McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1918-12-06
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUYDyYS0IOOL
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
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis. 41:3S-44
GOLDEN TEXT-He that is faithful In
q very little Is faithful also in much.--
Luke 1910.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms As.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Genesis 49,:
III.
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 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-44).
l. The Occasion wv. IA 1927.
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 fat ones. This dream was
followed by another in which he saw
seven ears of corn come up on one
stalk, rank and good, only to be de-
voured by seven thin ones. These
dreams produced uneasiness in Phara.
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 mind 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 disap.
point them (James 1:5). Little did
Joseph's brethren, the Ishmaelites 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 fol
those who would reign, that they suf'
fer. IF we suffer, we shall also
reign with him" e Timothy 2:12)
Joseph's exaltation from the state Of
humility is fine illustration Of
Christ's humility and exaltation (Phll
ippians 30, 10Y.
u. Joseph's Naturalization ". 45).
AS soon as Pharaoh thus exalted hin
he changed his name to Zapnath-paa
neah, an Egyptian word having vary
ing designations; as Salvation of thu
world" 1.-THE prince of life of thu
world" ."The revealer Of secrets
THE food of life," etc. No doubt /
was Pharaohs purpose to designat,
him as the preserver of life, the re
vealer of secrets, the interpreter o.
dreams, and the author of the plan b.
which Egypt was saved from the awfu
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. Intermarriage with THU
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
itual death. All unknown to his breth
rem, the Jews Christ Ii now at til,
right hand Of the Father, the Savior
Of the world from its famine Of death
Az Joseph received Gentle bride Ii
the time Of his rejection and exalta
ton. so Christ is now receiving a Gen
tile bride (Romans II :25).
III. Joseph's Wise ADMINISTRATORS
wv. 46-49).
y He first made a careful survey Of
the land. then organized his forces ant
looked after the details Of the work
He did not use his power and position
for himself, but to save others. He dis
not idle his time away, for he knew
that only seven short years remainet
In which to work.