Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-12-14
IMPROVED UNIPolN INTERNATIONAL
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LESSON
(By REV. p. B. F1TZWATER, d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moo1y
Bible Institute of ChicagO.)
Copyright, 1918. Western Newspaper
UniOn.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER IS
JOSEPH FORcIVES HIS BRETH-
Rem.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 45:1-15.
GOLDEN TEXT-f ye forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly father will
also forgive you.-Matthew GA.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Genesis a:
1884.
IA; Ephesians 4:31, 80.
!. Joseph DiscIoses His Identity to
His Brethren wv. 1-3).
He treated his brethren harshly at
first, his purpose being to ascertain as
to whether they were the same cruel,
heartless men as before, and to
produce penitence in their hearts. They
keenly felt their guilt and heartily re-
pented Of their folly. Judah's pathetic
appeal overcame his apparent harsh
ness. causing him to disclose his iden-
tity. Being unable to restrain his pent-
up emotions he orders every one from
his presence. This act on the part OF
Joseph troubled them; it ought to have
made them glad. Their sins prevented
it being a time of joy for them. This
most beautifully illustrates Christ's
dealing with his brethren, the Jews.
Just as they who had rejected him and
sold him were compelled to come to
him for aid, so when the great tribula-
ton comes, Christ's brethren, the Jews,
will cry unto him for aid Daniel 9:27 {;
1921; Matthew "a :21; Zechariah 1910
14). Joseph dealt severely with his
brethren to test them and bring them
to repentance. So Christ will do with
the Jews (Hosea 5:15; Ezekiel % 10
%. AS Joseph's love was behind his
harsh exactings, so back of Christ's
treatment of the Jews will be his great
love for them.
u. Joseph's Efforts to Assuage the
Grief Of His Brethren wv. 4-8).
When Joseph revealed himself to his
brethren, the remembrance Of their
sins pierced them through. Joseph's
first question was about his father.
This shows that his desire was to put
their thoughts far away from their
crime. He invited them to come near
unto him, and assured them God had
overruled their crime in sending him
Tor their salvation. They meant it for
evil, but it was part Of Gods plan for
good. This does not excuse them from
the guilt Of the sin. In some future
time Christ will become reconciled to
his brethren, the Jews, and be their
Savior and benefactor (1saiah II 10
1QN <hn Af Dnntn0ncf
showed that the Jews treatment of
Christ was such, and that Gods over
ruling providence had turned it out
for good. Just as Egypt was obliged
to come to Joseph for sustenance and
become servants for Pharaoh through
him Genesis AZ 1920, so will all the
world yet come to Christ for his bless
ing, and be reconciled to God through
him (Isiaiah 2:2-4; II 10; Psalms
u :7-17; Zechariah IA :16).
III. Joseph Sent His Brethren With
Good News to his Father wv. 9-15).
AS soon as Joseph's brethren knew
him and were reconciled to him, they
were sent with the glad tidings to
their father. He assured them that he
would n0urish them and that they
should be near him. They were direct.
ed to tell Of his glory. Jacob would
not have mourned the death Of Joseph
had he known Of his glory. He now
gave them the kiss of reconciliation
and they were permitted to talk with
him. Reconciliation precedes COM
munion.