The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-06-06

Lesson x.-Second Quarter, For
June 8, 1913.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text Of the Lesson, Cen. xiv, 1-15.
Memory Verses, 4, 5-Golden Text,
Ps. exxxiii, documentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
We can scarcely imagine the feelings
Of Joseph as he heard Judah recall his
fathers anguish at the time of his own
supposed untimely death and his refer
ence to- his father as an old man whose
gray hairs were being brought down
with sorrow to the grave and then to
Benjamin, the child of his old age, a
little n whose brother was dead and
he alone left of his mother, and his
father loveth him (xliv, 20, %, 29).
No doubt his heart had longed for
many days to reveal himself to them
for his fathers sake, and now that
Benjamin was before him and the 9TH
er ten the longing to let his aged IA
Their know that he was still alive, to
behold his face and show him his pros.
per1ty and share 1t with him, must
have been almost intolerable. He
could not any longer refrain himself,
caused every n to go out that he
might be alone with his brethren, and
he wept aloud so that the Egyptians
and the house Of Pharaoh heard, and
when he could command his feelings
ne said: 81 am Joseph. Doth my ia,
Their yet live? i am Joseph. your
brother, whom We sold into Egypt
oversees 8, a.. Did men ever hear such
wonderful tidings. and can we wonder
that they were terrified and could not
answer him? Now they understood
how he could arrange them at table III
the order Of their ages and could see a
significance in his dealings with them
and they would certainly remember
his dreams. for which they hated him
But then he had been kind to them
withal, had restored their money
twice, and they had dined with him
So when he said. Come near to me, J
pray you" they came near, and his
words must have melted their hearts
BE not grieved nor angry with your
selves. " " " God did send me be
fore you to preserve life I" y " anc
to save your lives by a great deliver
ance. So now it was not you that SEM
me hither. but God" oversees s. Z, g.
Oh. what wonderful grace, forgiveness
and comfort, and what words for al
believers to lay to heart, Not you, but
God!'
Perhaps he did not see it at the time
but now in his exaltation he could
look back and see it. We sing tina
will bless the hand that guided n
the heart that planned when throneC
where glory dwelleth in Immanuels
land. But some one says. Let Us
have faith in God and do it now and
put in practice u belief in Rom. viii
%. See the longing to make glad his
poor fathers heart, whom he had not
seen for twenty-five years and who
was now for the time without a son
at all and wondering If he would ever
see his loved Benjamin again. Haste
We and go up to my father and say
unto him, Thus saith thy o Joseph"
verses 913). They were to tell Jacob
of his sons glory as ruler owe all
Egypt and that they were all to come
to Egypt and be nourished by him
there during the remaining five years
Of famine. They were to hasten back
to Egypt and hasten to bring down
their father oversees 8, 13l.
When he had unburdened his heart
and they no doubt continued to be
amazed beyond measure he then kiss
ed and wept upon. each one, begin
ming with Benjamin oversees IA, 15l.
The news spread that Joseph's breth
rem had come. Pharaoh heard and
was we'll pleased and heartily indoors
ed the coming of them all to Egypt
and that wagons should be sent to
bring Jacob and all the families, wives
and little ones Soon they were on
their way, loaded With good things,
for the journey to Canaan and return.
In due time Jacob welcomed home his
eleven sons and Benjamin a safely
restored to him. and there must have
been a great burden lifted from the
fathers heart.
But what is this that they are tell
ing him, Joseph is vet alive, and he
is governor over all the land Of
Egypt" (xxvi.l He cannot believe it.
His heart grows faint at the tidings:
But they unitedly confirm 1t with
many an incident, and Judah tells his
story, and Benjamin says, Eyes, IA
Their. it is all true, and his arms have
been about my neck, and he kissed us
all. and he sent these wagons; see. ia
Their. wagons from Egypt" When ia
cob. saw the wagons he was convinced
and said: Joseph. my son, is yet alive.
will so and see him before I die"
The wagons were the convincing evil
dence. and il there were more such
convincing evidences in lives that
Jesus lives there might be some more
believers. Note in verse 20 that be-
cause the good OF the land OF Egypt
was before them they were not 70 re.