October 21, 1951 GOD 'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE Gen. 47:1-7; 59:18-24 Pointers on the Lesson
AMERICA’S HOUR OF DECISION Featuring a L ife Story o f BILLY GRAHAM
This week’s lesson presents a magnifi cent illustration of the truth set forth in Romans 8:28. For those who love the Lord everything works together for good. At times this seems not to be so, but in the end it will be revealed that it took the shadow as well as the sunshine, the valley as well as the mountaintop, to work out God’s complete plan in our lives. The selling of Joseph into bondage in Egypt did not appear to be a thing that would minister blessing to Joseph and his people, but so it proved to be. God’s Providence in Preserving Through God’s providence, Joseph had already gained favor with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Because of his ability to inter pret the dream of Pharaoh, Joseph was soon exalted in Egypt. He came to oc cupy a position in the kingdom second only to Pharaoh himself (41:41-44). During the time of the great famine, Joseph was the sole dispenser of corn to the Egyptians and to the nations round about (41:55-57). Now in the les son before us this same Joseph is in fluential in obtaining for his own people a very choice section of the land of Egypt for their dwelling place. God’s overruling hand is seen in His dealings with His people at this time in view of the fact that Jacob and his descendants were shepherds. Shepherds were “an abomination unto the Egyp tians” (46:34). How then could it be expected that the Israelites would re ceive any sort of favorable consideration at the hands of Pharaoh? The answer seems to lie in the fact that at this particular time there was ruling in Egypt a dynasty of Shepherd or Hyksos kings. They were usurpers of the gov ernment in Egypt, not native Egyptians. Unlike native Egyptians, they had a shepherd background themselves, having probably come into the land from some part of Asia north of Palestine. Thus the Israelites, who were shepherds (v. 3), found themselves dealing with a ruler who had a shepherd background and were favorable to those who had a like background. Josephus, the Jewish historian, speaks of these Hyksos people as “ our ancestors” . Some time later, the Hyksos dynasty was driven out of Egypt and the native Egyptians resumed con trol of the government again and trouble for Israel followed as we see in Exodus 1:8 and following. However, at the time of our lesson everything worked out well for Israel and they became settled in an ideal section for those who had flocks, even the land of Goshen. Joseph’s Unwavering Faith Gen. 50:18-24 Men of smaller caliber would have seen nothing good coming out of such His People Gen. 47:1-7
and a sixteen-page picture section covering glimpses from the evangelist’s life and dramatic shots from his latest campaigns.
This new 160-page book includes chapters on Portland, Minneapolis, Fort Worth, Shreveport, At lanta, Memphis, The Rose Bowl Rally, the Follow-up program for converts, and the inside story of how his radio broadcast, “The Hour /of Decision,” came into being. Also several of Billy Graham’s sermons and Har old Ockenga’s momentous message on communism. This hook will be mentioned on the 250-station ABC network and television stations from coast to coast when the new Billy Graham television program begins in September. Get your copy from your local bookstore or
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WR I T E S AN E A S T E RN MI NI S T E R "When I saw my examination copy, 1 knew the wide range of beautiful hymns would fill our church's needs. I also found all the favorite gospel songs of my con* gregation. The bright new hymns were ideal^ for^ our Young People's gathering . . . and then the 60 inspiring readings convinced me. We are delighted." Write today for your FREE EXAMINATION COPY NOW ONLY $1.30 each, $105.00 per 100 plus shipping RÔDEHEAVER HALL-MACK CO. 119 Ninth St., Winona Lake, Ind. West Branch- 1151 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, C al. Nome---------------— ----------------------Title-------------------- Name of Church------------------— --------------------------- — Address___________ —---------------------------------- :-------------- City__________________________ Zone_______State--------------------- Song books now used--------------------------------------------- We will need new books about.»------------------------------
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