The Brinkley argus., 1918-12-06
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 6
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 41:ss-A
 GOLDEN TEXT-He that is faithful in very little is faithful also in much Luke 16:10
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms4 4s.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Genesiss se: H
 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 (vv. 38-44).
 ]. The Occasion (vv. 14 :32).
 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- oh's 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 l :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 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 (Phil- ippians 2:9, 10).
 II. Joseph's Naturalization (v. 45).
 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" "The prince of life of the world" "The revealer or secrets" ''The food of life," etc. No doubt it was Pharaoh's purpose to designate him au the preserver of life, the re- vealer of secrets, the interpreter of dreams, and the author 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 eleyating him to social position. Jo- sepls elevation was to save the world from famine Christ's eleva- tion was to save the world from spir- itual death. All unknown to his breth- ren, 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 exaita- tion, so Christ is now receiving Gen tile bride (ROmans Il :25).
 III. Joseph's Wise Administration (vv. 46-49).
 He first made careful survey or 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 his time away, for he knew that only seven short years remained