The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-05-21
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays Lesson
70, Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by Charles X. Meyers

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Gen. 43, IS, 1928, "a.
We have this week another of the
wonderfully interesting lessons on the
life of Joseph. We consider today
the meeting between Joseph and his
own brother Benjamin, and the scene
is most pathetic.
It will be remembered by those who
have read the former lessons that
Joseph, the son of Jacob, was a ruler
second to the king in Egypt. His lot
was with Egypt and not with his faith
er's family, because of the hatred Of
his ten older brothers, who had, be
cause of jealousy, sold him as slave
and he had fallen into the hands of a
rich resident of that country. BY
being favored by God with power to
interpret visions Joseph explained GER
tain dreams to Pharaoh, foretelling
of seven years of plenty to be fol
lowed by seven of famine, and the
ruler decided to make the speaker his
agent to store up food for the impend'
ing calamity. The famine extending
to the home of Jacob, he sent his ten
Oldest sons to buy food, and they
came to Egypt anxious to be in favor
with the chief man in charge of the
needed grain. Joseph knew them, but
they did not recognize their brother
in that far off land.
There was small boy at the home
of Jacob in the days when Joseph was
there by the name of Benjamin. They
were full brothers and it would ap-
pear the older had most warm at
tachment for his baby relative, and
was most anxious to see him again.
Therefore when the ten older broth
ers came before him on the occasion
of their first trip to buy food, Joseph
insisted that when they came again
they would obtain nothing unless Ben
jamin was one of the party. To make
sure this would be done, Simeon, one
of the brothers, was held as hostage
in prison in Egypt until Benjamin
came.
Urgent demand for more food
caused the father Jacob to consent
to letting his beloved youngest son
60 to Egypt. The lesson verses of
today present the appearance of the
brothers, accompanied by Benjamin,
before Joseph on the occasion of the
second visit. The loving heart of
Joseph went out toward Benjamin, and
when his eyes beheld him, he could
hardly restrain his feelings. He at
once announced that the entire party
would dine with him at noon, and
babe his servants prepare the feast.
The elder brothers were nervous over
their standing with Joseph and fear
full that something would befall them
even if guests of honor at his home.
They told their troubles to Joseph's
steward, who comforted them by
saying to fear not for the God of their
fathers would care for them, and he
restored Simeon to their company.
Now comes the scene when the
twelve brothers are alone for the first
time in many years. Joseph enquiries
as to the health of Jacob and then
turns his attention to Benjamin and
on beholding again, blessed him say.
ing, God be gracious upon thee my
son." So much was Joseph affected
that he retired from the room and
wept. Later he returned and all ate
together. Joseph did not at this time
make himself known as the brother
thought to be dead.
How beautiful is the deep affection
shown by Joseph for his brother in
contrast with the treatment he re-
ceived from his older brothers. Can
we not learn lesson of brotherly love
at this time? Will not children in the
house pledge themselves to greater
kindness for brother and sister in the