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Points and Problems 1. "Then Joseph could not refrain himself" (Gen. 45:1). Joseph could withhold his emotions no longer. Ju dah’s stirring plea recalled such mem ories of the past that it was impossi ble for him to restrain himself. True love must express itself. This is not only true in the natural realm; it is equally applicable to the spiritual do main. The soul that has truly loved the Lord Jesus Christ will find it im possible to go on indefinitely without expressing that love to others. Paul said, ‘‘The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14)'. This love is the motivating force which impels Christ’s followers to be His ambassadors. 2. "Cause every man to go out from me" (45:1). The natural man would have made public on this occasion the wickedness of Joseph’s brethren in their past treatment of him. Joseph had no desire to retaliate by bringing pain to them. No outside eyes looked on as Joseph identified himself. ‘‘There stood no man with him” w h i l e he made known to his brothers that he was the long lost Joseph. True love has regard for the feelings of others no matter how wrong their past ac tions. Joseph did not pour salt in the wound. Thus he became one of the best examples of a forgiving spirit to be found in the Bible. 3. "God did send me before you to preserve life" (v. 5). Here is a striking illustration of the overruling provi dence of God. The brethren of Joseph had sinned grievously in their treat ment of him. Yet God saw to it that it worked out for his good and for the salvation of many lives. God often works like this; He causes the very wrath of men to praise Him. AIM: To teach that Christians are always gentle with those who have wronged them and are willing to for give, MEMORY VERSE: "Be gentle un to all” (2 Tim. 2:24). APPROACH: Joseph’s brothers had thought that after they sold him he had probably died in the land of Egypt. God had allowed him to be taken to Egypt that he might save many lives. Among those whose lives he saved were his family who twice came to Egypt to buy corn. LESSON STORY: At first Joseph had been stern with his brothers and had not told them who he was. When they came the second time and told him about his father, he could not keep his secret any longer. He asked everyone except his brothers to leave. When they were alone, he wept, and told them who he was and asked For the Children. T welve B rothers G enesis 45:1-5
them about his father. The brothers were so surprised and frightened that they could not even answer him. They felt certain that he would punish them severely for selling him as a slave. He asked them to come close to him while he talked with them. He told them not to be afraid for God had sent him into Egypt to save their lives. He might have been very angry and used his great power to make them sorry for their sin; instead, he gladly for gave them and treated them kindly. Those who love the Lord Jesus will always be willing to forgive. LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 30 The Israelites in a Foreign Land LESSON MATERIAL: Geneai» 47:1-12, GOLDEN TEXT: “ Lord, thou hast been ov^jdwelling place in all generations” (Psa. Outline and Exposition I. A ccepted in E gypt (G e n . 47:1-10) Joseph instructed his brethren to answer the question of the Egyptians, “What is your occupation?” by stat ing that they were shepherds. Be cause "every shepherd is an abomina tion to the Egyptians” (46:34), this would insure their isolation, and pre pare the way for permission to dwell in Goshen (vs. 1-4). Pharaoh acceded to their request and allowed them to settle in Goshen, "the best of the land.” Moreover, Pharaoh offered to employ Joseph’s brethren as "rulers over my cattle,” because they were accustomed to flocks and herds (vs. 5, 6). At last Joseph brought his father to Pharaoh and "Jacob blessed Pharaoh,” twice. Whether Pharaoh was aware of it or not, Jacob gave this blessing as to an inferior (cf. Heb. 7:7). In his poverty and home lessness, Jacob did not forget he was God’s man and that he was superior spiritually when it was a matter of giving and receiving blessing (vs. 7- 10). Egypt had its gods; Pharaoh had his deities; but Jacob represented the one living and true God, ruler over all in Heaven and on earth. II. A ssisted in E gypt (47:11, 12) By the providence of God, Jacob and his family were placed, in the land of Goshen. In that land God would multiply them, keep them sep arate from Egyptians, and make them to grow into the nation He intended to use as His special people. It would have been well for Israel had they recognized that they were chosen by God for a particular purpose. It would be well for the Church, too, if she ac knowledged the same thing; it would preserve her from the worldliness and impotency with which she is marked today.
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