The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-03
e~~V@~~V~~
Improved 0 SUNDAY
Uniform o~-~~
-:-LESSON = =
BY REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST.
Dean of the Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.
g Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for June 6
JOSEPH'S READINESS FOF
SERVICE

SERVICE
LESSON TEXT-Genesis Al :33-44.
GOLDEN TEXT-Seest thou a man
diligent in his business? he shall stand
before kings. Proverbs 22:39.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Joseph's Errand.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Joseph Goes Before
the King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Ready to Serve.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Preparation for Public Service.
Public service-that position OF
opportunity and responsibility
merits far better treatment than is
commonly accorded to it, for we
know only too well how often it is
nothing but a political football car
ried hither and yon as the dictates
of partisan purposes may indicate.
Scripture holds a very exalted
view of the public servant. Paul
tells us to be subject unto the high
er powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are
ordained of God" (Rom. 13;D. The
Bible clearly teaches that every
governmental agency and every
public servant from the policeman
on the beat to the President in the
White House, is only permitted to
exercise authority over his fellow
men because God has ordained that
there should be such government.
Clear it is that every right-thinking
official of state and nation should
be humble, teachable, discreet. and
wise in the exercise of his power,
and God-fearing in the discharge Of
his responsibility.
Joseph, the one in the procession
of the patriarchs of Genesis who
passes before us in the lesson to-
day is interesting from many angles.
His personal history is charmingly
written and a model of appealing
biography. He is a marvellous type
of Christ, and one could devote
hours to such a study of his life.
But our lesson subject presents him
as one ready for public service, and
we may we'll profit by the lesson.
He is an example of what men
who serve their country should be.
L. Before God-Humble and
Teachable (vv. 1886.
The background of our lesson is
found in the four preceding chap
ters. Joseph, the boy with dreams
and aspirations, has learned obe-
dience, humility, purity, and many
other useful lessons in the hard
school of experience. 1t has well
been said that the tuition of that
school is high, but the lessons are
well learned.
Now he stands before the king to
interpret a double dream, sent as a
warning to the nation. The wise
men who knew not the true God
had vainly sought to answer the
kings questions. Joseph sets them
and us an example-he receives in
structions and guidance from God,
and speaks wise words because
taught of him. Would that all those
who stand as counsellors before
kings and presidents in our day
would listen for the voice of God be-
fore they speak.
III. Believe Men-Spiritual, Dis
Greet, and Wise wv. 37-39O.
Pharaoh recognized that the Spir-
it of God was in Joseph. That is a
great testimony for Joseph, and at
the same time it reflects credit upon
the king. Who can say what would
be the result if our government Of
ficials were chosen for their spir-
ituality?
Spirituality is not the only quail
fication, however, for such service.
The Christian who expects men to
favor him because he is Christian,
even though he be careless and in
competent. finds no comfort in the
study of Joseph. He was discreet
and wise. The follower of Christ
should distinguish himself by dill
CERT and intelligent application OF
all his powers to his work. Then
men will honor both him and his
God.
iii. In Service-Responsible and
Powerful (vv. 40-44.
He who had humbled himself un-
der the mighty hand of God was ex-
alted in due time. (See I Peter 5:6)
Joseph was willing to abide god s
time, and did not run ahead OF him
as did his father, Jacob.
The record shows that he used his
place of honor and privilege to per-
form a difficult and arduous task
and to do it well. Right-spirited
men do not glory in position or pow
er, but use the opportunity to give
themselves in sacrificial service to
God and their felloW-men. Some
one has aptly said that politician
is one who has his eye on the next
election while a statesman has his
eye on the next generation and its
welfare. God give us more states
men!