The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
Tfme.-1707 3. c.
Place---Just Outside a City in Egypt
LESSON COMMENTARY

Joseph's brethren had come to
Egypt the second time, bringing his
younger brother, Benjamin, as he had
commanded. They, had been well
stored to their company, and they had
received the high honor OF being made
guests of the ruler at sumptuous
dinner. They were now in high spir-
its and ready to set out on their re-
turn home to Canaan.
He commanded the steward of his
house. '-Jo had fully proved that
his older brothers had committed no
injury to Benjamin. but farther than
this he did not know their real char
acter. Because Benjamin was not al
lowed to accompany the others till ne
cessity compelled Jacob to send him,
might mean that the father did not
fully trust their intentions toward his
youngest son. Joseph called the high
est servant of his household. the man.
ager of his personal affairs. in whom
he had the greatest confidence. and
placed an order in his hands which
would fully test his brothers.
Put my cup. the silver cup, in the
sacks mouth of the youngest The
servant knew what cup was meant
tho one with which Joseph "divined"
or told what was to come to pass.
This was done by throwing in small
pieces of gold and silver and seeing
how they fell, and what circles or
bubbles Were formed in the water. AS
member OF the highest priestly fam
lily in Egypt Joseph would be fur
nished with all the paraphernalia of
a priest Of On. 1t Is not probable
that he ever used this cup unless he
he looked to the God Of his fathers to
guide results. However he was now
using 1t to find out what he did not
know-whether or not his brothers
were still heartless and cruel. If thew
were it would be an injury both to
himself and to them to let them know
who he was But he fondly hoped that
| they were changed after all these
years and that their selfishness and
pride had been driven out to give
place to true manliness and genuine
affection.
AS soon as the morning was light"
-on the day after the dinner in the
palace, all things having been made
ready the afternoon before, the eleven
brothers OF Joseph set out on their
/ homeward journey. They had the
grain which had been bought, and
their thoughts were rushing on before
them to their far-away home and the
loved ones there awaiting their re-
turn. Their sacks held what was far
more valuable than gold or silver.
y
those terrible months Of famine in
all lands.
up. follow after the men."-The
scheme of Joseph for testing his
brothers demanded that they be
found with the cup as If 1t had been
stolen. He did not wait till they
might have found it and come back
OF their own accord. Neither did he
let them make wearisome Journey
before bringing them back Also, he
was doubtless eager to learn what
would be the result Of his trial of
their loyalty to each other. Would
they come back with Benjamin to
plead his cause. or would they desert
him to his fate the better to save them
selves and escape from Egypt.
And he overlook them."--In sur
prise they saw the steward, who the
day before had so graciously received
them. now riding up and harshly ac-
cusing them of committing theft in
the palace where they had been so
Hospitality entertained. With right
eous Indignation they repel the accu-
sation, and point to their bringing
back the money first found in their
sacks as evidence of their honesty.
They feel that some great mistake has
been made. which can easily be re-
moved by a thorough examination Of
all that they had with them. Genu-
inc honesty is never afraid. If only the
truth can be fully made known
Let him die, and we also will be
my lords bondmen." This was the
they that not one of them could have
been guilty of such crime. The an
cient code of the people Of Canaan
imposed the penalty OF death for the
crime Of stealiug Tram nal ca.-Cha
sons Of Jacob were now in Egypt. and