The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-06-14
LESSON FOR JUNE IS
JACOB BEFORE PHARAOH

JACOB BEFORE PHARAOH
LESSON TEXT-Gen. 47:l-l2.
GOLDEN TEXT-"To them that Iowa
God all things work together FOR good"
Rom. S:2S. X. V.
!. Joseph ard Jacob, w. 10. JOS
eph's meeting with his aged father is
a beautiful picture. Again Judah
comes into prominence as 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
whep the descendants of Jacob shall
gather before Him whom they
pierced" Joseph does not await their
coming but went up to meet them"
(46:29) 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, 49,, yet there were
sufficient reasons why Joseph might
have been ashamed of, or fearful to
associate with. these his kinsmen.
His father was 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 ". 81. 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
small Of Uaanaro ~
cattle. The Egyptians held shepherds
as an abomination, a religious differ
ence. Hence this reply at once set up
wall of separation preventing inter-
marriage and keeping the blood of
this chosen family pure even though
it was at the cost of a certain amount
Of contempt and ridicule. This is
therefore a suggestion upon the great
lesson of separation. Pharaoh's atti-
tude was that of marked considera-
ton, courtesy and kindness, which
was to be expected as a fitting trib-
ute to Joseph to whom both he and
all Egypt owed so much.
u. Jacob and Pharaoh, w. TIP.
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 Sbund-
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 its
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 a pilgrimage.
We seek to strike deeply the roots
of our present life in this present
age. Jacobs life, much longer than
our average life, is but handbreadth
upon the yardstick of eternity and as
vapor that soon passes away Uas.
| 4:14. Nor was Jacobs life long by
comparison with that of his ancestors
". 81. Verify, this is a lesson we
need today that we may get us a
heart of wisdom" FPS. 90:12. R. W
Men, like Jacob, who live by faith in
| God occupy the places of true author
ity and power in the world. They
| may stand in the presence of kings
| and all of earth's greatest and by
! right confer blessings upon them.
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