The Brinkley argus., 1913-06-27
INTERNATIONAL ! SUNNSQlOOL
 LESSON s Department The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago)
LESSON FOR JUNE 29
THE VICTORIES OF FAITH.

READING LESSON--Acts 7:9- l6; Heb. II 20-22.
 GOLDEN TExT-'This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our Y faith" I John 5:4
 The reading lessons for today are a New Testament commentary upon the past quarters work. The first lesson Is taken from that marvellous defense of Stephen the first martyr. As he traces the history of the people Of Israel, he shows Gods continued ac- tivities and purposes from the hour he called Abraham until the holy one of Israel came to fill to their fitness all of these same activities and purposes. Stephen also shows us that alongside Gods activities was the equally per sistent disobedience of the people which eliminated in the betrayal and murder of that holy one. In the DOT ton selected he sets before us how Joseph is sold into Egypt, yet God was with him and delivered him; how the famine came and Jacob is thereby brought into Egypt only later to be carried back into the land of promise.
 Teach Faith.
 The second lesson is taken from that great catalogue of heroes as re- corded in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Here we have set before us the fact that Gods eternal purpose with man is ever that of faith. Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are here mentioned and the faith of each set before us.
 Leaving out the Easter lesson we have covered q period of about 50 years, eight lessons dealing with Jo- seph. and four with Jacob.
 Attention has been called to Jo- seph as one of the most remarkable types of Christ to be found in the Old Testament (see comments on lesson of April 27). As we have also sug- gested Jacob is not so grand char acter as Abraham yet is much more like the average man.
 It is interesting to go over these lessons and follow Gods purposes and to observe how like Christ Joseph was. In LESSON L we behold Jacob at the tnstigation of his mother deceiying his poor old father and being compelled to fly that he might save his life. Re bekah thought she could execute God s purposes; but it is never right to do evil that good may result.
 In LESSON II. Jehovah appeared be- fore this conscience smitten refugee and again promised tna. ~he blessing, yes, his own divine purpose, would be worked out in Jacobs life. This is 8 lesson on the grace of God.
 LESSON III. sets Jacob before us after twenty-one years service and separation from his brother Esau. This is great lesson on Gods desire and transforming power. He trans. forms Jacob to Israel prince and softened the heart of Esau. Faith overcame and is strengthened and confirmed.
 In LESSON ". we first behold Jo- seph particularly loved and favored and as bitterly hated; he was thrown into pit to die but is taken up (typical of the resurrection) and sold into slavery. The development of en- wy and the persistent, delivering pur- pose of God are here presented in strong contrast.
 LESSON V. shows Josephs enter ing that dark maze beyond which God was to highly exalt him. By faith he overcame that fierce temptation and his treatment Of his fellow prisoner was Gods useful agency though 1t seemed accidental and insignificant.
 Gods Continued Purpose.
 LESSON VI. is the completion of Lesson V. and in it we see Joseph seated in the place of po} 1T. able to save the country and also his bseth- ren.
 LESSON VII shows us Gods con- tinued purpose and the beginning of the frlfillment of his word that the descendants of Abraham were to dwell in captivity lGen. 15:13).
 LESSON VIII. is a continuation of Josephs dealings with his brothers in which their guilty consciences are still further pricked and God reveals to us his immutable purpose.
 LESSON TX. is tender one of the meeting Of Joseph and Benjamin while at the same time it suggests to us the certainty of the fact that We may 'be sure your sin will and you out" In. less covered by his forgivlng blood our sin is mercilessly upon our track.
 In LESSON x. we behold Joseph made known to his brethren and those in fear are urged to draw near. Jo seph's faith In God saved him from ar rogance and retaliation and inclined his heart to tenderness and love in lis dealings with his brothers. Even as Joseph revealed himself 10 his broth CTS 80 will Christ reveal himself.
 Jeseph's provision for his fathers and his brethren. LESSON XI., is 8 rich suggestion of our fathers bounty and care for all who are 'in Christ Jesus" By faith Joseph who Mad be come great in strange land. identi ned with all of It's power and splendol makes provision that when Gods pur pose shall be executed and the sons of Israel shall be delivered from Egypt, his bones shall be carried Into the land of the people to whom ht belonged and from whom he has se long been separated. Faith Is the Sc cret of victory. Joseph as yps teaches us the lesson of faith.