The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-11-28
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 8
JOSEPH MADE RULER OF EGYPT.

LESSON TEXT-GenesIs H.s3-a
GOLDEN TEXT-He that IL faithful In
very little Is faithful also In much
Luke 1910
DEVOTIONAL READTNG-Psalms Is
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI,-Genesis 30:
a.
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 AZ prime minister Of Egypt.
I. Joseph Made Prime Minister OF
Egypt wv. 3s-44).
1. The Occasion wv. 14:32).
Il " the Interpretation Of Pharaoh's
dreams. In his dreams Pharaoh saw
seven fnt kline coming out Of the river,
followed by seven lean ones. which de-
vourcd 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-
hh's mind. Being thus troubled over
them he sent for the magicians and
wise men Of Egypt 10 interpret them
To him. Upon their failure 20 interpret
them. the chief butler calls 10 mind the
prisoner who had interpreted his
dreams two years before. Pharaoh
hastily brings Joseph from prison and
vtoros his droornS hafora him Toearh
dlsclalmed 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 :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. II Is Gods law for
those who would reign. that they suf-
fer. "If we suffer, we shall also
reign with him" G. Timothy 2:l2).
JoSeph's exaltation from the state of
humility Is fine illustration OF
Christ's humility and exaltation (Phil-
ipplans 30. 1O).
~. Joseph's Naturalization ". 45).
As soon as Pharaoh thus exalted him
he changed his name 10 Zapnath-paa-
neah. an Egyptian word having vary
Ing designations: as salvation Of the
world" ''fhe prince OF life OF the
world" THE revealer Of secrets"
The food OF life" etc. No doubt II
was Pharaoh's purpose to designate
him ns the preseryer Of life. the re-
yealer 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
elevatlng him TO social position. Jo-
seph's elevation was 10 save the
world from famine. Christ's eleva-
tlen 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 n Gentle bride In
the time of his rejection and exalta-
ton. so Christ is now receiving a Gen
tile bride (ROmans IL :25).
~. Joseph's Wise Administration
wv. 46-49).
lie first made 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 his time away. for he knew
that only seven short years remained
In which to work.