The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-05-02
JOSEPH THE WISE
RULER In EGYPT

Specially prepared for this paper.

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LESSON TExT.-oen. n:sS-4s; memory
verses, 3S-40
GOLDEN TExT.-"If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God"-Jas. 15.
| TIME.-B. c. 1716 CUssher), two years
after the release of Pharaohs chief but
Ter, to b. c. 1707, 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 (On). six 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. Apspi.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
Joseph's Opportunity Comes s< Last.
Gen. 41:1-14, first clause. After
Joseph had been in prison for three
his life as . controlling factor. This
time It was the dreams Of Pharaoh.
who saw in his sleep seven fat cows
the COW was 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 az
came to him within the precincts OF
that gloomy and sitting dungeon.
Matheson.
Joseph's Wise Interpretation and
Sound Advice.--Gen. 41:14-36. An in
dication of coming success Is Josephs
humility. "It is not in me-" he said
modestly, when told Of TIE 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. M. Taylor.
The steps of Joseph's advancement
, are very clear, and may be followed
, by any young man desirous OF getting
, along in the world" Q) He was not
discouraged and downcast by adverse
circumstances. (2) He did his best
7 wherever he was. (3) He made friends
by his readiness to help. (O He trust
: ed God, and was always ready to &C
, knowledge him. CD He was modest
and waited for others to suggest his
advancement. (6) He was patient and
. waited Gods good time. (T 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 came true in three days, bu,
: there was not much OF It when It waf
= fulfilled. 1t took 13 years for Joseph's
:, dreams to be- realized. because the
:, dreams meant so much. II q man't
work is Of small importance, he car
be prepared for II in little while
a But when he has a great mission u
!, fulfill. 1t requires long time To III
= him for It. Let no one grow tmpa
" tient In Gods school, however slow
. the advancement may be."-F. r
: Miller.
The Great Opportunity Nobly Ueed
. Joseph Saves the Natioo.-Vs. %6-57
!. Gen. 47:13.26. v. 46. Joseph. wher
- he entered upon his great task wa
:, 80 years DID," SO that he had been /:
years in servitude. since he was 1
~ years old when sold into Egypt. I'm
;. mediately ON receiving his commission
= he went out from the presence O
- Pharaoh" not remaining among tn
!" novel delights and pleasures Of tn
:, court, but going vigorously To vorh
His first step was to go "throughou
all the land of Egypt deciding wher
to place the vast storehouses tina
would be required. and issuing order
il. for their construction.
VAT. AS Joseph had prophesied. Il
the seven plenteous years the cart
Se brought forth by handfuls." kerne
lg or perhaps a stalk. yielding handfu
st Egypt was at that time the world
is granary, and it still exports q consiC
1t erable amount of wheat.
to Was Joseph's Policy Just?-He sol
ig the grain to the starving people, an
y. there is no indication that he sold II &
al starvation prices. To have given
Be away would have pauperized the pe'
ID pie, and injured their character irr
en- trievably. So the British governmen
e. In dealing with the terrible famine
IN In India, enters upon large publ
in works upon which the needy native
at are employed. that they may ear
ay money to buy bread. But then. whe
ot the money gave out, Joseph took II
he peoples domestic animals In retur
for wheat; then took their land. ar
n at last themselves. emphasizing Il
final purchase by gathering the rur
II population In the cities, probably 4
convenience In feeding them. Th'
4 Joseph brought about cOmplete rev
luton In the social condition OF Il
III nation; everything now belonged
Pharaoh. The monuments show tn
II at the close OF the Hyksos dynas
there was no private ownership
l land, all Egyptians being mere tenant
a paying to the king as taxes one-if
1 A. ma mt In