The Yale expositor., 1913-06-05


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 destnies of 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 a great calamity resting upon the |
people, and none prepared to meet 1t |
except these of Egypt whose proyi- !
sion was the result Of the work of !
this man Of God. IT, 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. 1-3.-EXcludlng
all from his presence, saving his broth
ers. Joseph gave full vent to his JOY
and rejoicing II am Joseph; doth
my father yet live?" Their astonish-
ment was so great as to leave them
speeches., and again haunting memo
ries condemn them TO fear and fore
lod In ia
presence" We have here beautiful
picture of forgiveness and saving love.
The exaltation of Jesus was TO
give repentance to Israel through the
forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31. Even
so did Joseph bring repentance to his
brothers and forgiveness of their
wrongs toward him % years before.
Joseph's severe dealings with his
brothers aroused them to full recog-
milton of their evil deeds and pre-
pared them to receive his pardon and
forgiveness.
But the cup is full, no longer can
he restrain himself, and with loud
voice. so loud that it could be heard
without. he cried Il am Joseph
Small wonder that at such a procla-
nation by him whom they had so
grievously wounded, they were trou-
bled." So shall it be when the breth-
rem of Jesus shall look upon him
whom they have pierced Zech. IL:
10.
H.. Reconciliation, w. 4e.-The
greatness of Joseph is here revealed
in clear, true light He interprets
Ia, haf wifi
all that God has involved in it, which
must have been a great surprise TO
his brothers. Joseph does not wait
for them TO fall at his feet and sue
for mercy, but seeks to allay their
fears, Come near to me ! pray you
These who by their wicked works
were rightfully alenated from him
are invited to draw nigh, Col. 1:21
and Matt, l1:2S.
Joseph's Grace.
Joseph was as one who was dead
anG out of that came life for those of
his own family as we'll as those out.
side. Even so God has brought life TO
many out of the death of Jesus, work.
ing salvation for all out of the most
colossal and infamous crime ever per
petrated-the cricihxion. Joseph was
sent" ". y, to save those very ones
John I'D. 1t was great deliver.
ence," see Heb 23. Here, again, we
see Josephs intimate relations with
God, lit was not you that sent me hith.
er, but God" That is the right way
to look at life, Rom. S:2S.
~. Proclamation, w. s-15.-The
news of this meeting came to Pha.
raoh, Wv. 2, 16, with the result that
he commanded Jacob and all of his
household to be brought into Egypt.
Having received good things them.
selves, they are commanded to go
with haste and tell others, Matt rs: T.
The first call is always come" ". ~,
and that is always followed by the
command of to "go" ". 81. Joseph
was not ashamed of his old father and
his brothers in the days of his pros
perity, and added that when they
should dwell in Egypt they were tc
be near unto me-" see Phil. 1923
John 1913. When the brothers reached
Jacob and told him that Joseph was
alive and exalted in Egypt he could
not believe them, and his heart faint
ed. Can we be surprised? Yet con
viction was at hand in the shape Of
the wagons laden with the rich spoi
of Egypt, Wv 81. q, 2S. Again Goo
appears to Jacob. 1872. 3, and adds the
assurance of his own word.
Lessons Of the Lesson.-The great
ness OF JOseph's character is revealed
in the hour OF the fulfillment Of hi
a
manifest the condition of his heart
Jacob recognizes Gods great plan
and that it's outcome is an eviden
blessing for others as well as for him
self There is no evidence OF pride
as Joseph interprets Gods dealings
God has made abundant provision FOL
us In Christ This lesson is the re
verse of the usual order In that th.