The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-05-02

ness of the biblical narrative in that
the sinful failures as well as the sue
cesses Of families and Of chosen in
dividuals are presented.
Joseph began life in Egypt as o
serf. Potiphar, who bought him, was
the chief marshal of the empire, the
lord high exccutioner. What Josephs
feelings must have been we are left
TO infer, but we believe he accepted
his humiliating position with resig
nation and resolved to adjust himself
to his new environment. Thus it was
that Potiphar found In Joseph an hon
est servant. Joseph served ten years.
years Of constant promotion, when he
encountered the ordeal related IN
chapter 80.
Crime and Sin.
The breaking point had to come
when he exclaimed: How can do
this wickedness and sin against God?"
Gen. 1919. A crime 10 committed
against man or against society; the
same act against God Is sin. Jo-
seph's only safety was In flight ".
i2), to parley would have meant de-
feat. Between the ages Of seventeen
and thirty, Joseph lived life of slav-
err and imprisonment. But God was
with him and his faithfulness was re-
warded by being promoted to the po-
ition Of warden. Our religion should
recommend US, therefore itself, to
those who have to do with u.s." Mac
aren). Joseph has been referred to
as "the optimist," not as one who be-
ieves that all will come right, but
that all Is right now.
So much by way Of introduction.
The lesson proper divides itself nat
urally into two divisions:
|. The Chief Buffers Dream. Wv,
s-15. AS we have seen Joseph's pur.
Ity of life and loyalty to God had
brought upon him the bitter hatred
If an unprincipled woman (cf Tim.
I:12), but as we shall see, the sequel
was his exaltation. (See Matt. Eli,
l2.) BY inference we are led to be-
ieve that Potiphar had not alto
yether believed the story of his wife,
Else he would have exercised his
tight as an official, also as q slave
owner, and summarily executed Jo-
seph. But Joseph had one friend
rom whom he could not be separat-
ed. Jehovah. 39:21.)
In the providence Of God two men
who stood nearer the King in the
discharge Of their duties than did
Potiphar are brought into close con-
tact with Joseph. 1t was through
one Of these men Jacob was after.
wards given his opportunity which
led to the salvation of many, includ.
ing those of his own families. esther
6:1, Rom. 1928. Ps. 76:10)
An Enlightened Age.
We cannot Of course lay the same
emphasis upon dreams today as at
the time of Joseph, nor is there need
Of such revelations from Cod for we
live in the enlightened age of the
Holy Spirit and ever have easy &C
cess to the word But trivial as these
dreams may have seemed, God was
using them to change the course OF
history. Verse seven gives us an in.
timation of this, also a hint of 10.
seph's heart of compassion and sym
pathy. Had Joseph been a selfish
man, slow to notice the sorrows OF
others and still slower to make any
endeavor to relieve their suffering, he
would have missed the very opportu.
nifty God intended to use in the ef
fecting Of his escape from prison.
n. The Chief Bakers Dream, W.
1928. This dream also was connect
ed with the dreamer's avocation in
life and hence along the most natural
lines. Again Joseph's cherished con
viction produced by his own dreams
induces him to offer an Interpretation
Of the bakers dream. Had he lost
this conviction due to the circum.
stances of the hour or questioned the
validity of Gods revelation or that
he was a called man In Gods plan,
he would not have attempted any in.
depreciation. Again we emphasize the
fact that dreams are Of a negligible
value in this present age. They
usually come from poor digestion or
Else sinful tendency to worry. They
have nothing Of the divine about them
(See Eccl. 5:9, Jer. 23:2S) We have
4 better revelation from God. his
word; are we familiar with It? 1t is
foolish for us to put any dependence
upon dreams today. Joseph's in.
terpretations which came from God
we're fulfilled, yet the butler forgets.
The Lessons Of the Lesson.
For the younger pupils the story
tells itself and will hold enthralled
attention. For old and young there
Is the lesson of Joseph's serviceable
ness, he was a helpful man." 10
seph bought up his opportunities and
later reaped his reward Here is the
lesson of the forgetfulness of the
chief butler. Must we censure him
entirely for his ingratitude? Joseph's
gift of leadership. twas not the occa
sion that made the man, but the man