McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-06-13
LESSON FOR JUNE is
JACOB BEFORE PHARAOH


JACOB BEFORE PHARAOH
LESSON TExT-Gen. 47:1-12.
GOLDEN TExT-'To them that love
God all things work together for good"
Rom 8:2S, r. v.
l. Joseph and Jacob, w. t-6. JOS
eph's meeting with his aged father is
beautiful picture. Again Judah
comes into prominence as o sort Of
ambassador in leading the old man
into this new land and to present him
before his son, who now is exalted SO
highly among the rulers Of the earth.
In this he is prophecy Of that day
when the descendants of Jacob shall
gather before Him whom they
pierced" Joseph does not await their
coming but went up to meet them"
(46:29) as they passed through the
province of Goshen.
It Is true that Jacob and his sons
came to Egypt at Pharaoh's personal
invitation (45:17. 49,, yet there were
sufficient reasons why. Joseph might
have been ashamed Of, or fearful to
associate with, these his kinsmen
His father was a plain countryman
His brothers were not an altogether
reputable crowd. And, further, they
were shepherds and every shepherd
is an abomination unto the Egyptians"
(46:34). But they are his brethren
and he was glad to confess them even
as Christ will gladly confess US.
Joseph's Great Wisdom.
We have here another evidence Of
Joseph's great wisdom in that he COM
nands them to remain IN Goshen
while he goes before them unto Pha-
raoh to prepare the way. Even SO
not all are to come at once into Pha-
raohs presence (47:2). In Acts 1913
we read that this cavalcade consisted
of three score and fifteen souls,
though this probably did not include
slayeg and other dependents. 1t is
very significant that Joseph secures
Goshen for his kinsfolk. 1t was near
to himself (45:1O 1t was separated
from all unnecessary contact with the
Egyptians ". 34) and 1t was place
superior to all others for them as
herdsmen ". 81. Joseph anticipates
Pharaoh's question ". 81 and gave
his brothers instruction how to an.
swer, but they seem to have gone
somewhat beyond In that they make
request that they might dwell In
Goshen. Joseph charged them to
speak of themselves as keepers OF
cattle. The Egyptians held shepherds
as an abomination, a religious differ.
ence. Hence this reply at once set up
a wall Of separation preventing inter
marriage and keeping the blood OF
this chosen family pure even though
1t was at the cost of a certain amount
Of contempt and ridicule. This is
therefore suggestion upon the grea,
lesson of separation. Pharaoh's atti
tude was that Of marked considers
ton, courtesy and kindness. which
was to be expected rs fitting trib
ute to Joseph to whom both he and
all Egypt owed SO much.
u. Jacob and Pharaoh, w. 7-12
Pharaoh does not seem to be overly
enthusiastic over these Ave brothers
whom Joseph presented ". 81. Aside
from the fact that they were Joseph'i
brothers, there was nothing to com
mend them. No more have we any
thing to commend us In the sight OIL
God except that we are Christ's
brethren; though that Is an abund
ance.
Pharaoh and Jacob.
:, The picture of old Jacob In the
presence of Pharaoh Is striking IL
one respect at least, the fact tha
he who came to this land for the
blessing of the sustenance of life
should bless Pharaoh Jacob confer
red upon Pharaoh In his blessing NOR,
than Pharaoh conferred upon jacob
by the opening Of all Egypt to him
self and his family. This act upoI
the part OF Jacob is suggestive of tn,
dignity Of age, and significant In 1T
revelation Of Jacobs relation to, ant
knowledge Of, the purposes Of God
Pharaoh inquiries as to Jacobs ag,
and he replies that his pilgrimage
had been 40 years. He who ha,
entered into all the rights Of the birth
right and the blessings OF Gods cove
nant people, exercised those rights
when he stands before the great Pha
raoh. He had caught the truth tina
an earthly life is but pilgrimage
We seek to strike deeply the root
| OF our present life in this presen
age. Jacobs life, much longer tina,
our average life, is but handbreadtl
upon the yardstick Of eternity and a
. vapor that soon passes away CJas
4:1D. Nor was jacobs life long b,
comparison with that OF his ancestor
". 81 Verify, this is lesson W
need today that we may get US
heart of wisdom" Cps. s0:12, r. ".
Men, like Jacob, who live by faith Il
God occupy the places of true author
ity and power in the world The
may stand In the presence of king
and all of earth's greatest and b
right confer blessings upon them.
Conclusion. Not included in on
lesson. but In this section, we hav
set before us Joseph's administrato
Of the affairs OF Egypt which give u
further insight into the greatness G
this man. In the close of the lesso
proper, verses 11-i2, there Is presente
to us Joseph's provision for his fathe
and his brethren. This Is type {
Christ In His care for US. In tn
midst Of dangers (Jno. 1910, 2S) an
| f-~.E~~ Aar H.