Evening star., 1924-01-12
Sunday School Lesson

the promises of Jehovah and the
hopes Of saving Joseph's face, he
started for Egypt in the carriages
which Pharaoh had provided for the
journey.
Joseph met his father and brethren
in Goshen, the fertile section or
Egypt that adjoins Palestine, where
the grazing was good and the supply
of fish abundant. Although they had
come upon the invitation of Pharaoh.
Joseph did not present them to the
court until after he had coached his
brethren so that they would make
the best impression and help him In
securing the rulers approval OF
granting them the privilege of per-
manent residence in Egypt. He took
the five, who in his Judgment would
impress the court. and presented them
with his aged father 10 Pharaoh.
whom he had advised of their coming.
Joseph understood the rulers dis
position and figured upon the natural
prejudice of the Egyptians against
shepherds in securing Pharaohs ap-
proval of Joseph's program OF as
signing to his family the privilege
of dwelling in Goshen. In providing
for their removal To Egypt Jehovah
was making provision for their de
velopment into great nation. The
unreasonable prejudice of men fire.
Dental program of God. If the fam
lily had remained in Palestine they
would have been forced to scatter
in their search for food, This prob
ably would have resulted in their
being absorbed by some of the strong
tribes. while transplantinG them TO
Egypt placed them in d school where
they would be Influenced by the
worlds greatest civilization and cul-
ture, free from the danger of being
absorbed by the Egyptians.
Before they were fully developed
they had to endure the baptism of
trial. trouble and tribulation. NO
soul or nation ever becomes great
through suffering. 1t takes such ex-
periences to develop character. The
providence of God at times appears
kind and at other times cruel. Some
times we are encouraged as the
Israelites were by the patronage of
the prime minister, who did not hest
tate from identifying himself with his
despised family. the approval of the
ruler and the opportunity TO develop
along the lines in which they were
specialists. They needed to be weld
ed into a unified nation by the ex-
perience of segregation and persecu-
ton which they were destined to eX-
perience during their long Sojourn
in Egypt 1t would require centuries
of training to mold them into a nation
that was to be Jehovah's interpreter
to men and nations.
Jacob revealed in his few words to
Pharaoh that he had experienced
trials that tested his faith, even as we
have seen they proved the sustaining
power of Joseph's faith. While the
blessing of an aged man was well
coined by Pharaoh, the richest bless
ing that we can get comes through
our following the example of Joseph.
Men are tempted today to compro-
mise righteousness in order TO obtain
worldly success. Men find ii difficult
TO remain honest when riches are the
reward Of dishonesty. 1t is not easy
to remain in a lowly place when sin
will lift one into a higher position.
1t calls for faith to keep along the
slow but sure road to success. Joseph
teaches us by his life and example
that there is no faith more vital to
godliness and success than faith that
God makes all things work together
for good to them that love Him. The
one who has confidence in the fact
that the Lord is always and under all
circumstances with the person who is
faithful to Him, and that He will
guide that soul successfully amidst
all the trials, temptations and trou-
bles of life to victory, will win. The
soul that sells his privilege of serv-
ing God by sin is destined to reap a
debased manhood and live dishonor-
able life. The psalmist had learned
from Joseph the lesson that Jehovah
will keep thee from all evil; He will
keep thy SOUL