The Brinkley argus., 1913-05-02

lxE
 GOLDEN TExT-"The breath of tn, Alialgiity giveth them understanding. Job. 32:s, R. V.
 In teaching this lesson we must no overlook the intervening events whicf are other illustrations of the truthful ness of the biblical narrative in that the sinful failures as well as the sue cesses of families and of chosen in dividuals are presented.
 Joseph began life in Egypt as serf Potiphar. who bought him, was the chief marshal of the empire. the lord high executioner. What Joseph's feelings must have been we are left to infer. but we believe he accepted his humiliating position with resig nation and resolved to adjust himself to his new environment. Thus 1t was that Potiphar found in Joseph an hon est servant Joseph served ten years, years of constant promotion. when he encountered the ordeal related In chapter 39.
 Crime and Sin.
 The breaking point had to come when he exclaimed: How can l do this wickedness and sin against God?" Gen. 39:9 A crime is committed against a man or against society; the same act against God Is sin. Jo- seph's only safety was in flight tv. 12). to barley would have meant de- feat Between the ages Of seventeen and thirty. Joseph lived life of slav- cry and imprisonment. But God was with him and his faithfulness was re- warded by being promoted to the DO sition of warden, "Our religion should recommend us. therefore itself, to those who have to do with us." fMac. larenl. Joseph has been referred to as the optimist," not as one who be- lieves that all will come right, but that all is right now.
 So much by way of introduction. The lesson proper divides itself nat urally into two divisions:
 |. The Chief Buffers Dream. w. s-15. As we have seen Joseph's pur- ity of life and loyalty to God had brought upon him the bitter hatred of an unprincipicd woman (cf. 2 Tim 3.12), hut as we shall see, the sequel was his exaltation tsee Matt. 5:11. 12) By inference we are led to be- lieve tkat Potiphar had not alto gether belieye@ the story of his wife. else he would have exercised his rislt as aa official, also as a slave owner. and summarily executed Jo- seph But Joseph had one friend from whom he could not be separat- ed tJehovah. 39:21)
 Tn the providence of God two men who stood nearer the King in the discharge of their duties than did Potiphar are brought into close con tact with Joseph. It was through 70 of these men Jacob was after wards given his opportunity which led to the salvation of many, includ- ing those of his own families. (Esther 6:1.. Rom. s:2S. Ps. 7s:10)
 An Enlightened Age.
 We cannot of course lay the same emphasis upon dreams today as at the time of Joseph. nor is there need of such revelations from God. for we live in the enlightened age of the Holy Spirit and ever have easy ac- cess to the word But trivial as these dreams may have seemed. God was using them to change the course of history. Verse seven gives us an In timation of this. also hint of Jo- seph's heart of compassion and sym Qb man. slow to notice the sorrows oi others and still slower to make any endeavor to relieve their suffering. he would have missed the very opportu nity God intended to use in the eff fecting of his escape from prison.
 II. The Chief Bakers Dream, w 1923. This dream also was connect ed with the dreamer's avocation ir life and hence along the most natural lines. Again Joseph's cherished con vicrion produced by his own dreams induces him to offer an interpretation of the bakers dream. Had he lost thss conviction due to the circum stances of the hour or questioned the validity of Gods revelation or thai he was a called man in Gods plan he would not have attempted any in depreciation. Again we emphasize tho fac. that dreams are of a negligible value in this present age. They usually come from poor digestion oi else a sinful tendency to worry. The, have nothing of the divine about them tSee Feel 5:3. Jer. 23;2s) We hav' . better revelation from God. hi word: are we familiar with itg It ii foolish for us to put any depeiidenc' upon dreams today. Joseph's in terpretations which came from Goe were fulfilled. yat the butler forgets
 The Lessons of the Lesson.
 For the younger pupils the story tells itself and will hold enthrallet attention. For old and young ther' is the lesson of Jsseph's serviceahle meas. he was a helpful man" Jo seph bought up his opportunities an, later reaped his reward. Here is tn,
 lesson of the forgetfulness of th chief butler. Must we censure hiu entirely for his ingratitude? Joseph gff, Of leadership. twas not the occa sion that made the man. but the maj made the occasion The lesson c Joseph's faithfulness in the obscui ity