The Elbert County tribune., 1918-12-27
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 2e
JOSEPH CARES FOR HIS KIN
DRED

LESSON TExT-Genesis 47:i-I2
GOLDEN TEXr-Honor thy father and
mother.-Ephesians e:2.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Psalms "a.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Genesis
B:15-5o:26.
vior for our Christmas lesson. today,
instead of II review we will go back
and take up the alternative lesson for
December %. 1t will be more profit
able to complete the study of Joseph
In his attitude toward his kindred than
to undertake the review.
I. Joseph Sends 20 Canaan for His
Father (45:17-2S).
After Joseph had made himself
known TO his brethren he sent them
back to his father in Canaan with the
good news not only that he was alive,
but that the Lord had exalted him to
be lord over all Egypt, and that his IA
ther and brethren with their families
should come down to Egypt where he
would give them the best of the land
and that they should eat of the 'fat
of the land" This illustrates how one
day Jesus Christ shall disclose his
identity TO his brethren the Jews and
that his exaltatlon At the right hand OF
the Father was TO make preparation
for them against the awful day of trial
which shall be visited upon them (Acts
3:19-2D.
II. Joseph Meets His Father in tho
Land of Goshen (46 :29-34)-
Jacob experienced double delight
that of seeing his beloved son whom
he had long mourned as dead, and of
being welcomed to the new and strange
land by its prime minister Joseph in
structed his father and brethren how
TO place their request before Pharaoh.
Since their occupation was that of
shepherds he knew that some tact
should be employed in their approach
TO the king, for every shepherd is an
abomiaatlon unto the Egyptians"
III. Jacob and Five Sons Presented
to Pharaoh (47 40.
Though Joseph was high in author
ity lie was not ashamed to bring his
father and brethren into the presence
OF the great Pharaoh, even though they
We're humble farmers.
/. Phuraoll's Question (yv. 3, ~. He
inquired as TO their occupation. They
answered that both they and their fa-
ther were shepherds. They went lit
tie beyond what they were asked by
Pharaoh and instructed to do by Jo-
seph. They requested the land of
Goshen. for they knew 1t was good
place for pasture for their fiocSs.
.. Pharaoh's Instructions TO Joseph
wv. 5, 6). He told him to make his
father and brethren to dwell in the
best of the land-even Goshen, and
that il he knew of. any men of ability
among them TO give them the charge
of his cattle. He assumed that since
Joseph was so capable and trustworthy
that some of his brethren would also
possess suitable qualifications of ad-
ministration.
w. Jacob Blessed Pharaoh (47:7-
10).
Though Jacob was n pilgrim in
Egypt, dependent upon Pharaoh even
for food to eat. in the dignity of his
faith of what God would do with him,
and through him, he pronounced
blessing upon the grent Egyptian king.
The less is blessed by the greater (He-
brews T:O. Though conscious of his
place OF superiority through the divine
covenant he did not manifest otlicious-
ness. but rather the desire to convey a
vital blessing. He recognized that he
was the channel through which great
blessings would come to Pharaoh, in
accordance with the Abrahamic COW
enant Genesis 12:1-3). Israel is one
day 10 be the channel through which
the blessings of salvation shall flow
to the Gentle nations tRomans II 10
15).
v. Joseph Nourished His Father and
Brethren (47 IL, l2).
According to the instructions of
Pharaoh. Joseph placed his father and
brethren in the best of the land and
nlsde provision for them. Jesus Christ
will one day. when the famine of the
great tribulntion is exceeding sore. be
rpcnurilpd tn his brpthrpn rho lows