Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-07-05

The reading lessons for today are a
New Testament commentary upon the
past quarters work. The first lesson
is taken from that marvellous defense
OF Stephen the first martyr. AS he
traces the history of the people of,
Israel, he shows Gods continued ac-
tivities and purposes from the hour he
called Abraham until the holy one of
Israel came to fill to their fulness all
of these same activities and purposes.
Stephen also shows us that alongside
Gods activities was the equally per-
sistent disobedience of the people
which eliminated in the betrayal and
murder of that holy one In the por-
ton selected he sets before us how
Joseph is sold into Egypt, yet God was
with him and delivered him; how the
famine came and Jacob is thereby
brought into Egypt only later to be
carried back into the land of promise.
Teach Faith.
The second lesson is taken from
that great catalogue of heroes as re-
corded in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Here we have set before US the fact
that Gods eternal purpose with man
is ever that of faith. Isaac, Jacob
and Joseph are here mentioned and
lH0 IdlIn Oh Sdcn SET D0IOTo us.
Leaving out the Easter lesson we
have covered a period of about so
years, eight lessons dealing with Jo-
seph, and four with Jacob.
Attention has been called to Jo-
seph as one of the most remarkable
types of Christ to be found in the Old
| Testament (see comments on lesson
of April 2O. AS we have also sug-
| gested Jacob is not SO grand a char
| acter as Abraham yet is much more
| ike the average man.
| 1t is interesting to go over these
lessons and follow Gods purposes and
to observe how like Christ Joseph was.
In LESSON I. we behold Jacob at the
! instigation of his mother deceiving his
] poor old father and being compelled
to fly that he might save his life. Re-
bekah thought she could execute Gods
purposes; but it is never right to do
evil that good may result
In LESSON II. Jehovah appeared be-
| fore this conscience smitten refugee
| and again promised tina Tho blessing,
yes, his own divine purpose, would
be worked out in Jacobs life. This is
a lesson on the grace of God.
LESSON III. sets Jacob before us
| after twenty-one years service and
separation from his brother Esau.
This is great lesson on Gods desire
and Transforming power. He trans
| forms Jacob to Israel prince" and
softened the heart of Esau. Faith
overcame and is strengthened and
confirmed.
In LESSON w. we first behold Jo-
seph particularly loved and favored
and as bitterly hated; he was thrown
into a. pit to die but is taken up
typical of the resurrectlon) and sold
into slavery. The development of en-
Wy and the persistent, delivering pur-
pose of God are here presented in
strong contrast
LESSON V. shows Joseph's enter.
ing that dark maze beyond which God
was to highly exalt him. By faith he
overcame that fierce temptation and
his treatment of his fellow prisoner
was Gods useful agency though ii
seemed accidental and insignificant.
Gods Continued Purpose.
LESSON vi. is the completion OF
seated in the place of power, able to
save the country and also his breth
rem.
LESSON VII. shows us Gods con
'tinued purpose and the beginning OF
the fulfllment of his word that the
descendants of Abraham were tc
dwell in captivity Gen. 1913.
LESSON VIII. is continuation Of
Joseph's dealings with his brothers in
which their guilty consciences are
still further pricked and God reveals
to US his immutable purpose.
LESSON TX. is a tender one of the
meeting of Joseph and BENJAMIN while
at the same time it suggests to us the
certainty of the fact that we may "be
sure your sin viii find you out" Un
less covered by his forgiving blood oul
sin is merciless1y upon our track.
In LESSON X we behold JOSEPH
made known to his brethren and those
in fear are urged to draw near. 10
, seph's faith in God saved him from ar
, rogance and retaliation and inclined
his heart to tenderness and love in his
dealings with his brothers. Even a.
: Joseph revealed himself to his broth
ers so will Christ reveal himself.
Jeseph's provision for his father.
and his brethren, LESSON XII, is 6
rich suggestion of our fathers bounty
and care for all who are in Chris
Jesus By faith Joseph who had be
come great In a strange land, identi
fed with all of its power and splendol
makes provision that when Gods pur
pose shall be executed and the son.
of Israel shall be delivered from
Egypt, his bones shall be carried int
: the land of the people to whom b,
hn1ono1d ond from, xrhnv1, he hos O.