Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-06-11
LESSON FOR JUNE 8
JOSEPH FoRolVEs HIS BRETHREN
I lesson ,rExT-Gen. Bl-i5.

I
No story Of the Old Testament is {
fraught with greater dramatic inter !
est than that which Is presented to-
day Let us get the setting OF the pic.
ture An opulent oriental court; that
man who next to Pharaoh exercised
more power than any congress or as
sembly, and into whose hands had
been placed the destinies Of a king
dom by earthly power and the out
working OF the plan Of redemption
by a divine power. Servants. power,
resources, all at Joseph's command.
Before him his brothers who long ago
gave him up as being dead. Out
side great calamity resting upon the
people, and none prepared to meet II
except these Of Egypt whose provi-
sion was the result Of the work OF
this man Of God Il. Tim. 4:S). Be
fore this man, as humble supplicants,
we see those who "entreated him de-
spitefully" Judah's speech was a
revelation to Joseph, It satisfied him.
and what need, therefore, for further
delay in revealing himself In his true
character?
Saving Love.
|, Revelation, w. i-3.-Excluding
all from his presence, saving his broth
ers, Joseph gave full vent to his Joy
and rejoicing. Il am Joseph; doth
my father yet liver" Their astonish-
ment was so great as to leave them
speeches., and again haunting memo
ries condemn them to fear and fore
boding for they we're troubled In his
presence" We have here beautiful
picture of forgiveness and saving love,
and also a wonderful foreshadowing
of Jesus dealing with his erring broth
ers, the Jews. When he was here
upon earth they rejected him and 1t
has been among the Gentiles that he
has been exalted even as was Joseph
In Egypt.
= The exaltation Of Jesus was to
give repentance to Israel through the
= forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:S1. Even
s so did Joseph bring repentance to his
0 brothers and forgiveness of their
n wrongs toward him % years before.
Y Joseph's severe dealings with his
q brothers aroused them to a full recog.
= milton of their evil deeds and pre-
IS pared them to receive his pardon and
Il forgiveness.
. But the cup is full, no longer can
2 he restrain himself, and with a loud
ID voice, 80 loud that 1t could be heard
ID without, he cried Il am Joseph.
lie Small wonder that at such procla
ID nation by him whom they had sc
IL grievously wounded, they were trou
y bled." SO shall 1t be when the breth
10 rem of Jesus shall look upoL hin
y whom they have pierced" Zech. ~
10.
i'll II. Reconciliation, w. 4a.-Th,
'e- greatness of Joseph Is here revealed
lb in clear, true light He interpret
cd to his brothers their own actions wit
De- all that God has involved in 1t, whicI
m must have been a great surprise t
to his brothers Joseph does not wal
he for them to fall at his feet and su
en- for mercy, but seeks to allay thei
lis fears, Come near to me l pray you.
These who by their wicked work
were rightfully alienated from hill
are invited to draw nigh, Col. liz
&C.; and Matt. 1928. Joseph's invitatiO
rh is made assured to them by b
fin words Il am your brother" Thus "
,as see that Gods purpose is performe
in and that what they intended for ev
God intended for good verify, tt
ov. wrath Of man is made to praise him
inc. Joseph's Grace,
,ft- Joseph was as one who was dei
ter and out OF that came lie ror those
ma his own family as well as those OF
side. Even so God has brought life
,ed many out Of the death of Jesus, woT
10 ing salvation for all out of the me-
~ colossal and infamous crime ever pr
petrated-the cricifxion. Joseph W
ant sent" ". y, to save those very on
of John I'D. 1t was great delivt
Iesg ence," see Heb. 2:3. Here, again,
G. see Joseph's intimate relations wi
God, 1T was not you that sent me hi
or. but God" That Ia the right W
to look at life, Rom. 1928. Jose
lrty might have shown these men an
ina depreciation of his life and acted
in wards them "in strict justice" by
the ecuting upon them the just penalty
Their their acts, but his fellowship W
here God, and the support to his ia
one gained during the past % years, Ga
him grace in this, his hour Of pow
on to succor his father and his brothe
man and to bring them into a place
peace and prosperity, The lessons
man, strength and tenderness which {
man had taught him gave him restrain
York mower and compassion towards
brothers.
III. Proclamation, w. Oils
very news of this meeting came to F
: bee raoh, Wv. g. 16, with the result
from he commanded Jacob and all of
9th household to be brought into Egg,
more Having received good things tn
selves, they are commanded to
with haste, and tell others, Matt. 2
Iinols The first call is always come" ".
for and that is always followed by
5000 command of to Ego" ". 81. JOS
was not ashamed of his old father
his brothers in the days Of his ?
houid perity, and added that when
down ohould dwell Ia Egypt they weE'
be near unto me-" see Phil.
John 14:3. When the brothers reat
vatch- Jacob and told him that Joseph
-arted alive and exalted in Egypt he c