The Elbert County tribune., 1913-06-13

GOLDEN TExT-.To them that love
God all things work together for good"
Rom. S:28, r. ".
!. Joseph and Jacob, w. 1-6. JOS
eph's meeting with his aged father is
beautiful picture. Again Judah
comes into prominence as a sort of
ambassador In leading the old man
into this new land and to present him
before his son. who now is exalted SO
highly among the rulers of the earth.
In this he is a prophecy Of that day
when the descendants of Jacob shall
gather before Him whom they
pierced" Joseph does not await their
coming but went up to meet them"
(46:2s) as they passed through the
province of Goshen.
1t is true that Jacob and his SONS
came to Egypt at Pharaoh's personal
invitation (45:17, 1s), yet there were
sufficient reasons why Joseph might
have been ashamed of, or fearful to
associate with, these his kinsmen.
His father was j plain countryman.
His brothers were not an altogether
reputable crowd. And, further, they
were shepherds and every shepherd
is an abomination unto the Egyptians"
(46:34). But they are his brethren
and he was glad to confess them even
as Christ will gladly confess us.
Joseph's Great Wisdom.
We have here another evidence of
Joseph's great wisdom in that he COM
mands them to remain in Goshen
while he goes before them unto Pha-
raoh to prepare the way. Even SO
not all are to come at once into Pha-
raoh's presence (47:2). In Acts 7:13
we read that this cavalcade consisted
Of three score and fifteen souls,
though this probably did not include
slaves and other dependents. 1t is
very significant that Joseph secures
Goshen for his kinsfolk 1t was near
to himself (45:10); it was separated
from all unnecessary contact with the
Egyptians ". 34) and it was a place
superior to all others for them as
herdsmen ". g.. Joseph anticipates
Pharaoh's question ". 81 and, gave
his brothers instruction how to an
swer, but they seem to have gone
somewhat beyond in that they make
request that they might dwell in
Goshen. Joseph charged them to
speak of themselves as keepers of
cattle.
II. Jacob and Pharaoh, w. ZIP.
Pharaoh does not seem to be overly
enthusiastic over these five brothers
whom Joseph presented ". 81. Aside
from the fact that they were Joseph's
brothers, there was nothing to COM
mend them. No more have we any
thing to commend US in the sight Of
God except that we are Christ's
brethren; though that is an abund-
ance,
Pharaoh and Jacob.
The picture of old Jacob in the
presence of Pharaoh is striking in
one respect at least, the fact that
he who came to this land for the
blessing of the sustenance of life,
should bless Pharaoh. Jacob confer
red upon Pharaoh in his blessing more
than Pharaoh conferred upon Jacob
by the opening OF all Egypt to him
self and his family. This act upon
the part of Jacob is suggestive of the
dignity of age. and significant In it's
revelation of Jacobs relation to, and
knowledge Of. the purposes of God.
Pharaoh inquiries as to Jacobs age
and he replies that his pilgrimage
had been 120 years. He who had
entered into all the rights of the birth
right and the blessings of Gods cove
nant people, exercised those rights
when he stands before the great Pha-
raoh. He had caught the truth that
an earthly life is but pilgrimage.
Conclusion. Not included In our
lesson, but in this section, we have
set before us Joseph's administration
Of the affairs of Egypt which give US
further insight into the greatness of
this man. In the close of the lesson
proper, verses 11-12. there is presented
to us Joseph's provision for his father
and his brethren. This is type Of
Christ in His care for us. In the
midst of dangers (Jno. 1910, 2s) and
famine. and misunderstanding He is
ever near. Joseph is now satisfied for
he has Ills own near unto him. Jesus
Christ is longing that we may be with
Him in tha place which He has gone
to prepare for US, John 14:2, :, II, "a,
though He has not left us comfortless
during these days of separation, John
14:23. Joseph fed his brothers on
the best the land afforded ". III. even
SO we may have the old corn (Josh.
Sid and the new wine prov. 3:9,
1O). We thus see how God is work
ing out His purpose concerning the
Hebrew people.
Taken away from the peril into which
Judah fell (chapter 3S), and the
threatened famine. also from the hos
tility of the other shepherd races
among whom they dwelt, they are
brought into Egypt and are there sep
arated and yet supplied as Gods plan