LEADING PERSON

#Joseph.#--Son of Jacob. A favorite son (Gen. 37:3) and a dreamer (Gen. 37:5-11). Hated by his brothers and sold into Egypt (Gen. 37:12-28). A slave, but honored; then cast into prison (Gen. 39:1-20). By interpreting a dream of Pharaoh he was brought into high honor, and became Pharaoh's prime minister (Gen. 40:1 to 41:45). Stored up grain in Egypt to provide for a famine; relieved the needs of his brothers, who journeyed to Egypt in search of food; finally invited his father's family to live in Egypt (Gen. 42:1 to 47:12).

#Other Persons.#--Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, owner of Joseph the slave. The butler and the baker of Pharaoh, confined in prison while Joseph was there, and the indirect means of Joseph's exaltation. Jacob, Joseph's father; and Joseph's brothers who sold him into Egypt.

#TIME.#--1752 B. C. to 1643 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Dothan, in Palestine. Egypt.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--As a result of Joseph's invitation to his father and brothers, with their family, to come to Egypt and partake of his bounty, the Hebrew nation, through its leader, was transplanted to Egypt. Their sojourn as a people lasted many years; and brought them into subjection to the Egyptian monarch (Exod. 1:8-14).

Joseph--Prisoner and Prime Minister

Here we have a wonderful character. The life of Joseph may be divided into two parts. First, his humiliation. Second, his exaltation.

#24. Joseph's Humiliation.#--Genesis 37, 39, and 40. We see him first as his father's favorite, unwisely made conspicuous by the dress that his doting father gave him. This arouses his brothers' envy. This envy was further intensified when Joseph told them the dreams that he had, which plainly foretold his exaltation, but which made them angry. Even his father seems to have balked at the second dream (Gen. 37:10). Now comes the cruel plot of the heartless brothers, planned at Dothan, though, through the providence of G.o.d, not fully carried out. Their definite purpose is to put him out of the way, "and we shall see what will become of his dreams."

25. Here then we have a clear statement of G.o.d's plans and men's plans with regard to this seventeen-year-old lad. G.o.d proposes to make him mighty in deeds for the welfare of G.o.d's people. Men propose to put him to death. These two plans cannot both be carried into effect.

Which is to prevail? The story is a fascinating unrolling of the divine plan and the complete thwarting of the human plan.

#26. Joseph the Slave.#--The brothers change their plan, and sell Joseph to traveling Midianites. These take him to Egypt, and sell him to Potiphar, an officer in Pharaoh's court. Note here his fidelity in all things, so that he becomes really the overseer in Potiphar's house (Gen. 39:6). Instead of resenting his purchase by Potiphar, he takes things most patiently, and does his duty bravely.

#27. Joseph in Prison.#--Once more, through no fault of his own, Joseph suffers further degradation. To prison he goes. We said "through no fault of his own." This is an understatement, for it was on account of his fidelity to his master that he was shamefully traduced, and so sent to jail. Yet even here his spirit of loyalty to duty did not desert him. Again we find him trusted and put in charge of all prison matters. (Gen. 39:22, 23.) But what has become all this time of G.o.d's plans for Joseph? Are they to be thwarted? Nay, wait until the fulness of time, and then note how G.o.d's plans ripen, and are fully perfected. In the meantime note Joseph's wonderfully sweet spirit. See how he notices the sad countenances of butler and baker in prison. Note how he sympathizes with them, and tries to help them.

Here again, as in the case of Abraham, we see the exemplification of the Golden Rule, long before it was uttered. Had Joseph been like some modern men, he would have taken vengeance on the butler and baker, they being Egyptians. He would have said, "These Egyptians have enslaved and imprisoned me for no fault of mine. Now is my chance, and I will pay them back." But no such bitter thoughts seem to have entered his pure mind. In the meantime note his steadfast faith in G.o.d and his persistent loyalty to duty, however hard that might be.

#28. Joseph's Exaltation.#--This came with a leap. The story is familiar. But in studying the lesson, let the student not fail to read it once more, most carefully. If it seem somewhat incredible that Pharaoh should make a prime minister out of a prisoner at one stroke, bear in mind that in the East they do not do things in Western fashion. Even to this day

"East is East, and West is West, And never the two shall meet."

The writer during his boyhood knew of a case ill.u.s.trating Eastern methods, which took place when he was living in his home in Constantinople. The Sultan had a dentist. One day while his dentist was off hunting, the Sultan got a toothache. He sent for his dentist, but could not get him. His courtiers then got hold of a poor dentist who could hardly make his living. He went to the palace and extracted the offending molar. At once the Sultan deposed his regular dentist, put this man in his place, created him a pasha, or peer of the realm, gave him a large stipend, and a palace in the city and another in the country. Thus at one stroke the man pa.s.sed from obscurity to prominence, and from poverty to wealth. This is the manner of the East.

Now we begin to see G.o.d's plans working out manifestly. Yet all this time his brothers think that their plans have succeeded and that the "dreamer's" career is ended. No, the "dreamer's" career has just begun.

#29. The Seven Years of Plenty.#--Now follow years of great activity, and of much honor for the former prisoner. Up and down the land he goes and gathers grain in untold quant.i.ties. As he goes they all cry, "Bow the knee," and prostrate themselves in the dust before him. At seventeen years of age he was sold by his brothers. For thirteen years he was slave, or prisoner. Now for seven years he is prime minister.

Yet all the time Jacob thinks that his boy is dead. How little did the old Patriarch suspect that during all these weary years G.o.d was working out his blessed plans for his people.

#30. The Seven Years of Famine.#--Once more Joseph and his brothers stand face to face. The last they saw of him was when they heard his bitter cry, and turned a deaf ear to his entreaty. Twenty years have made a great change in him and they do not recognize him. His treatment of them may seem harsh, but he knew what kind of natures theirs were, and that to do them good he must first humiliate them.

Out of kindness he was stern. To mend them and their ways he must first break them.

#31. Israel in Egypt.#--G.o.d had told Abraham that his seed must go down to Egypt, and now comes the fulfilment of that prophecy (Gen.

15:13-15). During the life of Joseph all went well with the sons of Jacob. They had the best of the land, and dwelt in peace. G.o.d's plans have been carried out to the minutest details, and the plans of evil-minded men have miscarried. G.o.d has caused even the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder he has restrained. Joseph's brethren are content to bow before him, and even Jacob sees that his words of Genesis 37:10 were not wise. The wisdom of man is seen to be folly, and it has been proved that "the foolishness of G.o.d is wiser than men." (1 Cor. 1:25.)

#32. Joseph's Faith.#--On his death-bed Joseph takes an oath of his people saying that G.o.d will surely visit his people and bring them in due time to the land promised to Abraham. He charges them to remember his body when they march out, and take it with them, and lay it away in its final resting-place in the Land of Promise. Many years pa.s.s.

Liberty is exchanged for oppression. The bitter cry of the people rises to G.o.d. All this time the body of Joseph (doubtless embalmed) is not finally buried. His real funeral has not yet taken place. This is the longest delayed funeral on record. Then at last comes the Exodus, and lo, they remember that oath that Joseph took of them, years before, and out with them goes his body. For forty years they carry it with them, and only then they lay it away in the Land of Promise. (See Gen. 50:24-26. Exod. 13:19, and Josh. 24:32.)

Test Questions

Into what two sections may we divide Joseph's life?

Why were his brethren envious of him?

What further intensified their hatred?

Give the plan of G.o.d and the plans of men with regard to Joseph.

What action did Joseph's brethren finally take with regard to him?

Into whose household did the lad come in Egypt?

What signs have we that in all this Joseph did not lose his faith in G.o.d, or lose his convictions as to duty?

How did Joseph's exaltation come so suddenly?

Give an ill.u.s.tration of this from modern Eastern life.

How long was it between the sale of Joseph and the first appearance of his brethren to buy corn?

Why did Joseph treat his brothers as he did when they first came to him?

What remarkable proof have we of Joseph's steadfast faith in G.o.d's promise?

What two most peculiar facts may be noted with regard to Joseph's body?

Lesson 5

Moses

Old Testament Division--Third Period (Continued)

LEADING PERSONS

#Moses.#--Son of Amram and Jochebed (Exod. 6:20). Adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Exod. 2:1-10). Took the part of the oppressed and had to flee (Exod. 2:11-14). Shepherd for forty years and married (Exod. 2:21). Called to deliver his people, but was timid (Exod. 3:1-10). Had various contests with Pharaoh (Exod. 5 to 12). Led people out of Egypt triumphantly (Exod. 14). Received the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20). Built the Tabernacle (Exod. 25). Led the people to the borders of the Promised Land, but was turned back on account of their sins (Num. 13:1 to 14:34). Died on Mount Nebo (Deut. 34).

Reappeared on Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:3).

#Aaron.#--Brother of Moses. Made high priest (Exod. 28 and 29). Sinned in the matter of the golden calf (Exod. 32). Died on Mount Hor (Deut. 10:6).

#TIME.#--1578 B. C. to 1458 B. C.

#PLACES.#--Egypt and Sinaitic Peninsula, then east of the Jordan valley.

[Ill.u.s.tration]