The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-04-26
International SUNDAY School Lesson.
Second Quarter. Lesson 4. Gen. 81:
1925. April ~. 1918.
Joseph Sold Into Egypt
Tho Story.

me inevitable consequences OF
polygamy were upon Jacob. Even
the blessing at Jabbok could not
avert them. That experience, no
doubt, made the patriarch more pa
ttent under his extremely trying cir
cumstances. But his home, if 1t
deserved the name of home at all,
was rent with jealousy. Four wives
and four sets of children kept the
camp in pandemonium. Under the
most favorable circumstances the
rearing of twelve sons is an operose
task. At the very time Jacob
should have been giving his undi-
vided attention and strength to it,
he seems to have been chiefly en-
gagged in outwitting Laban and &C
cumulating = fortune. The result
was. he had q lot OF unruly, wicked
boys on his hands. On the dark
background Of this polygamous
household the pure. and artless
character of Joseph energies with
most pleasing effect. He was the
son of Jacobs later and better days.
He was taken away soonest from
the degrading influences of Padana-
ram. He was chastened by the
greatest grief that can befall a
young heart, 4 mothers death. The
very frequency with which his sur
roundings changed was calculated to
cultivate the devout spirit. From
the thorny and thistly sons Of ia
cob grapes and figs could not be
expected. All were rude, treacher-
GUS Bedouin. The gentle and pure
character of Joseph was a standing
structure upon them. They were
envious OF his impending honor;
ready tc cry a. their descendants af-
forwards did: eve will not have
this man to reign over u.s." They
nursed their jealousy until it
reached the size of murder. Joseph
had come to them on an errand of
love from his father. It was a
long and perilous journey from Heb
ron to Dothan. There were bed
ouin and bears in the way. He had
brought his brothers goodly viands.
If there was to be any criticism of
their conduct on his part, direct or
indirect, it would be just, and for
their real advantage. But they al
lowed themselves to be moved with
envy. Their utter heartlessness is
shown in that they could sit down
to the very banquet he had brought
them. and eat it in sound of his
wailing voice. There is an expulsivs
power in a new vice as we'll as in a
new virtue. Murder is ousted by
avarice. The sight of the approach
ing trading caravan suggests the
possibility of making merchandise Of
this obnoxious brother. A moment
later they gloat over their two sill
yer shekels apiece, and see their
kinsman according to the flesh de-
part to ignominious and hopeless
servitude. Naked and under burn
ing sun, with an iron collar about
his neck and a lash upon his back,
the heir of all the promises departs
from the very land he was to have
inherited. The prince is meta
morphosed into the slave, Canaan
exchanged for Egypt. From the hu-
man angle all is lost; but
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform"
The Teachers Lantern.
This fascinating story is a thin
veil through which the most cursory
reader must catch a glimpse of the
character and work of Jesus. A
greater Father sends his greater
Son. 1t is an errand of love and
mercy. He brings bread and wine.
emblems of his own sacrifice and
oblation. He comes to his own, but
his own receive him not. He Is
sold at the price Of slave. He is
shockingly Inundated; smitten and
Knocked: stripped Of his robe; put
to a slaves death; entombed; but
now he appears upon throne OF
glory to give redemption to alias
many as will believe upon his name
Thus Is Joseph one Of the most
striking types of Jesus. Joseph's
rescue would have been the great
est possible misfortune. For him
eelf; 20 have been reared In Canaan
by his Send father wsuld hevs 1ad>