McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-05-09

bered Joseph before this but even his
ingratitude Is used OF God as a means
of bringing Joseph to the fore at the
most opportune moment So we see
that the buffers forgetfulness worked
for Joseph's good from. s:2s) and he
is projected into a sphere of useful
ness far beyond the flight of his wild.
est fancy. But Joseph Is not swept
OF his feet by Pharaoh's precipitate
haste and his very first words evil
dence his humility and his loyalty to
God as the source of all wisdom 41:14
(Jas. 1:16).
Did Not Forget God.
Joseph Ia good example for pres
ent day church members to follow in
that being exalted among men or be-
ing away from home he did not forget
to confess God. Furthermore his pre-
dictions based upon his intelligent
knowledge of God came true to the
letter. The whole matter. Pharaoh's
dream and Joseph's ability as an In
terpreter were inspired established"
by God. There Is no such thing as
chance In the spiritual realm any
more than In the realm of physics or
chemistry. Back Of every effort is an
adequate cause. Joseph realized this
hence his words that, "the thing Ia
established (prepared) by God, and
God will shortly bring 1t to pass" God
gives to present day believers this
same expectant faith in his word. The
times In which we live, the problems
we face, are prepared by him who
shall shortly bring It (the solution)
to pass" Let US be sure we know
him and his will.
u. Pharaoh's DelIverer, w. 33-4o.
Joseph told Pharaoh the meaning of
his dream which had been repeated
and which seemed like two different
dreams whereas 1t was but one in the
lesson to be taught. It is not enough.
however, to tell a man what Is the
matter with him. most men know
without being told. but 1t is quite an
other thing to present rational cure.
Joseph's Interpretation commanded
Pharaoh's confidence and his suggest
ed policy ia one of wisdom and good
judgment. viz: ~ man who shall
be the executive supervisor, Of the
plans for meeting the impending catas-
trophy; az a governmental depart
ment which shall devote itself solely
to this matter, and (3) abundant stor-
age Of provisions during the seven
years Of plenty. We doubt not that
Joseph may have anticipated the out
come Of his suggested plan and Of his
possible preferment for the ONCE he
suggested TO Pharaoh. In other words
the Christian need not lose his COM
mon sense because he becomes a
Christian. The coming Of the holy
spirit upon q man does not set aside
his common sense. It ought to quicken
Il.
pharaoh's Wisdom.
Thi4 man Of piety knew how to
properly improve his opportunity. and
Pharaoh saw the secret OF Joseph's
wisdom ". SS). q man in whom the
spirit Of God is" q Tim. I'D. Phar-
aoh had the wisdom to set in author
ity the spirit-filled man. q broad sug.
sestion for voters. business men. and
even church members. True discre-
ton is God taught ". 39) and we now
begin to see that Joseph's testimony
for God is being honored (Jno. 1920
and that Joseph was worthy of the
honor and power conferred upon him
wv. 40. Il. a.; Ct. Matt. 2s.1S). The
source OF Joseph's wisdom is open to
all Gas. 1:5). and his worthiness
came because Of his obedience Elsa.
1:19). His training and testing had
prepared him to OCCUPY his exalted po-
sition with proper humility and zeal.
Faithfulness Is Of great value and al.
ways pays well In the long run. Jo-
seph's exaltation to power Is good
type Of Christ. (a) In the power be-
slowed upon him. Jno. 1885; (b) In
that thu power was unlimited--all the
princes were under his feet, Ps. 1905:
20-21; Eph. 1:2o-22; I Peter 1922; (c)
by the certainty OF Pharaoh's promise.
II am Pharaoh" see Elk. 1913, IA.
Joseph did not use his great power
for his own selfish ends as do so many
modern rulers among men. He did
not at once send for the members OF
his family and place them in lucrative
positions, but at once set about max.
ing provision for the future. 1t has
been suggested that the unsuccessful
interpreters of Pharaoh's dream must
have ridiculed Joseph but he certain
ly was sustained by the conviction
that Gods word was true and that
the years of famine we're certain to
come. This ought to admonish us to
improve our present, priceless, oppor
tunities (Eph. $3.50. Joseph's open
confession was his leaning back upon
God. then his acts were In line with
that confession first to explain to the
king the meaning Of his dream and
then to give directions as to how he
should act during the days Of pros.
perity in preparation for the days Of
diversity.