The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1913-05-08
INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
(By E. o. SELLERS. Director Of Even
ing Department The Moody Bible In
stitute Of Chicago)
LESSON FOR MAY II.
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT

LESSON TEXT-Gen. 1850.
GOLDEN TEXT-"God giveth grace to
the-humble." I Peter SO.
Hope deferred maketh the heart
sick" Surely Joseph has had enough
Of deferred hope during his thirteen
years of humiliation, yet he did not
lose faith in God during those days of
the seeming failure Of Gods Word
(Ch. 40:S; 41:16) and now there is
dawning the day Of his exaltation.
Two years have elapsed since the
events Of last weeks lesson and again
his powers Of Interpretation are called
into use.
f.. Pharaoh's Dreams, Wv. 1882.
Pharaoh is perDlexed and his ~perplez-
ity recalls to the butler his forgotten
promise to his fellow prisoner, 40:14
and 41:9-13. 1t does not seem to Us
that the butler was much possessed
by honest sorrow, but rather he is i'm
PEELED by a desire to secure the ad-
vantage he felt sure would accrue If
he could succeed in securing for
Pharaoh the Interpretation Of his
dreams. He ought to have remem-
bered Joseph before this but even his
ingratitude is used Of God as a means
Of bringing Joseph to the fore at the
most opportune moment.
Did Not Eorret Cod
Joseph is a good example for pres
ent day church members to follow in
that being exalted among men or be-
ing away from home he did not forget
to confess God. Furthermore his pre-
dictions based upon his intelligent
knowledge of God came true to the
letter. The whole matter, Pharaoh's
dream and Joseph's ability as an in
terpreter were inspired established"
by God. There is no such thing as
chance in the spiritual realm any
more than in the realm of physics or
chemistry. Back Of every effort is an
adequate cause. Joseph realized this
hence his words that, "the thing is
established (~prepared) by God, and
God will shortly bring it to pass"
II. Pharaoh's Deliverer, w. 32-40.
Joseph told Pharaoh the meaning Of
his dream which had been repeated
and which seemed like two different
dreams whereas it was but one in the
lesson to be taught. 1t Is not enough,
however, to tell a man what is the
matter with him, most men know
without being told, but it lis quite an
other thing to present a rational cure.
Joseph's Interpretation commanded
Pharaoh's confidence and his suggest
ed policy is one of wisdom and good
Judgment, viz: % a man who shall
be the executive supervisor Of the
plans for meeting the impending catas-
trophy; (2) a governmental depart
ment which shall devote itself solely
to this matter, and 60 abundant stor,
age of provisions during the seven
years Of plenty.
Pharaoh's Wisdom.
This man of piety knew how to
properly improve his opportunity and
Pharaoh saw the secret of Joseph's
wisdom ". 39), "a man in whom the
spirit of God is" e Tim. 10. Phar.
aoh had the wisdom to set in author:
ity the spirit-filled man, a broad sug-
gestion for voters, business men, and
even church members. True discre-
ton is God taught ". S9) and we now
begin to see that Joseph's testimony
for God is being honored Ono. 1920
and that Joseph was worthy of the
honor and power conferred upon him
wv. 40, II, "A; CT. Matt. 2S:1S). The
ource Of Joseph's wisdom is open to
all Gas. 1:5), and MS worthiness
came because Of his obedience lisa
1:19). His training and testing had
prepared him to occupy his exalted po-
sition with proper humility and zeal.
Faithfulness Is Of great value and al
ways pays well in the long run. Jo-
seph's exaltation to power is a good
type Of Christ, (a) in the power be-
slowed upon him, Jno. 3:35; (b) in
that the power was unGnited-all the
princes were under his feet, Ps. 105:
20-22; Eph. 1902; I Peter 3:22; (c)
by the certainty of Pharaoh's promise,
II am Pharaoh" see Elk. 1913, II.
Joseph did not use his great power
for his own selfish ends as do so many
modern rulers among men. He did
not at once send for the members Of
his family and place them in lucrative
positions, but at once set about max
Ing provision for the future. It has
been suggested that the unsuccessful
Interpreters Of Pharaoh's dream must
have ridiculed Joseph but he certain
ly was sustained by the conviction
that Gods word was true and that
the years of famine we're certain to
come. This ought to admonish us to
improve our present, priceless, oppor-
tunities OTph. 5:16). Joseph's open
confession was his leaning back upon
God.
This story gives US g. remarkable
revelation of the value Of faith as the
chief element OF strength Of a man.
It is also a valuable lesson in its rev.
elation of the methods Of God in rul-
Ing and over-ruling the affairs Of men.
When we remember Joseph in a pit
because OF the hatred Of his brothers
and see him now occupying the su-
preme place Of power in Egypt 1t
seems impossible to reconcile the two
events, and yet we see how per-
fectly natural the order Of events are
and remember how God is constantly
performing these seemingly impossi'
BILE teats.
For the Weak and Nervous