Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-06
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNlESNOOL
LESSON
By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 8
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT.
Z TEXT-Genesis 1884

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 1854
GOLDEN TEXT-He that is faithful in
very little is faithful also in much
Luke 1910
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms 4S.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALl-Genesis 80:
Il.
Thirteen long years have passed
since his brethren sold him. They
have been years of fiery testing for
Joseph, but his faith is triumphant.
There is a mighty contrast between
Joseph in the pit at Dothan and Jo-
seph as prime minister of Egypt.
!. Joseph Made Prime Minister Of
Egypt wv. 3S-449.
/. The Occasion wv. 14:32D.
1t is the Interpretation of Pharaoh's
dreams. In his dreams Pharaoh saw
seven fat kline coming out of the river,
followed by seven lean ones, which de-
voured the fGt ones. This dream was
followed by another in which he s;Iw
seven ears of corn come up on one
stalk, rank and good, only ito be de
voured by seven thin ones. These
dreams produced uneasiness in Phar;l-
obs mind. Being thus troubled over
them he sent for the magicians and
wise men of Egypt to interpret them
to him. Upon their failure to interpret
them, the chief butler calls to lnind the
prisoner who had Interpreted his
dreams two years before. Pharaoh
hastily brings Joseph from prison and
places his dreams before him. Joseph
disclaimed wisdom for himself, but
confidently asserted his faith in the
wisdom of God God is pleased with
those who will thus lean upon him in
the crucial hour, and Will never disGp-
point them '(James i ~. Little did
Joseph's brethren, the 1slImaelites who
carried him into Egypt, or Potiphar
whose slave he became, realize what
the future would bring to him. His
years of suffering and waiting were
part of Gods plan for his discipline
and education. 1t is Gods law for
those who would reign, that they suf-
fer. IF we suffer, we shall also
reign with him" e Timothy 2:d2)
Joseph's exaltation from the state of
humility is "a fine Illustration of
Christ's humility and exaltation (Phf+
ippians 90, 10Y.
II. Joseph's Naturalization (v 45).
As'soon as Pharaoh thus exalted him
he changed his name to Zapnath-paa-
neah, an Egyptian word having vary
ing designations; as salvation of the
world" "The prince of life of the
world" "The revealer of secrets
"The food of life," etc. No doubt il
was Pharaoh's purpose to designate
him as the preserver of life, the re
vealer of secrets. the interpreter oil
dreams, and the author of the plan by
which Egypt was saved from the awful
famine. He thus was naturalized, ant
his civil status rendered compatible
with his official rank. Then Asenath
the daughter of the priest, was, giveI
him to wife. Intermnrriage with this
caste completed his naturalization b,
elevating him to social position. 10
seph's, elevation was to save thu
world from famine. 'Christ's eleva
tion was to save the world from spir
ltunl death. All unknown to his :breth
rem, the Jews, Christ is now at I'll,
right hand of the Father, the 'SaviO
of the world from its famine of death
AS Joseph received q Gentle bride IL
the time of his rejection and exalta
ton, so Christ is now receiving a Gen
tile bride (Romans IL :25l.
|, III. Joseph's Wise Administrator
wv. 46-40).
the land, then organized his forces an,
looked after the details of the work
He did not use his power and position
for himself. but to save others. He di,
not idle his time away, for he kneN
that only seven short years remaine
in which to work.