Delaware City press. (Delaware City, Del.) 1913-19??, 1913-05-09

~''S t''-'1S' 49, 49,
"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. 40:8; 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.
! I. Pharaoh's Dreams, w. 1852.
Pharaoh is perplexed and his perplex-
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 inn
PEELED by a desire to secure the adj
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 means
of bringing Joseph to the fore at the
most opportune moment.
Did Not Forget God.
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
4 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 1t to pass"
II. Pharaoh's Deliverer, w. 33-4o.
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. It is not enough,
however, to tell man what Is the
matter with him, most men know
! without being told, but 1t is quite an
other thing to present a rational cure.
Josephs Interpretation commanded
Pharaohs confidence and his suggest.
I ed policy is one of wisdom and good
Judgment, viz: ID a man who shall
. be the executive supervisor Of the
u plans for meeting the impending catas-
. trophy; (2) a governmental depart
ment which shall devote itself solely
3 to this matter and t3) 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 ". 3S), "a man in whom the
spirit of God is" e Tim. I'D. 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 ". 39) and we now
begin to see that Joseph's testimony
for God is being honored Ono 1925,
and that Joseph was worthy of the
honor and power conferred upon hin
wv. 40, Al, "A; CT. Matt. 2S:1S). Thu
source of Joseph's wisdom is open tt
all GAS. 1:5), and his worthines
came because of his obedience Elsa
1:19). His training and testing ha,
prepared him to occupy his exalted pc
sition with proper humility and zeal
Faithfulness is of great value and al
ways pays we'll in the long run. JIG
seph's eSaltation to power is goo
type of Christ, (a) in the power be
slowed upon him, Jno. 1875; (b) il
that the power was unlimited-all tn
princes were under his feet, Ps. 105
20-22; Eph. 1:20-22; Peter 1922; &c
p by the certainty OF Pharaohs promise
n 81 am Pharaoh" see Elk. 1913, IA.
N Joseph did not use his great powa
IA for his own selfish ends as do so man
~ modern rulers among men. He di
~ not at once send for the members c
his family and place them in lucrativ
ed positions but at once set about NAL
Is. ing provision for the future. 1t ha
rs, been suggested that the unsuccessful
re interpreters of Pharaoh's dream mus
ed have ridiculed Joseph but he certain
ng ly was sustained by the convictio
nd that Gods word was true and tina
of the years of famine we're certain
come. This ought to admonish us I
vn improve our present, priceless. oppo
,if- tunities (Eph. 5;16). Joseph's ope
lat confession was his leaning back upo
ex- God.
i'd, This story gives US a remarkabl
lily revelation of the value of faith as th
chief element of strength of a maj
to It is also valuable lesson I'M rs re
citation of the methods of Cod ru
'er ing and over-ruling the affairs d ne
i'm When we remember Joseph inn p
ad because Of the hatred of his broA, q
is and see him now occupying the .
les preme place of power in Egypt
ON seems impossible to reconcile the tv
3 events, and yet we see how pc
to fectiy natural the order Of events a