Evening star., 1932-06-11
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

sincerity in his eloquent plea, as we
read 1t today. When he referred to
Jacobs peculiar affection for Benjamin
there Is no indication Of the jealousy
That once filled their hearts. They
too, loved him. They had been traitors
and murderers in their attitude toward
Joseph. which Judah proved by offer
ing himself as slave In place of his
younger brother.
In making this offer Judah proved to
Joseph that he was q changed man
Judah's appeal that his father be
spared further suffering stirred the
soul Of the prime minister, who ordered
that everybody leave his office except
the IL brothers. The Egyptian officials
had never seen Joseph act as he was
doing. They could not understand his
order. but obeyed his commands.
Joseph Discloses Himself.
Joseph was not able to control his
emotions any longer after he heard
Judah's offer to become a substitute
for Benjamin on account Of the sorrow
and suffering that would be brought
upon their aged father. When the
Office was cleared, Joseph broke down
and speaking to them In the Hebrew
tongue revealed himself as Joseph, their
brother. Judah had demonstrated that
he was a true brother by his offer, and
now they were surprised by Joseph s
revelation of himself as their brother
They had not noticed anything IA
miliar in the stern Egyptian executive,
but now when he spoke in their native
tongue they commenced to see the
signs that he was Joseph, whom they
had sold into slavery.
He did not wait for them to fall upon
the ground and seek forgiveness. There
was no desire to get even with them
He urged them to approach him and
accept the forgiveness that he offered
them by pointing out that there was
another side to his experience. Looking
back, he saw the hand Of God directing
their actions, so that he might be in a
position to save them. He fell upon
Benjamin's neck and wept for Joy that
they had come together once more. He
kissed all his brethren, which was a
seal Of their forgiveness and restoration
OF fellowship, that was made possible by
Judah proving that he was a brother
indeed.
They talked over the conditions in
Egypt and In Palestine During that
conversation, Joseph told Of his expert
ences and trials that resulted in his
being In his exalted place He planned
to have Benjamin share his good
fortune, but now he urged them to re-
turn and inform his father Of his posi-
ton, carrying back to Jacob some of
the corn that Joseph had collected He
told them that the famine would last
f1Ve years more and sent a hearty in
vitation for his father to bring all the
family into Egypt, where he provided
place for them and their herds. He
not only recognized them and extended
forgiveness to all who had wronged him,
but he publicly recognized his connec-
tion with them even when shepherds
were not looked upon with favor in the
land. They left filled with the realiza-
ton OF the meaning OF true brother
hood, that does not cherish grudges,
animosities or hatreds. Love develops
unity among all races and nations.
Brotherhood cements the people Of
every country and creed by its unifying
power OF love and fellowship. Let us
love one another and help build up an
attitude Of brotherhood in the hearts
and lives Of all classes and countries.