Middletown transcript., 1918-12-07
LESSON FOR DECEMBER
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT.


GOLDEN TEXT-He that Is faithful in
very little is faithful also in much
Luke 1910.
DEVOTIONAL READ1NG-Psalms4 &
ADDITIONAL MATERIALGenesis -:
Il.
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 a mighty contrast between
Joseph in the pit at Dothan and Jo-
seph as prime minister of Egypt.
I. Joseph Made Prime Minister Of
Egypt wv. 38-44).
/. The Occasion wv. 1897.
It 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. It is Gods law for
those who would reign, that they SUI
fer. IF we suffer. we shall also
reign with him. e Timothy 2:12).
Joseph's exaltation from the state of
humility is a fine illustration Of
Christ's humility and exaltation (Phil-
lppians 90. 10Y.
II. Joseph's Naturalization ". 49,.
As soon as Pharaoh thus exalted him
he changed his name to Zapnath-paa-
neah, an Egyptian word having vary
ing designations; as salvation Of the
world" 1.-THE prince of life of the
world" ''The revealer Of secrets -
1.-THE food of Afe," etc. No doubt 1t
was Pharaoh's purpose to designate
him as the preserver of life, the re-
vealer of secrets. the interpreter Of
dreams, and the a1thor of the plan by
which Egypt was saved from the awful
famine. He thus was naturalized, and
his civil status rendered compatible
with his official rank. Then Asenath,
the daughter Of the priest. was given
him to wife. Intermarriage with this
caste completed his naturalization by
elevating him to social position. Jo-
seph's elevation was to save the
world from famine. Christ's eleva.
ton was to save the world from spir.
itual death. All unknown to his breth.
rem, the Jews, Christ is now at the
right hand of the Father. the Savior
Of the world from its famine Of death
As Joseph received a Gentle bride in
the time of his rejection and exalta
ton, so Christ is now receiving Gen
tile bride (Romans IL :25).
~. Joseph's Wise Administration
wv. 46-49).
He first made q careful survey of
the land, then organized his forces and
looked after the details of the work
He did not use his power and position
for himself, but to save others. He did
not idle hts time away, for he knew
that only seven short years remained
in which to work.