McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-05-23

Jacobs plaintiye 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 Inn
pressed by Joseph's words that they
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 1t was
that Jacob was persuaded. but to
make as good an impression as pos
sible with this strange Egyptian ruler
Jacob directed that in addition to the
necessary funds present also be pre-
pared (43:11), and remembering the
strange return of the money before,
that this time double portion be
taken. Two words will serve to d.
vide the lesson. Fear and Feasting.
Sought His Brother.
!. 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 sla-
very are themselves fearful Of becom-
ing "bondmen." Joseph did seek an
occasion against them but 1t was that
he might secure his brother Benjamin
1.-THE 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
on you treasure in your sacks" In
deed God had, but he gave them their
blessing through another. Even SC
we through grace are blessed by
means of another who is our Joseph
Christ is constantly seeking to reas-
sure our hearts, Luke 1896; John
14:27 and Phil. 4:6,7. Simeon whom
they had left as hostage is brought
out by Joseph's steward, but still
their fear is not wholly allayed and
30 they made ready their present
". 25) though 1t was OF no merit, even
os men, today seek merit In the sight
Of God by giving Of their possessions
(Eph. 2:8).
u. FeastIng, w. 1884. In last
weeks lesson we beheld these broth
ers bowling before Joseph even as his
dream had indicated (37:bs) and now
. second time they are on their faces
before him. They had Dragged that
1t should never be SO. I'VE shall see"
(37:20) and indeed they are now see
ing. That man who says to God II
will not" in the end Is always COM
PEELED to do that very thing he In his
pride said he would not do. Those
who 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 Benja-
min that he made all Of these delays
in revealing himself to his other
brothers. As we have seen BENJAMIN
was Joseph's only full brother 30:22
ETC.. and had had no part In the con
spiracy against Joseph. hence Joseph's
heart went out In great love for Ben.
jamin, w. 1881. Joseph's tears were
no sign Of weakness but rather Of
strength, John 1895; Tim. Ia. Such
q manifestation OF emotion ought never
to be suppressed.
Bold Pretense.
Joseph knew full we'll how to CON.
troll his emotions ". 81 till the prop
er time. Joseph ". ~ Is fearful that
his father might have passed away yet
bis question does not reveal his iden-
tity. We wonder II there must not
have been some suspicion in the
minds Of these Hebrews when their
Hgyptian host told the exact order Of
their respective ages. ~. 80 (ses also
44:l3), and that perhaps Joseph might
AFTER all be alive. Doubtless their
guilty conscisnces we're again aroused
when they beheld their youngest
brother singled out for such manifest
partiality ". 34). They. however.
made . bold pretense and drank
largely" r. ". making merry to cover
their confusion. II their drink caused
amortization We do not know. Any.
how they are not held before u a.
an example in, this particular. nor
does the biblical account demand that
we defend them In this matter.
This was 4 strange feast. The sight
Of BENJAMIN recalls to Joseph the
memories Of home and mother and
caused him to retire from the prea.
ence Of his brothers lest he reveal
himself through his tears. Return.
ing he Restraints his emotions while
at the same time his brothers are Ia
boring under the constraint OF their
fears. What differing emotions haunt.
ing memories recall. Joseph's mem.
cries I'LL him with love and tenderness
while the brothers are filled with suss
picion Of the entertainment they are
receiving. Coincidence doth make
towards Of US all" How great is 10.
seph's character. A faith that had
sustained Joseph during adversely
now aids him to control himself In
the day of his power. lest he let jus.
tice have its full measure.
TIE golden text as applied to 10.
seph reveals the secret Of the strength
OF his character. To abide In the
light IL to be always true to God. Ii
means to reveal ultimately the mean,
ing OF the darkness. All OF this comes
out more clearly when Joseph at last
fully reveals himself to his brothers.
To walk In the li9ht aione win opa Ma