The Hope pioneer., 1918-12-26
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20
JOSEPH CARES FOR HIS KIN
DRED.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 47:l-12
| GOLDEN TEXT-Honor thy father and
mother.-Ephesians So
| DEVOTIONAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. "a.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Genesi.
t5:16-5O:26
Since we took the birth of the Sa-
vior for our Christmas lesson. today,
instead of Il review. we will 80 back
and take up the alternative lesson for
December %. 1t will he more profit
able to complete the study of Joseph
in his attitude toward his kindred than
to undertake the review.
!. Joseph Sends to Canaan for His
Father 45:l7-2S).
After Joseph had made himself
known to his brethren he sent them
back to his father la Canaan with the
good news not only that he was alive.
but that the Lord had exalted him to
be lord over all Egypt, and that his Ia
ther and brethren with their families
should come down to Egypt where he
would give them the best Of the land
and that they should eat of the "fat
| VA tAAC luliN. AIllS llltlSllittS IN OuC
day Jesus Christ shall disclose his
identity to his brethren the Jews and
that his cNiltatiOn at tho right hand Of
the Father WAS to make preparation
for them against the awful day OF trial
which shall be visited upon them (Acts
3:19-2D.
u. Joseph Meets His Father in the
Land of Goshen (4G :29-3Ij.
Jacob experienced Il double delight
that of seeing his beloved son whom
he had long mourncu as dead, and OF
being welcomed 10 the new and strange
! land by its prime minister. Joseph in
Struclcd his fHihrr and brethren how
to place their request before l'llaraoh.
Since their occupation was that OF
shepherds he knew that some tact
should be "Inp!"I"d in their approach
to the king. for every shephcr, is an
abominnii"n Unto the Egyptians"
III. Jacob and Five Sons Presented
to Pharaoh (I7:l-D.
Though Joseph sils high in author
ity he WAS not ashamed To hr.ny his
father and brethren into the presence
of the great Pharaoh, even though they
were humble farmers.
/. PlEaraoll'S Question wv. - ~. Ike
inquired as to their occupation. They
answered that both they and their fa-
ther were .rhcphcrds They went a lit
tie beyond what they We're asked by
Pharaoh and instructed to do by Jo-
scph. They requested the land OF
Goshen, for they knew it WAS !; good
place for pasture for their ilOckS.
.. Pharaoh's Instructions to Joseph
(vv. ), G). He told him TO make his
father and brethren To dwell in the
best Of the lHn!-evcn Goshen, and
that if he knew of any men nf ability
among them 10 give them the Charge
Of his cattle. He assumed that since
Joseph was so capable and trustworthy
that some Of his brethren would also
possess suitable qualifications of adj
ministratiOn.
w. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh !47:7.
10Y.
Though jacob was a pilgrim in
Egypt, dependent upon Pharaoh even
for food to eat, in the dignity Of his
faith OF what Cod would do with him.
and through him. he pronounced Il
blessing upnn The great Egyptian king.
The less is blessed by the greater Ole
brews 1:7. Though conscious Of his
place Of superiority through the divine
covenant he did not manifest oflicious-
ness but rather the desire to convey II
vital blessing. He recognized that he
was the channel through which great
blessings would come to Pharaoh. in
accordance with the Ahraln;nc GOV.
cn;lnt (Gcncsis 12:1-3). Israel is one
day to be the channel through which
the blessings of salvation shall flow
to the Gentle na1ions Ntolnuns II: ~
15).
v. Joseph Nourished His Father and
Brethren I'll, l2).
According to the instructions of
Pharaoh. Joseph placed his father and
brethren in the best OF the land and
made provision for them. JESUS Christ
will one day, when the fulnine of the
great tribulatiOn is exceeding sore, he
reconclcd to his brethren. the Jews,
and will give them possession in the
best Of the land and nOurish them.
Christ is now seated with the Father
on his throne. and one day will reveal
himself to his brethren the Jews and
will feed them on the "fat of the land"
Jacob lived in Egypt II years. When
the time Of his death approached he
exacted from Joseph promise that
he would bury him in Canaan. lie
blessed Joseph's sons and issued
| prophecy concerning his own SONS.
| General Order Mo- l.