Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-04-12
LESSON FOR APRIL Is
JOSEPH. THE PREsERvER OF HIS
PEOPLE

FE0FEE 81
LESSON TExT--Genesis l5:s-15.
GOLDEN TEXT-Honor thy father
and thy mother. that thy days may be
long upon the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.-Exodus 20:1z.
REFERENCE MATERIAL - Joshua
24:S2; Psalm 105:16-22; Hebrews I'LL
a.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Joseph Forgiying
Brothers.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Joseph. the Forgiv-
ing Brother
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Joseph as Son and Brother.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Inspiring Example OF Joseph.
While the climax of the story Is
reached In Joseph's revelation to his
brethren yet his life should be briefly
sketched in order to get the full force
of this climax.
I. Loved by His Father; Hated by
His Brethren Genesis 81. The be-
trayal of the fathers partially in
creased his brothers hatred for him.
His dreams were prophecies of Gods
dealing with them. =
II. Sold Into Slavery Genesis 3D.
So intensely did they hate him that
they proposed to kill him. This muir
derous purpose was turned aside by
the proposition TO sell him into siav-
cry They sold him to merchantmen
who were going down into Egypt ana
in turn they sold him as a slave.
TIL. Cast Into Prison Genesis 800.
While serving as a slave he was false
ly accused and sent to prison. Jo-
seph's character had so impressed
Potiphar that he doubted his wife's
charges against him. If he had be-
lieved her he would have put this
Hebrew slave to death.
W. Made Prime Minister Genesis
AZ. Though falsely accused and i'm
prisoned the hand OF the Lord was so
upon him that he was soon exalted to
the throne of Pharaoh.
v. His Dealing With His Brethren
Genesis 41-44). He dealt harshly
with them, desiring to test their char
acters before revealing himself to
them.
vi. Joseph Reveals Himself to His
Brethren Genesis As :1-15).
/. Alone With His Brothers wv.
1-2). When his pent-up emotions could
no longer be restrained he ordered all
the men to withdraw. Here alone
with his brethren he made himself
known to them.S There are some emo
tons too sacred to disclose in the
presence Of unsympathetic men.
2. Conscience Smitten Brothers ".
81. When Joseph disclosed his iden-
tity they stood condemned In his pres
ence. They were smitten with guilty
conscience. A score of years before
they had put him into a pit to die, but
later lifted him out and sold him into
slavery. Now they are before him with
reversed positions. They are at his
mercy. Some day every man shall
face his sins unless they be cancelled
in the blood of Jesus.
8. Divine Providence Interpreted
wv. 49,. ~ His gracious invitation
". A.. Come near, I am your broth
er." How like the Savior. He is say
Ing unto sinners who have wronged
him. "Come near, am your brother"
(2) .Be not grieved" ". 81. He sought
by these words to allay the distress
, In which his brothers were. Jesus Is
saying the same kind words to repent
ant sinners today. (S) God sent me
to preserve life" wv. 5-8). God turned
the wicked thoughts Of these brethren
to good. God Is today making the
wrath of men to praise him. All that
Satan can do but furthers Gods pur-
poses. The very wicked thoughts OF
these brothers in attempting to de-
stroy Joseph were turned to the pres
ervation of their lives.
A. Joseph's Message to His Father
wv. 9-13). ~ "God hath made me
Lord of Egypt" ". 81. He made them
hasten to his father with the assur-
ance that God had elevated him to
place of lordship in Egypt. (2) Urgent
Invitation wv. 9-1O). His father
is invited to come. bringing his
children, grandchildren and flocks.
This must have been a great and JOY
full surprise to Jacob when famine and
death were facing him. (3) Promise Of
nOurishments during famine ". ~.
Jospeh did not allow his prosperity to
make him selfish. His character stood
the test Of prosperity. az Tell father
Of all my glory in Egypt ". 13). This
was not Boosting but an effort to con-
vince his father Of his ability to care
for him.
g. Joseph's Forgiving Love wv. II
16). Joseph weeping upon the neck
Of his brethren Is most touching
scene. There was entire forgiveness
there was full reconciliation. This
transcendant scene causes Joseph's
character to shine forth In Its true
glory.
A. II II Were Plate.