The Brinkley argus., 1918-11-29
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 1
THE STORY OF JOSEPH.

THE STORY OF JOSEPH.
 LESSON TEXT-Genesis 31:1s-2S.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Hatred stirreth III, strites, but love covereth up all trans gressions.-Proverbs 10:12.
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms 4
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Genesis 37: 1-17.
 |. Joseph the welI-BeIoved Son (37 :1-4.
 Joseph was Jacobs favorite son. This was due partly to the fact that he was the son of the wife of his first love and the son of his old age, but mainly because of the superior qual- tiles which Joseph possessed. This favorltism expressed itself in a su- perior position and more respectable clothes. That Jacob should feel par tial toward Joseph, perhaps, was un- avoidable, but that he should manifest 1t was extremely unwise. Serious trouble will always result from par. tiality being shown toward children. His brethren's intense hatred burst forth upon him. This feeling was in- tensified by his pure life and by his testimony among them because of their evil deeds. Josiah is a type of Christ He was living in fellowship with his father at Hebron (37 :14); Christ was with the Father be- fore coming into the world (John 16:28) Joseph was the beloved son Genesis 37 :3); Christ was the be loved Son of God (Matthew SID; Jo- seph was hated by his brethren Gene sis 37 Al Christ was hated by his brethren (John 15 :24); Joseph was envied by his brethren Genesis 37 :11) Christ was delivered up through envy (Mark 15 :10).
 II. Joseph's Dreams (37 :5-1D.
 l. His brothers sheaves lowing in obeisance to his.
 This was rightly interpreted by them to mean their humble obedience to him. This intensified their hatred.
 2. The sun, moon and eleven stars rendering obeisance to him.
 This dream is wider in its applica- tiOn. The eleven stars are identical with the eleven sheaves. The sun and moon, as rightly interpreted by his fa- ther, represented his father and moth- CT as rendering obeisance to him.
 III. Joseph Sent by Ills Father on a Mission of Mercy to His Brethren (vv. 12-17).
 fn about fifty miles distant from Hebron, where was abundance of pasture for their f1ocks. Jacob became anxious as to their welfare, and sent Joseph, a young man now seventeen years old, to find out their condition. Unde- tered by the envious hatred of his brethren, he willingly responded, Here I am." No doubt he realized that his mission was fraught with great dan gers-the exposure to highway rob- bers, wild beasts, and the murderous hatred of his brethren. Notwithstand- ing this, he rendered willing obedi- ence. Christ was sent by the Father on mission of mercy to his brethren q John IA; John 1 Il; Phil. 2:7, 8. Though he knew that the envious hatred of his brethren would result In his suffering and death on the cross, he went forth delighting to do his Fla ther's will.
 W. Joseph's Reception by His Breth- ren (vv. 1923.
 1. Their murderous plot (vv. 1S-22).
 They said Behold this dreamer cometh. let us slay him." This IS what Christ's brethren said about him (Matt. 21: 3S). They thought they would prevent these dreams coming true by destroying the dreamer. Reu- ben dissuaded them from this act by proposing to cast him into pit, lh- tending afterward to rescue him ana restore him to his father.
 2. They strip him of his coat ol many colors and cast him into the pit (vv. 23, 24). In spite of his earnest entreaty against this act they perpe- trated this heartless cruelty Genesis 42 :21).
 8. Their feasting (v. 25).
 Their heartless cruelty is manifest in that they could enjoy the festivities of a meal, perhaps, within the sight and hearing of Joseph's cries.
 1. Sold him to the Ishmaelites (vv' 25-2S).
 Judah proposed that they sell him. as no gain could accrue from let ting him die in the pit. One Judas later. sold the Lord for money. Hay ing done this infamous deed, they sought to cover 1t up by deceit and iy- ing. They took his coat or many colors and dipped 1t in the blood or a kid and sent 1t to his father, allowing him to draw his own conclusions as to the matter Jacob Is now reapihg what he had sown. Many years pe-