The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1918-12-12
lslPE0yED UtlFcRm INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
(Ey REV. u. Il. FITZWATEIt. y. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
6i5le Institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FCR DECEMBER Is
JOSEPH FORGN'ES Els BRETH.
REH.
EssON ~TExT.Genesis 45:1-15.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 45:1-15.
GOLDEN TENTH We forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly father will
also forgive you.-Matthew 6:l4.
DEVOTIONAL READlNG-Genesis a.:
1884.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Genesis ~:
La; Ephcsians 4:3l, So.
1. Joseph Diecloses His Identity to
His Brethren Wv. 1-3).
He treated his brethren harshly at
first, his purpose being to ascertain as
to whether they were the same cruel,
heartless men as before, and to
produce penitence in their hearts. They
keenly felt their guilt and heartily re-
pented of their folly. Judah's pathetic
appeal overcame his apparent harsh
ness, causing him to disclose his iden-
tity. Being unable to restrain his pent-
up emotions he orders every n from
his presence. This act On the part of
Joseph troubled them it ought to have
made them glad. Their sins prevented
it being q time of JOY for them. This
most beautifully illustrates Christ's
dealing with his brethren, the Jews.
buSI IL tHCS NliC III hCJEAtSu AAIAiA VI
sold him were compelled~to come to
him for aid, SO when the great tribula-
ton comes, Christ's brethren, the Jews,
will CRY unto him for aid Daniel OPT;
12:1; Matthew = 4:21; Zechariah - 80
14). Joseph dealt severely with his
brethren to test them and bring them
to repentance. So Christ Will Go With
the Jews (IIosea 5:15; Ezekiel % 10
%. AS Joserh's love was behind his
harsh exactings, SO back of Christ's
treatment of the Jews will be his great
love for them.
II. Joseph's Efforts to Assuaee the
Grief OF Ellis Brethren wv. 4-8).
When Joseph revealed himself to his
brethren, the remembrance of their
sins pierced them through. Joseph's
FIRST question was about his father.
This shows that his desire was to put
their thoughts far away from their
crime. He invited them to come near
unto him, and assured them God had
overruled their crime in sending him
for their salvation. They meant it for
evil, but it was part of Gods plan for
good. This does not eXcus them from
the guilt OF the sin. In some future
time Christ will become %reconciled to
his brethren, the Jews, and be their
Savior and henefactor (1saiah IL 10
icy. Peter, on the day of PentecOst,
showed that the Jews treatment of
Christ was such, and that Gods over
ruling providence had turned it out
for coed. Just as Egypt was obliged
to come to Joseph for ]sustenance and
become servants for Pharaoh through.
him Genesis II 1920. so will all the
world vet come to Christ for his bless
ing, and be %reconciied to God through
him (Isiaiah 2:2-4; 11:1O; Psalms
2:7-17; Zechariah II :16).
Ill. Joseph Sent His Brethren witt,
Coed News to his Father wv. 9-15).
AS soon as Joseph's brethren knew
him and We're reconciled to him, they
were sent with the glad tiGings to
their father. He assured them that he
would nourish them and that they
should be near him. They were direct.
ed to tell of his glory. Jacob would
not have :nourned the death Of Joseph
had he known of his glory. He now
gave them the kiss Of reconciliation
and they were permitted to talk will,
him. Reconciliation precedes com.
/ muniOn.