Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-06-26
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
THE VICTORIES OF FAITH.

faith / John ga.
The reading lessons for today are q
New Testament commentary upon the
past quarters work. The first lesson
is taken from that marvellous defense
OF stephen the first martyr. AS he
traces the history of the people of
Israel, he shows Gods continued nc.
tivities and purposes from the hour he
called Abraham until the holy one of
Israel came to fill to their fulness all
of these same activities and purposes,
Stephen also shows us that alongside
Gods activities was the equally per
sistent disobedience of the people
which eliminated In the betrayal and
murder of that holy one. In the por-
ton selected he sets before us how
Joseph is sold into Egypt, yet God was
with him and delivered him; how tho
famine came and Jacob is thereby
brought into Egypt only later to be
carried back into tho land of promise.
Teach Faith.
The second lesson is taken from
that great catalogue of heroes as re-
corded in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Here we have set before us the fact
that Gods eternal purpose with man
Is ever that OF faith. Isaac, Jacob
and Joseph are here mentioned and
the faith of each set before us.
Leaving out the Easter lesson we
have covered period OF about so
years, eight lessons dealing with Jo-
seph. and four with Jacob.
Attention has been called to Jo-
seph as one OF the most remarkable
types of Christ to be found in the Old
Testament (see comments on lesson
of April 27). AS we have also sug-
gested Jacob is not so grand char.
acter as Abraham yet is much more
like the average man.
1t Is interesting to go over these
lessons and follow Gods purposes and
to observe how like Christ Joseph was.
In LESSON l. we behold Jacob at the
instigation of his mother deceiving his
poor old father and being compelled
to fly that he might save his life. Re-
bekah thought she could execute Gods
purposes; but it is never right to do
evil that good may result.
In LESSON II. Jehovah appeared be-
fore this conscience smitten refugee
and again promised tina .ho blessing,
yes, his own divine purpose, would
be worked out in Jacobs life This is
lesson on the grace of God.
LESSON III. sets Jacob before us
after twenty-one years service and
separation from his brother Esau.
This is a great lesson on Gods desire
and Transforming power. He trans
forms Jacob to Israel prince" and
softened the heart of Esau. Faith
overcame and is strengthened and
confirmed.
In LESSON Nv. we first behold 10.
seph particularly loved and favored
and as bitterly hated; he was thrown
into pit to die but is taken up
typical of the resurrectlon) and sold
into slavery. The development Of en-
Wy and the persistent, delivering pur.
pose of God are here presented in
strong contrast.
LESSON v. shows Joseph's enter.
ing that dark maze beyond which God
was to highly exalt him. BY faith he
overcame that fierce temptation and
his treatment of his fellow prisoner
was Gods useful agency though it
seemed accidental and Insignificant.
Gods Continued Purpose.
LESSON vi. is the completion of
Lesson v. and in 1t we see Joseph
seated in the place of power, able to
save the country and also his breth-
rem.
LESSON VII. shows us Gods con-
tinued purpose and the beginning of
the fulfillment of his word that the
descendants of Abraham were to
dwell in captivity (Gen. 1919.
LESSON VIII. is a continuation Of
Joseph's dealings with his brothers in
which their guilty consciences are
still further pricked and God reveals
to us his immutable purpose.
LESSON TX. is tender one of the
meeting of Joseph and Benjamin while
at the same time it suggests to us the
certainty of the fact that we may "be
sure your sin will find you out" I'm
less covered by his forgiying blood our
sin is mercilessly upon our track.
In LESSON x. we behold Joseph |
made known to his brethren and those
In fear are urged to draw near. Jo-
seph's faith in God saved him from ar
rogance and retaliation and inclined
his heart to tenderness and love in his
dealings with his brothers. Even as
Joseph revealed himself to his broth
ers SO will Christ reveal himself.
Jeseph's provision for his fathers
and his brethren, LESSON XII, is a
rich suggestion of our fathers bounty
and care for all who are "in Christ
Jesus" By faith Joseph who had be-
come great in a strange land, identi-
fed with all Of its power and splendor
makes provision that when Gods pur-
pose shall be executed and the sons
of Israel shall be delivered from
Egypt, his bones shall be carried into
the land of the people to whom he