The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-06-03
INTERNATIONAL.
S(JNNGYSHOOL
LESSON
By e. O. SELLERS, Director OF Even
ing Department The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR JUNE 8
losEPH FoReIvEs AIs sRETHREN

JOSEPH FoRGivEs HIS BRETHREN
LESSON TExT-Gen. l5n-l5.
GOLDEN TExT-"Behold how good
and how pleasant 1t is for brethren to
dwell together In unity" Ps. 1881
No story of the Old Testament IL
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 destinies 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 it
except these of Egypt whose provi-
sion was the result of the work OF
this man of God Il. 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, 1t satisfied him,
and what need, therefore, for further
delay in revealing himself in his true,
character?
Saving Love.
!. Revelation, wv. 1-3.-Excluding
all from his presence, saving his broth
ers, Joseph gave full vent to his joy
and rejoicing. 81 am Joseph; doth
my father yet live?" Their astonish-
ment was so great as to leave them
speechless, and again haunting memo
ries condemn them to fear and fore
boding for they were troubled in his
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 20 years before.
| Joseph's severe dealings with his
brothers aroused them to a 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 II 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.
II. Reconciliation, w. 48.-The
greatness of Joseph is here revealed
| In a clear, true light. He interprets
to his brothers their own actions with
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 alienated from him
are invited to draw nigh, Col. 1:21
and Matt 1928. i
Joseph's Grace.
Joseph was as one who was dead
md out of that came life for those of
his own family as well as those OUT
side. Even so Goo has brought life to
many out of the death Of Jesus, woi Z.
ing salvation for all out OF the most
colossal and infamous crime ever per
petrated-the cricifxion. Joseph was
sent ". y, to save those very ones
(John lid. 1t was a great deliver
ence,' see Heb. s2:3. Here, again, we
see Joseph's intimate relations withs
God, 1T was not you that sent me hith.
er, but God" That is the right way
to look at life, Rom. 8:28.
Ii.. Proclamation, wv. e-15.-The
news Of this meeting came to Pha-
raoh, w. 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 1877.
The first call is always come" ". A. !,
and that is always followed by the
command of to Ego" ". 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 to
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 spoil
of Egypt, w. 81, 81. 28. Again God
appears to Jacob, 1872, g, and adds the
assurance of his own word.
lessons of the Lessons-The great
ness OF Joseph's character is revealed
in the hour of the fulfillment OF his
dreams tears, not vindictiyeness,
manifest the condition Of his heart.
Jacob recognizes Gods great plan.
and that its outcome is an evident