McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-06-06

and how pleasant II Is for brethren 10
dwell together In unity" Ps. 1891.
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 destinies of king
dom by earthly power and the out
working Of the plan of redemption
by 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 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 supphcants.
we see those who "entreated him de-
spitefully." Judahs 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, w. t-3.--Excluding
all from his presence, saving his broth
ers, Joseph gave full vent to his Joy
and rejoicing. Il am Joseph; doth
my father yet liver" Their astonish-
ment was SO great as to leave them
speeches., and again haunting memo.
| ries condemn them to fear and fore
boding for they we're troubled In his
| presence" We have here a beautiful
| picture of forgiveness and saving love,
and also a wonderful foreshadowing
OF Jesus dealing with his erring broth
ers, the Jews. When he was here
upon earth they rejected him and 1t
has been among the Gentiles that he
has been exalted even as was Joseph
In Egypt.
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 a loud
voice, SO loud that 1t could be heard
without, he cried Il am Joseph"
| Small wonder that at such procla-
nation by him whom they had SO
| grievously wounded, they were trou
bled." So shall 1t be when the breth
rem of Jesus shall look upoL him
whom they have pierced" zecn. IL:
| 10.
II. Reconciliation, w. 4-8.-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 1921
and Matt. 1Y:28. Joseph's invitation
Is made assured to them by his
words Il am your brother" Thus we
see that Gods purpose is performed
and that what they intended for evil
God intended for good verify, the
wrath Of man Is made to praise him"
Joseph's Grace.
Joseph was as one who was dead
and 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 cricifixion. Joseph was
''sent" ". y. to save those very ones
(John 1:11). It was great deliver
ence," see Heb. 2:3. Here, again, we
see Joseph's intimate relations with
God, 1T was not you that sent me hith.
or, but God" That is the right way
to look at life, Rom. 1928. Joseph
might have shown these men an in
depreciation of his life and acted to-
wards them lin strict Justice by ex-
ecuting upon them the just penalty Of
their acts, but his fellowship with
God, and the support to his faith
gained during the past 20 years, gave
him grace In this. his hour of power.
to succor his father and his brothers.
and to bring them into q place OF
peace and prosperity. The lessons of
strength and tenderness which God
had taught him gave him restraining
power and compassion towards his
brothers.
III. Proclamation, w. 9-1s.-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 70
with haste, and tell others, Matt. 1871.
The first call Is always come" ". a.
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
ehould dwell Ia Egypt they were to
be near unto me- see Phil. 1913,
John 14:3. 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-
Yicfinn Waa nj hand In tho rhann 90