The Brinkley argus., 1913-05-23


 brother abideth in the light" l John 2:lC
 Jacobs plaint.ve cry as uttered il verse six of this chapter touches tn heart of any father. but God is work ing out his plan unknown to Jacob The brothers must have been i'm pressed by Josephs words that the. should dare starvation, and their ia ther's grief and anger, rather than re turn to Egypt without their brothe Benjamin.
 Judah, who before had sought to de liver Joseph. now offers to becom' surety for Benjamin. Thus 1t wal that Jacob was persuaded. but t make as good an impression as pos sible with this strange Egyptian rule' Jacob directed that in addition to the necessary funds a present also be pre- pared (43:1D, and remembering tho strange return of the money before that this time a double portion bs taken Two words will serve to di 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 SC 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 (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 giv- en you treasure in your sacks" h. deed God had, but he gave them their blessing through another. Even so we through grace are blessed by means of another who is our Joseph. Christ Is constantly seeking to reas- sure our hearts.
 II. Fsasting, w. 26-34. In last weeks lesson we beheld these broth CTS lowing before Joseph even as his dream had indicated 7:5-8) and now . second time they are on their faces before him. They had bragged that 1t should never be 80, i've shall see" (37:zo) and indeed they are now see ing. That man who says to God "I will not" in the end Is always com pelled to do that very thing he in his pride said he would not do Those who now mock our Joseph will m the end be compelled to do him obeisance, Rom s4:11, Phil. 2:10 It was that 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. 29-31. Joseph's tears were no sign of weakness but rather Of strength, John 11:35; Tim. l 4. Such a manifestation of emotion ought never to be suppressed.
 Bold Pretense.
 Joseph knew full well how to con trol his emotions (v. 3D till the prop CT time. Joseph (v. 27) Is fearful that his father might have passed away yet his question does not reveal his iden tity. We wonder If there must not have been some suspicion in tht minds of these Hebrews when theil Egyptian host told the exact order ol their respective ages. V. B (see alst 44:12). and that perhaps Joseph migh, after all be alive. Doubtless theil guilty condolences were again aroused when they beheld their younges brother singled out for such manifes partiality (v. 34. They. however made . bold pretense and "dranl largely" R. v.. making merry to cove their confusion. If their drink caused intoxication we do not know. Any how they arc not held before us al an example in this particular. mol does the biblical account demand tha we defend them in this matter
 This was . strange feast The sigh of Benjamin recalls to Joseph th' memories of home and mother ant caused him to retire from the pres ence of his brothers lest he revea himself through his tears. Return ing he restraints his emotions whil' at the same time his brothers are la boring under the constraint of thei fears. What differing emotions haunt ing memories recall. Joseph's mem ories i'll him with love and tenderness while the brothers are filled with sus plcion of the entertainment they ar, receiving.
 The golden text as applied to Jo seph reveals the secret of the strengtl of his character To abide in tn. light Is to be always true to God. | means to reveal ultimately the mean ing of the darkness All Of this comei out more clearly when Joseph at las fully reveals himself to his brothers To walk in the light alone will enable us to keep the golden rule for Low is goodness in action This is ten der lesson to relate to the young ant for the older we might discuss sucl questions as Emotion and Religion What is 1t to walk in the light. The in tellect and emotions.
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