded to
part with his sole remaining consola-
ion, Benjamin. the pressure Of hun
ger was too great for them. With a
sinking heart, Jacob agreed that Ben1
amin should go, being a little as.
Sured, perhaps. by Judahs manly
promise to be surety for him
Benjamin Honored.-Gen. 43:15-34.
A new surprise awaited the brothers
n Egypt Instead Of being received
oughly by the prime minister they
we're invited to dine at the great mans
house.
7enjamin's PeriI.-Gen. Nib. The
flair Of the divining cup was the
most severe test Of all. 1t was part of
he plot to make out that Benjamin
ad stolen something very valuable
nd precious The penalty applied
o common thieves by Egyptian law
vas perpetual slavery, and that was
he fate which confronted the horri-
ed Benjamin when the cup was dis
oyered in his sack
Judah's Appeal.-Gen 44:14-s4. The
Examination before Joseph is a fit
limax of the wonderful story. "Ju-
all had thirsted for the blood of Jo-
eph; it was Judah who now became
le spokesman for the rest. t.r-sayce.
Joseph's Disclosure Of .flimself.-
s IA Joseph's severe tests had
oundantly accomplished their pur.
ose' they had shown his brothers.
ven the worst Of them, to be changed
zen. whom he could trust. Therefore
no Longer hesitated to disclose
Imself
Joseph's DiscI0Are Of Providence.
vs.. SIS. The surgeons task is not
'mplete if he leaves an open wound
Use dealing with sinners never. ends
hen they repent Ttey must next
comforted, saehs4hened lifted
to a new confidence. This is what
'seph now does for his humbled
others. 4 can forgive, but never
rset IS as far as many Christians
to-day go in regard TO an injury
ow small is such a position as we
and beside this Hebrew. who could
It only forget, but could strive to
AXE the wrongdoers forgetl
Joseph Sends for Ais Father-vs
~ The best way to help re-.
ntant sinner is to give him some
bic task to perform: end if II
lps to undo some Of the wrong NJ Y
s done, so much the better. sucb
task Joseph next gave his brothers
The Reunited Brothers.-Vs. L. rs.
n. 90; 1871. A moment more saw
n and BENJAMIN locked in each otb-
s arms, their tears freely flowing
d he kissed all his brethren. sim.
b? Yes. Reuben? Yes. Those
% had tied his hands and mocked
cries? Yes He kissed them All
d after that they talked with him
q. B. Meyer