The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-05-20

Jacobs plaintive cry as uttered in
verse six of this chapter touches the
heart of any father, but God is work.
Ing out his plan unknown to jacob
The brothers must have been i'm.
pressed by Joseph's words that thew
should dare starvation, and their IA
theirs grief and anger, rather than re-
turn to Egypt without their brother
BENJAMIN.
Judah, who before had sought to de-
liver Joseph, now offers to become
surety for BENJAMIN. Thus it was
that Jacob was persuaded, but to
make as good an impression as DOS
sible with this strange Egyptian ruler
Jacob directed that in addition to the
necessary funds present also be pre-
| pared (43:1D, and remembering the
strange return of the money before.
that this time double portion be-
taken. Two words will serve to di-
vide the lesson. Fear and Feasting.
Sought His Brother.
J. Fear w. 1925. Ordinarily
such an invitation to Joseph's house
would be considered a great honor.
but in this strange land and possessed
by guilty conscience we read. "And
the men were afraid" They who So
carelessly sold their brother into sIa.
very are themselves fearful of becom-
ing "bondmen." Joseph did seek an
occasion against them but it was that
he might secure his brother BENJAMIN
(tfe others were only half-brothers)
to abide with him in Egypt. Notice.
how eagerly they explain the matter.
OF the money in their sacks to the
steward. The steward seeks to reas-
sure them by telling them that, "your
God, the God of your father hath CIV
en- you treasure in your sacks" In
deed God had, but he gave them their
blessing through another. Even so
we through grace are blessed by
means of another who is our Joseph.
Christ is constantly seeking to reas-
sure our hearts.
ii. Feasting, Wv. 1854. In last
weeks lesson we beheld these broth
ers bowling before Joseph even as hica
dream had indicated (37:5-S) and now
q second time they are on their faces
before him. They had Dragged that
IT should never be so, 1--WE shall see"I
lSE2O) and indeed they are now see
ing. Tnat man who says to God "I
Will not IN the end is always COM
pe&led to do that very thing he in his
pride said he would not do. Those
VINO now mock our Joseph will in the
end be compelled to do him obeisance.
Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10 It was that
Joseph might gain his brother Benia-
min that he made all of these DELAYS
n revealing himself to his other
'rothers. AS we have seen BENJAMIN
vas Joseph's only full brother 1922
stc., and had had no part in the con-
piracy against Joseph, hence Joseph's
leart went out in great love for Ben
amin, Wv. 1881. Joseph's tears were
10 sign of weakness but rather of
trength, John 11:35; Tim. ia. Such
manifestation of emotion ought never
o be suppressed.
Bold Pretense.
Joseph knew full well how tn con.
rol his emotions ". 81 till the pron-
+ time. Joseph w. I'D is fearful that
is father might have passed away vet
is question does not reveal his iden-
NY. we wonder if there must not
ave Deen some suspicion in the
llnos OF these Hebrews when their
gyptlan host told the exact order of
lelr respective ages, v. 33 (see also
:1z), and that perhaps Joseph might
tier all be alive. Doubtless their
iliIy consciences were again aroused
men they beheld their youngest
rother singled out for such manifest
". 34. They, however,
ade bold pretense and drank
rgely, Il. ", making merry to cover
elr confusion. If their drink caused
toxlcation we DO not know. Any
wv they are not held before us as
example in this particular, nor
'es the biblical account demand that
oefend them in this matter.
rms was a strange feast. The sight
BENJAMIN recalls to Joseph the
emorles of home and mother and
USED MIN to retire from the pres
ce Of his brothers lest he reveal
~~~~0AeA Lilo ISctI6. IA6LuIUs
ne restraints his emotions while
the same time his brothers are Ia
ring under the constraint of their
lrs. What differing emotions haunt
memories recall. Joseph'a mem
les I'LL him with love and tenderness
Tile the brothers are filed with sus-
lion of the entertainment they are
sewing
The golden text as applied to Jo-
pa reveals the secret of the strength
his character. To abide in the
ut is to be always true to God. 1t
ans to reveal ultimately the mean
OF the darkness. All of this comes
more clearly when Joseph at last
y reveals himself to his brothers.
walk In the light alone will enable
TO keep the golden rule for Love
goodness in action" This is a ten
lesson to relate to the young and
the older we might discuss such s
z9tlnnu q