The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-12-27
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20
JOSEPH CARES FOR HIS KIN.
DRED.

OH6O.
LESSON TEXT-Genesis T:1-l2
GOLDEN TEXT-Honor thy father and
her.-Ephesans So.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms "a.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Genesis
| G:16-5O:26.
Since we took the birth of the Sa-
vior for our Christmas lesson, today,
instead of review. we will go back
and take up the alternative lesson for
December -. 1t will be more profit
able to complete the study of Joseph
In his attitude toward his kindred than
to undertake the review.
I. Joseph Sends to Canaan for His
Father (45 1928.
After Joseph had made himself
known to his brethren he sent them
back to his father in 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 fiat
Of the land" This illustrates how one
day Jesus Christ shall disclose his
identity to his brethren the Jews, and
that his exaltation at the right hand of
the Father was to make preparation
for them against the awful day of trial
which shall be visited upon them (Acts
3:13-2D.
u. Joseph Meets His Father In the
Land Of Goshen (48 :29-34).
Jacob experienced a double delight
that of seeing his beloved son whom
he had long mourned as dead, and of
being welcomed to the new and strange
land by its prime minister. Joseph in
structed his father and brethren how
to place their request before Pharaoh.
Since their occupation was that Of
shepherds he knew that some tact
should be employed in their approach
to the king for every shepherd is an
abomination unto the Egyptians"
~. Jacob and Five Sons Presented
to Pharaoh (47 10.
Though Joseph was high in author
ity he was not ashamed to bring his
father and brethren into the presence
| VI kAe cut hui hoAAs CtCA thou6h tACy
were humble farmers.
l. Pharaoh's Question wv. 3, ~. He
inquired as to their occupation. They
answered that both they and their IA
ther were shepherds. They went IA lit
tie beyond what they were asked by
Pharaoh and instructed to do by Jo-
seph. They requested the land Of
Goshen, for they knew 1t was good
place for pasture for their fiocks.
2. Pharaohs Instructions to Joseph
wv. s, 81. He told him to make his
father and brethren to dwell In the
best Of the land-even Goshen, and
that If he knew of any men of ability
among them to 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 ad-
ministration.
~. 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 God would do with him,
and through him. he pronounced q
blessing upon the great Egyptian king.
The less Is blessed by the greater (He-
brews 7:O. Though conscious Of his
place of superiority through the divine
covenant he did not manifest officious-
ness, but rather the desire to convey
vital blessing. He recognized that he
was the channel through which great
l. h.. Oh tn,
accordance with the Abrahamic GOV.
enant Genesis 12:1-3). Israel is one
day to be the channel through which
the blessings Of salvation shall flow
to the Gentle nations (Romans IL :12-
15). H
v. Joseph Nourished His Father and
Brethren al IL, 12).
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 famine Of the
great tribulation is exceeding sore, be
reconciled to his brethren, the Jews.
and will give them a 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
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 a promise that
he would bury him In Canaan. He
blessed Joseph's sons and issued
prophecy concerning his own sons.