The midland journal., 1945-09-21


menl-Psalm 1918.
God rules the universe. He has
His plan which viii be carried out,
yes, even In spite of man II need
be. He can overrule the acts even
OF wicked men and make them links
in a chain of providence by which
His purposes are carried out"
Forgiveness, opening the way for
the restoration of fellowship and the
showing Of kindness, brought the sto-
ry of Joseph and his brethren to a
happy ending. Under the good hand
Of God, the story which began with
tragedy is brought to a conclusion
of blessing.
I. Love Overcomes Fear wv. LAY.
Following the earnest plea Of Ju-
dah, the heart of Joseph could no
longer withhold itself from the full
expression of affection and devotion
to his family.
Joseph tenderly shielded the FAM
lily troubles from the eyes and ears
of strangers by sending out the
Egyptians. 1t was the first step of
consideration which paved the way
for reconciliation. How often just
the opposite Is done-airing family
affairs before the world, and hunili-
ating those who may be in the wrong,
thus making it difficult for them to
admit their guilt.
| Then, too, this was a moment too
tender and delicate to be seen by
outsiders. The tears of a strong
man like Joseph mean deep move
ment of spirit-a solemn and often
q sacred moment.
It should also be noted that the
brothers were afraid, and well they
might be, because of their sin
against Joseph. After many years
these astonished men found them
selves face to face with the one
whom they thought they had dis
posed of and they knew their sin
had found them out. It always does,
sooner or later, but inevitably.
III. Grace Overrules Sin ". 81.
The guilt Of these men was none
theless real and Joseph could not
/
by showing how God had used their
evil devices to work out His own
good pleasure. He can make the
wrath of man to praise Him (Ps.
76:10).
1t is worth stressing again that in
the very hour when the prospects for
Joseph's future usefulness seemed
ruined, God was opening the door to
the greatest experiences Of his life
and was preparing him to serve the
thousands whose lives were saved by
his wisdom and ability in the years
of famine.
Nothing is more important In the
life Of a child of God than to be
yielded to His will, unmoved by cir
cumstances, abiding His time, re-
spending to His guidance whether it
be by the opening or closing Of
doors, prosperity or adversely. And
herein is the marvel of it all-even
sin may be overruled by Gods
grace for His own glory.
That does not invite anyone to sin
that grace may abound (Rom. g.:
/, y, but it does offer encourage
ment to the one who has fallen, that
God can redeem the years that the
locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25).
Our lesson also sets us an exam
pie Of how true forgiveness acts. So
often when forgiveness is asked or
granted, there is an II can forgive
but l can't forget" attitude, which
means that while hostilities have
ceased at least temporarily, there is
no real friendship or the disposition
to show kindness. Is there any real
forgiveness at all in such an atti-
tude of heart and mind7 We fear
| not.
III. Kindness Provides the Best
(vv. 9-15).
1t might have been enough to send
food and kind greeting with the
| brothers to their own land, but love
does not seek the minimum express
sion of its feeling. It asks not how
| little, but how much can I give or
do. Note the tender touch in verse
Is, ''he kissed all his brethren"
Here was no general forgiveness, but
. personal renewal of long-lost fell
lowship.
Bringing his aged father and
brothers into the land Of plenty was
not enough, Joseph also gave to
them the "best of the land'' (47:
11). His thoughtful consideration in
sending for his father (Gen. 46:5-O
was part of the same piece Of kind
ness.
Joseph puts to shame the modern
''hard-boiled" attitude toward needy
and aged members Of the family.
In their eager and relentless pursuit
Of fame or riches, many ignore or
trample upon the members of their
own families. Often they are
ashamed of the broken bodies, the
humble apparel. the broken or un-
educated speech of their parents.
They fear lest their new-found
friends in some circle Of wealth and
Al. -