The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-06-12

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!. Joseph and Jacob, w. SO. JOS
eph's meeting with his aged father is
a beautiful picture. Again judah
comes into prominence az a sort OF
ambassador In leading the old man
into this new land and to present him
before his son. who now Is exalted so
highly among the rulers OF the earth.
In this he 10 a prophecy Of that day
when the descendants OF Jacob shall
gather before Him whom they
pierced" Joseph does not await their
coming but went up to meet them
| 6:29D as they passed through the
province OF Goshen.
! IL Is true that Jacob and his sons |
came to Egypt at Phsraoh's personal
Invitation tib:l7. lsl. yet there were
sufficient reasons why Joseph might
have been ashamed Of or fearful to
/ associate with. these his kinsmen.
His father was Z. plain countryman.
His brothers we're not an altogether
/ reputable crowd. And, further. they
were shepherds and every shepherd
Is an abominstion unto the Egyptians
/ go 3p. But they are his brethren
and he was glad to confess them even
as Christ will gladly confess us.
Joseph's Great Wisdom.
We have here another evidence OF
Joseph's great wisdom In that he com
mands them TO remain In Goshen
while he goes before them unto Pha-
raoh to prepare the way. Even so
Ill l..
raoh's presence (47.2l. In Acts Gl3
We read that this cavalcade consisted
OF three score and fifteen souls.
though this probably did not include
slaves and other dependents. II is
very significant that Joseph secures
Goshen for his kinsfolk. IL was near
to himself 1910: II was separated
from all unnecessary contact with tho
Egyptians ". 3t and II was a place
superior to all others for them as
herdsmen ~ 60. Joseph anticipates
Pharaohs question ~ ~ aRd gave
his brothers instruction how to an
swer but they seem TO have gone
somewhat beyond in that they make
request that they might dwell In
Goshen. Joseph charged them to
speak OF themselves as keepers OF
cattle
u. Jacob and Pharaoh. W. 7.i2.
Pharaoh does not seem to be overly
enthusiastic over these Ave brothers
whom Joseph presented ". 81. Aside
from the fact that they we're Joseph's
brothers. there was nothing 20 com
mend them No more have We any
thing to commend US In the sight OF
God except that we are Christs
brethren: though that il an abund-
ance.
Pharaoh and Jacob.
The picture OF old Jacob In the
presence OF Pharaoh is striking in
one respect at least, the fact that
he who came to this land for the
blessing OF the sustenance OF life.
should bless Pharaoh Jacob confer
red upon Pharaoh In his blessing more
than Pharaoh conferred upon Jacob
by the opening OF all Egypt to him
self and his family. This act upon
the part OF Jacob is suggestive of the
dignity OF age. and significant In its
revelation OF Jacobs relation 20. and
knowledge OF. the purposes OF God.
Pharaoh inquiries as TO Jacobs age
and he replies that his pilgrimage"
had been 100 years. lie who had
entered into all the rights Of the birth
right and the blessings OF Gods cove
nant people. exercised those rights
when he stands before the great Pha-
raoh. He mad caught the truth that
an earthly life is but a pilgrimage
Conclusion. Not included In our
lesson. but In this section. We have
set before us Josephs administration
of the AFFAIRS of Egypt which give US
further insight into the greatness OF
this man. In the close OF the lesson
proper. verses ll-12. there is presented
TO us Joseph's provision for hi father
and his brethren. This IL type OF
Christ In His care for us. In the
midst OF dangers (Jno 1910. 2s) and
famine. and Misunderstanding He 10
ever near. Joseph Is now satisfied for
he has Is own near unto him. Jesus
Christ is longing that we may be with
Him In tina place which He has gone
to prepare for us. John A:2. y, II. "a,
though lie has not left US comsortless
during these day OF separation, John
1923. Joseph fed his brothers on
the best the land afforded ". IL, even
so we may have the old corn Josh.
SID and the new wine prov $50.
100. We thus see how God is work.
ing out His purpose concerning the
Hebrew people
Taken away froA the peril into which
judah fell (chapter 3s). and the
threatened famine. also from the hos
tility OF the other shepherd races
among whom they dwelt, they are
brought into Egypt and are there sep
arated and yet supplied as Gods plan
develops and they become big enough
and ready to be led back into their
promised possession-Csnaan. Gods
plan works for both the immediate
and the ultimate. The true value OF
any experience 10 not within the en-
perience OF the hour The exile Of