The Brinkley argus., 1913-04-25
INTERNATIONAL SUNDNS0lOOL
 LESSON CBy E. O. SELLERS. Director of Even- ing Department The Moody Bible ln- stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR APRIL 27
JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT.

l Cor. 13:4.
 This is the first of seven lessons dealing with Joseph, a fact which -sug gests to us his importance in the his tory and the working out of Gods plan This particular lesson occurs about ten years after Jacobs return to the land of Canaan. There are many points of similarity between Joseph and Christ CD His name means add ings,' see Isa 9:6, I; Luke 1:31-33 and John 3.30 co His birth which re moved Rachers reproach (30:3D even so the birth of Christ has removed the reproach of sin Col. 2:13-15, Rom S:1: (3) The love of his father, see Matt 3:17. (4) His sufferings at the hands of his brethren, Ps. 69:4: John l5.25. (5) His deliverance from pris- on which was shadow of Christ's res urrection. Acts 2:22-24. (6) His marriage to one of another race. Eph. 1:3.4. CD His revelation of himself to his brothers, see Zach. 12:10, 13: l.
 Their Envy Aroused.
 The cause of the enmity of Joseph's brethren was four-fold. CD His tale- bearing 37:2; his pure mind could not brook their infamous islanders and he reported the same to his father. (D His fathers partiality as evidenced by the coat of many colors (y. 31). Only the opulent and noble. kings sons. wore such a garment, and Joseph was thereby differentiated from his la boring brothers (3) His dreams, w. 5-7. God was revealing himself in a marked manner to this young man. which fact aroused their envy (v. III, and (4) his very virtues were re- buke to his evil-minded brothers.
 Five words will serve to fix this les. son in our minds: Deprivation, Dis grace, Deliverance. Deceit and De portation.
 I. Deprivation V. 23.-Joseph's coat was symbolical of regal power and au. thority It was not mere patch bright hues. His dreams. too. had had to do with his exaltation above his brethren. AS matter of policy. perhaps, he ought not to have worn the garment, but who can question Gods providential dealings. Rom. &: 2s. Joseph's reception was like that of Jesus. John i'll: Matt. 27:2s.
 II. Disgrace, w. 24-27.-Stripped of the coat, Joseph Is cast into pit. One wonders if the fact that there was no water there is evidence of the malignity of his nine brothers or of their somewhat tempered wrath. Jo- seph had pursued long journey and was doubtless hungry and thirsty, yet these men sat outside eating and drinking while murder lurked in their hearts w. 20. %. 26). Joseph stary' ing, was, however, in a better case than these brethren. One among them, Reuben, had averted a trag- edy (v. 22), now God intervenes and sends this way company of lshmaeL tte traders from the land of Midian (see Judges S:22-2D. Cupidity prompts both the traders and the brothers as they made merchandise of Joseph. thus avoiding murder (Gen. 4:10).
 Valued cheapIy.
 III. Deiiverapce, V. 23.-Iike az Christ was sold by one of his chosen ones, so Joseph Is sold by the very ones to whom of a right he should have looked for love and protection, and how cheaply he was valued. prob ably little more than SIP. His bitter cries were of no avail t42:2D, but this slavery was the road to a sov. ereignty.
 ". Deceit w. 29:35.-These broth CTS are an illustration of that degen eration of character which results from evil courses. It took place with in very brief time. probably not tc exceed Is years. Their jealousy was the outcome of their own evil courses The intervention of Judah and Reuben was not entirely above suspicion. and not one of them had any esteem ol the truth. They hated Joseph the dreamer because of his superior ga gacity. The commission of one sin always calls forth others in 8 vain endeavor to cover the first. Their ready willingness to deceive their aged father, and their scornful words thy sons coat" reveal the blackness of their characters and their abso lute lack of all filial love.
 V. Deportation, v. 36.-Reuben. re turning, found an empty pit. whether h, shared the profit of Joseph's sale we are left to infer. His plan oi deliverance could not. however. have succeeded, as God had other and great CT purposes in store for Joseph. As for Jacob, he had deceived his father Isaac, and Is compelled to reap as he had sown. Gal 6:7. The hated coat IS used as a means of their de ception
 This is an easy lesson to tell, but care must be taken that 1t be not over drawn. Too much description will lose the ethical and spiritual teaching. Jealousy and It's development will be enough to emphasize the moral teach ing. Be sure to emphasize Joseph as 6 type of the Christ. Do not antici pate his other and later experiences; tell your class that the story is 10 b. continued
 For the older scholars attention can be drawn to these same truths. and in addition discuss compromise. parental egotism. lack of discretion and lar disctpltne in dealing with children