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THE K I N G ' S BUS I NES S
May, 1937
you. I thought some very hard things about the likes of you, and I said some very hard things, but you do care about that girl of mine.” “ I might have preached until I was blind,” said the vicar in telling the story, “ and I should never have touched that man. W e are not going to touch a man a mile away. W e have to get right down into contact with him.”— Sunday at Home. When Joseph Saw His Father Again G enesis , C hapters 45 to 47 Memory Verse : “ Honor thy father and thy mother” (Ex. 20:12). Approach'. When .Joseph’s brothers went down to Egypt this second time, they were very different men from the jealous and
idential purpose was accomplished by set tling the family in Goshen. First, they had a place where they could increase in their wealth of livestock. Second, they could develop into a nation in a large measure of seclusion from the native Egyp tian influence. 3. The placing of the Israelites in Gosh en also served the purposes of the ruling Pharaoh, who doubtless was one of the Hyksos or Shepherd Kings who had con quered Egypt. The king’s own wealth con sisted of cattle, and he immediately placed the experienced Israelites in charge of his own herds (47:6). In order to secure the location in Goshen, Joseph was careful to instruct his brothers in advance to tell the king that they were cattle raisers (46:33, 34). The presence of the Hyksos dynasty of kings in Egypt at this particular time is just one more clear evidence of the working of the Divine Providence in history. In a London vicar’s parish lived a so cialist, one of whose daughters was taken ill with a fever. The vicar went several times to inquire after the girl, and on one occasion he found the father weeding his little garden. ‘‘Well,” he said, “how is the girl ?” There was no reply. He repeated the question, and at last the man looked up, and there were tears in his eyes. “ Oh, I hope the girl is not worse,” said the vicar. “ It ain’t the girl,” was the reply. “ It’s Golden Text Illustration E phesians 4:32
Some readers perhaps -would say, “This was the end,” and God’s promises to him were never fully realized. It must be remem bered that Joseph’s body one day will be raised from the grave, and he, in the flesh, will come into his full inheritance. “ Came to Beer-sheba, and offered sac rifices” (Gen. 46:1). Great as the joy of Jacob must have been at the news that Joseph was still living, he naturally hesi tated to quit the land of Canaan to which God had called Abraham and his seed. He knew that his father Isaac once had been forbidden of God to go down into Egypt (Gen. 26:2). It is entirely under standable, therefore, to find Jacob taking steps to learn the will of God before leav ing the land. Furthermore, no place could have been more appropriate than Beer- sheba, where both Abraham and Isaac had built altars (21:33; 26:25). And there the patriarch received the divine assurance that he sought: “ Fear not to go down into Egypt” (46:3). ■2. “ They came into the land of Goshen” (46:28). This was one of the richest sec tions of Egypt, located on the eastern edge of the delta of the Nile. It was primarily a rich pasture land, and hence was an ideal place for the Israelites, whose main occu pation was the raising of cattle and sheep. The place undoubtedly was not settled by native Egyptians, since they were pri marily agriculturists and hated all “ shep herds” (46:34). Therefore a twofold prov Points and Problems 1.
wicked young men who had cruelly sold their brother to be a slave. They were al most afraid to go back to Egypt. If they had not needed food badly, and if this great man in Egypt had not kept their brother Simeon until they should re
turn with the youngest brother Benjamin, they probably would not have gone. They must have wondered as they journeyed along what was going to happen to them this time. Lesson Story: But good things were in store for them. They were no longer proud and selfish. They were sorry and humble, « / v i ï t o *
Ten Days of Spiritual Feasting Await You! T w o m ighty men o f God w ill be am ong the conference speakers and leaders during the third annual Summer Bible Conference held under the auspices o f the Bible Institute o f L o s Angeles and the Church of the Open Door. AUGUST 28 to SEPTEMBER 6
“MEL” TROTTER , who has been used of God in the salva tion of thousands of people in every walk of life, will be pres ent to give a series of evan gelistic and inspirational mes-
CHARLES G. TRUMBULL , Editor of the Sunday School Times, will be one of the con ference speakers. This an nouncement is of interest to Bible-loving Christians every where. Ten -days in close «per
Dr. Trumbull
Mr. Trotter
sages. He will bring to the conference his testimony concerning the saving and keeping power of Jesus Christ. No one should miss the opportunity of hearing his dynamic messages on God’s transforming power— so well illustrated by his own life. Spiritual vigor and love for souls mark his ministry.
sonal contact with Dr. Trumbull as he speaks on the life of victory in Jesus Christ in an experience which no Christian will wish to miss. Dr. Trumbull will bring to the conference a testimony backed by a long life of rich fellowship with the Lord.
The opportunity to hear these two men together in a Bible con ference may never com e again.
The conference grounds at the Pacific Palisades are in a canyon near the sea, twenty miles from the heart of Los Angeles. Tent houses with housekeeping equipment for four people may be obtained for the ten-day period for as little as $20.50. More elaborate cottages range up to $33.00 with complete accommodations for four people. Rates are less for smaller groups.
For further information write to: THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES Incorporated Extension Department 558 So. Hope St. Los Angeles, Calif.
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