Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-27
for SUNDAY &cbool8.
STAR LESSON FOR APRIL 80.
By Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, DID,,
AMERICAN SOCIETY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
JOSEPH GENESIS XXxIX:2o

! spiritual world. There were no materialists
In those days. Philosophy had not robbed
men of their faith in the unseen and imma-
terial realities. They also felt impressed
with the phenomenal character of the rep
reservations, so novel and interesting. quite
beyond the range of parable. Withal, they
We're In suspense, for they knew no
who could interpret them. 1t is possible
that they sought the advice of soothsayers
and failed, although probably they We're
convinced that the matters were beyond
the knowledge of any of the wise men of
Egypt. When morning came their faces
Joseph inquired why they appeared so sad
Their frank statement enabled him to do
good service for God, and he requested that
the substance of the dreams should be
given to him that he might make eXplana-
tion at the same time disclaiming wisdom
and asserting that God only could interpret
dan ii:2S.D
REC1TE1D oversees 9-1D-The chief but
Ter was the first to give account of his
dreams. which was in the line of his &C
customed duty, but shaped and colored
as to appeal to the ina gination He served
Pharaoh with the wine cup, in other
days but by a new process in which the
preparation for the service presented
in a panorama. He had first a vine,
then he had observed that there We're three
branches budded and put forth blossoms,
and then clusters of ripe grapes appeared.
With his hand he pressed the juice of the
grapes into the cup and delivered 1t to the
king. That was the highest kind of official
service. By it the best quality of beverage
was provided. 1t is possible that this cover
ed the very point that had displeased the
king, but the butler saw himself perform
ing faithfully and well what he had before
done imperfectly-what had led to his i'm
prisonment. Its interest was measurably
increased as he recalled and recited the
facts before Joseph, a prisoner, a Hebrew
servant, known as the child of God.
EXPLAINED oversees 12-15)-Joseph
then Interpreted the dream, which was a
symbolic representation of what would soon
occur The butler would be restored to his
old position after three days. The ca PRECIOUS
king, who froWned one day and smiled the
next, would recall his officer to service. The
delivery of this comforting Information made
by the Hebrew youth in such simple and
direct way, was accompanied by request
Joseph thought 1t a favorable time to assert
his innocence and to declare the manner Of
leaving his kindred. His own words and
spirit would help to convince the butler that
his statements were true. The obligations
under which the latter was placed by the
good service rendered warranted the hope
that there might be some interposition in
his behalf at the court. His desire was
frankly stated to be brought out of prison
However useful he might be there, he
longed for liberty and for vindica ton. 1t
was the natural impulse of good heart to
be set right before men and among men.
REFLECTIONS-Ou lesson is incom-
plete mere fragment of the history of the
purest man in patriarchal times That
prison experience may be considered a
blessing both in its immediate and remote
influences. 1t brought Joseph into favor
with the captain of the guard and made
him kind of missionary to an Egyptian
officer. If the chief element In the life of a
good man is usefulness there no reason
to feel that the days of confinement were
wasted. Surely no harm came to him, and
the story is another Illustration of the fact
that God protects His own q Peter iii:13).
haX 11-,1 I,,+,,
Influence upon the young man. causing him
to rely more fully upon God. But the effect
upon his after carer UNNECESSARILY
greater than any present gain. 1t may be
safely affirmed that If Joseph had not gone
to prison he would not afterward have
been elevated to the high place of authority