Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1942-09-17

down our lives for the brethren.-J John
3:16.
The family is still the fundamental
unit of society, and is therefore Of
more Importance than the church,
the state, or the social order Of
which it is vital part. Every force
which encourages the breakdown Of
the sacred relationships of the home
and family is set for the destruction
of society itself.
Men have too often chosen to go
the way of the flesh, and therefore
they have disregarded Gods plan
and purpose. But marriage is just
as sacred as ever in His sight; the
home is to be kept for Him; and
brotherly love still finds a high place
among the virtues of real men.
Today's lesson is continuation of
the story of Joseph's life. AS we
study it we must bear in mind JOS
eph's dealings with his brethren.
who as yet did not recognize him
as the one they had sold into cap
tivity. He was bringing them kind
ly but definitely to the point Of real
repentance, so that he could show
himself gracious to them.
To do so he had brought disaster
upon them. Being happily on their
way homeward with a new supply
Of food, they were overtaken and
proved to be thieves. and Benja-
min. the beloved Of their father ia
cob, stood condemned by their own
words, to death.
In that crisis the mouths Of the
others seemed closed. but Judah.
who had really saved Joseph's life
Gen. 1925, 30 and who had APP
parently come to himself as man
Of essential goodness. pleaded for
Benjamin's life. That plea present
ed a truly sacrificial brotherly love,
as he manifested
1. Courage ". 49,.
Easy rests the yoke of family life
as long as all is joyful and prosper
GUS. But when adversely strikes,
when sorrow comes. or sickness, or
sin, then the true test of devotion
is at hand. ssa vs..
It was brave and manly thing
for Judah to stand before the one
whom he knew only as the man
who was "even as Pharaoh" The
circumstances were all against him.
He expected the flaming anger of
the offended ruler. His brethren
had collapsed in despair. 1t was one
of those dark hours which come to
every family when someone must
demonstrate true love by beng
strcng-hearted and steady.
ii. Intelligence wv. 1920.
Crises call for more than cheer
full smile or an encouraging word,
much as they may mean in such an
hour. We must be prepared by our
close contact with our loved ones to
speak and act with vigor and as
Surance.
Judah's plea is a masterpiece Of
augmentation and appeal, demon
strating that he was not only we'll
informed about his family and its
problems. but ready to use his
knowledge skillfully and effectively.
III. Self-Denial wv. 30-33).
One step deeper goes the devotion
Of this man to his father and his
brother. He had done no wrong that
merited punishment, but evidently
his brother Benjamin had been
guilty. Had he been Of the spirit Of
Cain he would have said, "Am
my brothers keeper" and let him
answer for himself. Why should Ju-
dab suffer for another? Why should
he allow himself to be imprisoned in
a strange land to save his father
from sorrow and his brother from
what seemed to be the just reward
for his deeds?
Thus reasons the man Of the
world, but such is not the language
Of the true brother, who says, Let
thy servant abide instead Of the lad
as bondman."
Nv. Love ". 3N.
Love for father and brother I'M
derlies all Of the courage, conviction
and self-sacrifice Of q man like Ju-
dab. In his younger years, and
possibly under the influence of his
brothers, he had failed In that re-
spect but now his real devotion to
his brother was evident.
That affection was a real, power
full, and beautiful thing, and vet it
is but faint prefguring Of the az
lection Of the One who ''sticketh
closer than a brother" who though
he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor. that We through his
poverty might be rich" prov. IS:
"a; II Cor. 8:9).
Let us improve the opportunity to
review our relations with our own
family, to determine whether there
Is aught that we in intelligent and
courageous self-sacrifce should do
for o,Yr our,