McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-04-25
LESSON FOR APRIL IT
JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT.

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 "a His name means add
ings," see lisa. 90. Z; Luke 1918 and
John $3.50. (2) His birth which re-
moved Rachers reproach (30:34) even
30 the birth of Christ has removed
the reproach of sin, Col. 2:13-15. Rom.
ST.; 90 The love of hts father, see
Matt. 3:17. "a His sufferings at the
hands of his brethren, Ps. 69:4; John
1925. 60 His deliverance from pris-
on which was shadow Of Christ's res
direction, Acts 2:22-24. icy His
marriage to one of another race, Eph.
1894. CD His revelation of himself
to his brothers, see Zach. 1910, 1871.
Their Envy Aroused.
The cause of the enmity of Joseph's
brethren was four-fold. "a His tale
bearing, 1872; his pure mind could not
brook their Infamous ISLANDERS and he
reported the same to his father. (2)
His fathers Partially as evidenced by
the coat of many colors ". 81. 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.
81. God was revealing himself in a
marked manner to this young man,
which fact aroused their envy ". III,
and "a his very virtues were a re-
buke to his evil-minded brothers.
Joseph's readiness to obey his fa-
Their ". 49, and his mission to his
brothers w. 14) are proper intro
duction to the lesson. Meeting with
opposition ivy. IA, 15). Joseph re-
veals his persistent purpose by fol-
lowing his brothers to Dothan where
he found them" A like spirit actu-
ated that teacher in Boston. Edward
Kimball, who led d. L. Moody to &C.
cept Christ as his Saviour.
Five words will serve to fix this les
son in our minds: Deprivation, Dis
grace, Deliverance, Deceit and De-
portation.
/. Deprivation v. 23.-Joseph's coat
was symbolical Of regal power and au-
thority. 1t was not mere patch
work, but q long woven garment Of
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. g.:
20. 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 II 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 AMI
drinking while murder lurked In their
hearts w. 20, 81. 26). Joseph starv-
ing, was, however, In q better case
than these brethren. One among
them, Reuben, had averted trag.
edy ". 22), now God intervenes and
sends this way company Of Ishmael-
tie traders from the land Of indian
(see Judges S.22-24). Cupidity prompts
both the traders and the brothers as
they made merchandise Of Joseph.
thus avoiding murder (Gen. 4:10).
Conscience may sleep. but 1t never
dies" Long years after. like q spec
ter. this days doings arose to accuse
those men, see 1921. This pit ints
which Joseph was cast Is type in
shadow of the death and burial Of
Jesus.
Valued cheapIy.
III. Deliverance, v. 26.-Like az
Christ was sold by one Of his chosen
ones, so Joseph is sold by the very
ones to whom OF right he should
have looked for love and protection.
and how cheaply he was valued, prob
ably q little more than $12. His bitter
cries were of no avail t42:2D, but
this slavery was the road to SOW
ereignty. He went before according
to Gods plan. that he might deliver
others (50:20). God brought It to
pass that these traders should pass
Dothan at the right moment, Matt.
27:4e, and out OF this experiences
there came to Joseph great gain and
glory, see Phil. 2:s-11.
w. Deceit w. 2s:35.-These broth
ers are an illustration Of that degen.
GRAFTON OF character which results
from evil courses. 1t took place with
in very brief time, probably not to
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 Of
the truth. They hated Joseph the
dreamer because Of his superior sa
gacity. The commission Of one sin
always calls forth others In a vain
endeavor to cover the first. Their
ready willingness to deceive theii
aged father. and their scornful words
thy sons coat" reveal the blackness
Of their characters and their abso
lutte lack Of all filial love. Particular
mention 10 made of Jacobs grief
though no suggestion 10 made Of any
tears Of others. What hypocritei
Shey were who rose up to comfort
Jacob.
v. Deportation, '. ss.-Reuben. 70
turning. found an empty pit, whethel
h, shared the profit Of Joseph's sale
we are left to infer. His plan oil
deliverance could not, however, have
succeeded, - God had other and great
er purposes in store for Joseph. Al
for Jacob. he had deceived his fathel
| Isaac, and IL compelled to reap ~