The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-04
y N %NklBROKEYN
|llEABERNACLE
HAcAeEHIBEE.sTUDY.oN~o
MERCY IS BETTER THAN SACRI-
FICE
Genesis 45:1-46:7-June

Genesis 45:1-46:7-June 8.
Behold, how good and how pleasant Il
is for brethren to dwell together in unityr
Psalm 1881.
When Joseph beheld how changed his
brethren were he sympathized with them
When he saw that they realized the di
vine disapproval of their wrong course
toward him, and noted their unwillingness
to hasten his fathers death by an unkind
word of act, he was full of pity. He
wished, however, that the disclosure OF
his identity should not be witnessed by
the Egyptians. Realizing that his emo.
tions were getting the better of him, he
hastily cried out, ordering all the Egyp,
tians to leave the room. Then he made
himself known, saying, II am Joseph
your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt"
We can we'll imagine the CONSERVATION
of the brethren. 1t had appeared to them
that their trials and difficulties were null
tiplied, and that somehow Joseph had
been identified with all their troubles.
Now to be in his presence, to hear him
speak directly in their own language, tell
ing them that he was Joseph, we can inn
agine that they felt stunned.
But Joseph, full of true sympathy and
pity, FASTENED to set them at ease. He
did not even chide them for wrong doing.
Instead, realizing that sin had already
brought them punishment, he consoled
them, saying, BE not grieved, nor angry
with yourselves that ye sold me hither;
for God did send me before you, to pre-
serve life to preserve you a pos
terity in the earth, and to save your lives
by a great deliverance. So now it was
not you that sent me hither, but Cod
How beautiful the revenge, Joseph
heaped upon his brethren unasked for
giveness and expressions of sympathy.
Alas. how few Christians under similar
circumstances would have been so noble!
Yet Christians have much advantage ev-
cry way over Joseph, in that they have
been begotten of the holy spirit and have
the instructions of the Scriptures. How
beautiful Joseph represented in type
Christ and His Spirit How evidently our
creeds of the dark ages misled us when
they taught us to believe that all the
Jews, the brethren of Christ. were to be
everlastingly tormented because they had
crucified Jesus, instead of accepting Him
and becoming His disciples!
Now, in the better light shining from
one page to another of the Bible, God S
people see that instead of Messiah's pur-
|
He purposes that they shall obtain divine
mercy and forgiveness. This mercy will
be extended to them very shortly after
Messiahs S kingdom shall have been estab-
lished as st. Paul points out in Romans
XII :23:33: "They shall obtain mercy
through your mercy" The same thought
is expressed by the prophet. saying of Is
rael. "They shall look upon Him whom
they pierced, and shall mourn for him."
(Zechariah xii:10) Theirs will be amourn-
ing of true sorrow as they realize the
grievous wrong committed more than
1s centuries ago. God declares Il will
pour upon them the spirit of grace and of
supplication."
Joseph Was Long Misunderstood
Joseph's brethren failed to understand
him-so great was the difference between
their characters and his. Even after they
had become more sympathetic and tender
hearted. they had still a sufficency Of
bitterness of spirit and of animosity that
If they had been in Josephs place, they
would have seen to it that somehow or
other future punishments would have
been meted out. They were, therefore,
surprised by Joseph's words of brotherly
kindness and sympathy, and unable to be-
lteye that he meant it all They conclud-
ed that he was dealing graciously with
them for his father Jacobs sake.
So we find that years afterwards, when
Jacob died, these 10 brethren were in great
trepidation lest Joseph should then wreak
his vengeance upon them. They went to
him again, asking for continuance of
his forgiveness. But Joseph said unto
them. Fear not; for am / in the place
of God? But as for you, ye thought evil
against me. but God meant 1t unto good,
to bring to pass. as 1t is TINS DAY, to save
much people alive. Now therefore fear
We not: I will nourish you, and your lit
tle ones. And he comforted them, and
snake kindly unto them."-Genesis,
50:19-2.
Jacob in Egypt
Josenh planned that for the five remain
inp wears of the famine, at least, his
father and the entire family should come
into Egypt. He thought of the district
styled Goshen as suitable Tor their pur-
noses heing a cattle grazing locality.
Pharaoh, heartily IN accord with Joseph,
his prime minister. and pleased with the
nrosneritv of affairs under his manage
nent gave full consent and suggested
that F,evptian wagons be sent to fetch the
old man Jacob and the women and chill
dren NOT so able to ride upon the asses,
camels, etc.
Josepb prepared delicacies for the jour-
ney and little presents, indicative of his
1--we He sent a special message to his
fotber saving. "Tell my father of my
glory in Egypt. and of all that you have
seen. and We shall haste to bring down my
fotbar hither" Then he kissed his
brethren all goodby, saying:
"Fall Not Out by the Way"
evidently Joseph was keen observer
of human nature. Many would have
Thought II unnecessary to caution the
brethren against disputes. Many would
have said. They will be so overjoyed
with the blessing of God that love will
nrevail amongst them" The contrary.
however. is often true. When prosperity
comes there are opportunities to quarrel
over the spoils, to feel more or less of
envy and selfshness.
We have known matters to go similarly
with the Lords brethren. When in tribu-
Ia tion their hearts We're crying to the
Lord: but In prosperity they We're dis
posed to grudge one against another. and