The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-01
Pharaoh's Dreams Interpreted

Pharaoh's Dreams Interpreted
Pharaoh related his dreams. In the first
ne saw seven fine cattle, and a little later
seven very lean cattle, which ate up the
lat ones, but looked no better In the sec
ond dream he saw a fine stalk of corn
spring up, bearing seven full ears and
then another stalk with seven Withered
ears. The latter swallowed up the for
mer, but looked none the better
Joseph quickly interpreted the dreams.
First, however, he distinctly declared that
the Interpretation came from God. The
two dreams, he said, unitedly foreshad-
owed seven years of great plenty in
Egypt followed by seven years of fam
inc, which would consume the surplus of
the plentiful years He then suggested
that an agent be appointed to buy up all
surplus grain of the seven years of plenty
and store it for use during the seven years
of famine.
Pharaoh quickly acceded and appoint
ed Joseph himself to the position. Thus
Joseph suddenly stepped into place of
highest authority, next to Pharaoh, in the
greatest empire of those days. Can we
doubt that Gods hand was in the matter?
We may feel equally sure that the lessons
of Joseph's adversely were preparations
for his subsequent experiences as Pha-
raoh's mouthpiece, throughout the king
DOM
We recall the lesson of week ago
that Joseph's experiences were typical
| OF those of Jesus and the church. The
Bible assures us that the graces of hum-
| ity and patience are related to love and
| loyalty. st. Paul reminds US of this
when he declares, IF We be without chas-
| tisement then are ye not sons For what.
son is he whom the father chasteneth
not?"-Hebrews 12:6-S
| 1t was SO with Jesus, with the apos.
| ties, and has been SO with Jesus follow
ers throughout this gospel age. Because
| the Lord loves these noble characters
He counts them worthy of trials and test
ings. These experiences are necessary to
qualify them for the glory, honor, i'm
mortality and great responsibility to
which they are called.
The Value of Adversely
Jacobs special love for Joseph mani
tested itself in favoritism, and quite pos
sibly he would have spoiled his son, had
not Divine Providence taken him out of
his fathers control. Manv fathers, es-
| pecially the rich, have made similar mis-
takes Hence the sons of the rich are
not always credit to their fathers.
Our Heavenly Father makes no such
mistakes. His people are assured that
trials and difficulties mark their relation
ship to God and His loving care over
JneHl. IHlS pTOVluefllidl care is TeStrlceu.
"The Lord knoweth them that are His"
His special dealings are with His conse-
Grated people-those who have entered
into covenant relationship with Him. To
these alone belongs the promise that ''all
things work together for good to them
that love God, 20 them who are the called
according to His purpose.
Joseph belonged to this line which was
in covenant relatiinship with God. The
accounts for Gods dealing with him rath-
er than with young men Of other families
than Abrahams The Israelites passed
through many trying experiences because
of being Gods people. Many of these
they inight have escaped, had they not
come into covenant relationship with God.
But then they would have escaped certain
blessings also. And Gods blessings al
ways outweigh the adversties which pre-
pare for them
Jewish and Christian Elections
The Bible declares that the Jews, and
subsequently the Christians. are Gods
elect--God's chosen people-the seed of
Abraham, natural and spiritual Both
have offers OF Gods blessings not accord
ed others, and trying experiences to fiji
the elect ones for the future glories to
which they have been invited
| Nevertheless, God has great blessings
in store for the non-elect. During the
| thonsand years of Messiail's reign, the
elect church will be Messiahs joint heirs
on the heavenly plane. Then the elect
! from the Hebrews, on the earthly plane,
will perform a work in conjunction with
| the Messiah. Through these two israels
Gods blessings are to be poured out upon
al. nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues
aud earth VIII become a paradise he
! results VIII undoubtedly be glorious Ias