Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-24

multitude from starvation during th'
famine and at the same time completed,
revolutionized their political and econom
ical constitutions.
The prosperity of Egypt. due to the con
servation policy Of Joseph. that hat
stored during the years Of plenty the
overproduction of the Nile country In
vast granaries, had drawn the nations tt
him seeking corn and grain-Wltn
others. his brothers that twenty years be-
fore had in their envy. revenge and jeal-
ousy, cast him into the pit from which he
passed into slavery and prison on his
providential journey to the throne. Sup
piled with provisions to meet their tenn
porary needs. they had returned to the
encampment Of their father charged with
being spies, their brother Simeon in pris.
on to be held as a hostage until they re.
turned with their brother Benjamin as
evidence that they sought only food.
The pressure OF the famine and the i'm
perative need Of a new food supply
found Jacob, or Israel. unwilling to al
low Benjamin to be separated from him.
He had not learned the comfort of God
in his great sorroWs. for he recalled the
heavy blows that had fallen upon him
in the loss of Joseph and Simeon. claim
ing that the loss Of Benjamin would kill
him. He counted his apparent sacrifices
while he did not see the providential
link that was being forged to bind his
family into loving fellowship and fulfill
the prophecies and promises of Jehovah.
We too frequently find ourselves over
come by our trials troubles and tribula-
tons. crying out against God when we
ought to be crying out for the presence
of the Holy Spirit to comfort us and
show us how that when we put away
from US the dearest and best things that
belong to our hearts God will give them
back again to us, multiplied in strength,
and beauty. and freshness
Suffering, Sorrow, Submission.
The aged patriarch refused to be moved
by the desperate proposal of Reuben
(43:3O. and finally. when the crying need
for food pressed heavier. Jacob listened
to Judah's accurate and frank statement
Of the crucial conditions OF the family
along to establish their innocence and
provide the proof required by the man
who superintendent the granaries of
Egypt. The sons were loyal to Israel
but they feared to go into the land OF
prosperity without their younger brother
They knew what was due them for their
action u Joseph. and IL they had known
that he was the ruler they would not
have been more afraid. The sufferings
of the family and the sorrows written
upon the face Of loved ones finally moved
Israel to submit to send Benjamin.
While Jacob may be considered to have
acted Inconsistency in submitting TO his
youngest son accompanying his brothers
on their second trip to Egypt. he was
moved by a sense OF duty. 1t is far
better that we act in accordance with
principle than TO be governed by foolish
consistency. The wise man listens to
reason and reforms his plans. The rash
man obstinately carries out his program
without considering the consequences of
his actions. for III he has once formu-
lated his decisions he will carry them
out at all hazards.
The combination of religion with bust
ness sagacity marked not only the life OF
Jacob. but also his son Joseph. There is
no need today TO divorce. as many be-
Heve, religion from business. Joseph
never lowered his standards to secure
position. prestige or power. In that he
initiated some Of the traits OF his father
who sent his sons forth upon their Sec
ond trip, trusting in Ell Shaddai God Al
yet followed the eastern custom
of sending appropriate gifts for the great
consisting of "a little balsam and
a little honey. gum tragacanth, lab
pistachio nuts and almonds" and
also the purchase money that they found
in the mouths of the sacks upon their
return for fear that some mistake had
been made.
Jacob had learned i'm the hard school
Of bitter experience that it did not pay