The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-06-09

3Se.
JUNIOR TOPIC -Benjamin's Big
Brother
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
'IC-What Boys and Girls Can Do for
Their Family.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Brotherhood.
.. Joseph Severely Tests His
Brethren az :9-44 ~.
Driven by sore need because Of the
famine, Josephs brethren came to
Egypt to buy food. AS Joseph per-
sonally dispensed the food, he imme-
diately recognized his brethren upon
their arrival in Egypt, but they did
not recognize him. In this test Joseph
!. Accused them of being spies
(42:9-1O. He declared that they had
come to see the nakedness of the land.
cency, he cast them into prison and
demanded that their younger brother
be brought as a proof Of the truth
fitness of their word.
2. He kept Simeon as a hostage
az 1889. Joseph declared that be-
CduSe HG tcdICu NOu uc Sclll Tic ICSI
home with provisions for their fam
flies. demanding that Benjamin be
brought to him. To further impress
them with his wisdom and power, Jo-
Seph ordered the money Of every one
to be restored in his sack. Upon the
discovery of the money they exclaimed,
~What hath God done to us?'
8. Benjamin's peril IA :2-13). BY
clever device Joseph's cup was placed
in Benjamin's sack and was used as
an occasion for bringing them back
on the charge of theft. Convicted
now of their sins and realizing the
seriousness of their situation, Judah
pleaded for the release of Benjamin.
Benjamin was now being held as the
one supposedly guilty of theft.
u. Judah's Pleas GA 1880.
I. For the turning away of Joseph's
anger wv. 1892. In this plea he re-
cited the history of the family. their
coming to Egypt, and appealed to Jo-
Seph on the basis of the effect upon
Jacob, their father. if Benjamin were
not permitted to accompany them
home. In most powerful and persua-
sive language he set forth the love Of
Jacob for Benjamin, the son of his
old age, and the sole survivor of his
beloved wife, Rachel. His plea was
as much for his father as for Benjamin.
2. That he himself might be kept in
slavery instead Of Benjamin wv. SO,
34). In this he showed his true worth,
that is, as being worthy Of the trust
reposed in him by Jacob his father.
III. Joseph Reveals His Identity
CAS- :1-15).
After such a plea as judah had
made it is not surprising that Joseph
could no longer restrain himself.
/. He declared his identity wv. 1-3).
This act on the part Of Joseph
troubled them. 1t ought to have made
them glad. Under ordinary circum-
stances this would have been a time
of exceeding joy, but their sins were
in the way. This not only affords
q beautiful example of forgiving love,
but most beautifully illustrates
Christ's dealing with his brethren, the
Jews. When the seven years of fam
ine came his brethren who had left
him and sold him were compelled to
come to him for aid. Joseph dealt
severely with his brethren to test
them and to bring them to repentance.
2. He babe his brethren come near
to him wv. 4-8). When he revealed
himself to them, the remembrance Of
their sins pierced them through. How
just it would have been now for Jo-
seph to take vengeance upon them.
JOseph's first question was about his
father, showing that his desire was to
put their thoughts far away from their
crime. He invited them to come near
unto him and assured them that God
had overruled their crime for saliva
ton. They meant it for evil, but 1t
was part Of Gods plan for good. He
comforted them. This is exactly what
Christ will do for his brethren, the
Jews. He will become reconciled unto
them and become their Saviour and
Benefactor. Just as all Egypt was
obliged to come to Joseph for susie
nance, and become the servants Of
Pharaoh through him, so will all the
world come to Christ for his blessing
and be reconciled to God through him.
8. Joseph sent his brethren away
with good news wv. 9-15). AS soon
as Joseph's brethren knew him and
were reconciled to him they were sent
with glad tidings to their father. AS
soon as the Jews come to know Jesus
Christ as the Messiah he will send
them away to the ends of the earth
with the good news Of his saving
grace.