307
August, 1945
3. “The days of the years of my pil* grimage" (47:9). Twice Jacob em ployed the word "pilgrimage” to ex press his estimate of his life. Life to him was a journey with a starting point and a destination. Certainly this world is not the believer’s home; he is only “tenting” here; he has every reason to be “other-worldly” in his attitude. However, as he passes through this world, he must seek to exert every possible influence for God and righteousness.
It appeared as if Pharaoh were in control of the situation, but he was merely the instrument by which God fulfilled what He had planned years before. He set His purposes in motion when He sent Joseph ahead to become the ruler in Egypt (cf. Psa. 105:16-24). Egypt was hot the home of Jacob and his family, but God could provide for them even when they were out of their own land of Canaan (v. 12). The working of God behind men and events is clearly seen in Israel’s his tory (v. 12). God permitted famine to reveal their utter dependence upon Him, and later He allowed their bond age to reveal their utter helplessness apart from Him. A ll providences merely fulfill God’s purposes eoneiern- ing His people, and all His purposes are beneficent. Points and Problems 1. “In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell" (Gen. 47:6). How did it come about that the children of Israel r e c e i v e d such a ready welcome in Egypt in view of the fact that every shepherd was “ an abomination unto the Egyptians” (Gen. 46:34)? Jacob and his followers were shepherds (47:3), yet they were given the best part of the land. Some have claimed this to be a contradic tion. But when the facts are known, there is no conflict. At the time that Israel migrated to the land of Egypt, the shepherd- hating Egyptians were not ruling. In their place was a dynasty of foreign, or shepherd, rulers called “Hyksos kings,” who had usurped control; Like the Israelites, they were shepherds; thus they had much in common with their visitors from Canaan. W h e n Jacob and his family came to Egypt, they found themselves among friends who understood them. These Hyksos kings had their headquarters in the northern part of Egypt where the chil dren of Israel were given the territory of Goshen. Sir Flinders Petrie, the great Egyptologist, states t h a t the Hyksos dynasty ruled from 2371 to 1583 B. C., which covers the period of this lesson. Subsequently, a dynasty arose in Egypt which bitterly opposed the children of God. 2. “And Jacob blessed Pharaoh" (47: 7, 10). Does it not seem strange that needy Jacob, who had come all the way from Canaan for bread to eat, blessed the ruler Pharaoh? Why did not Pharaoh perform the ceremony? His were the riches, the position, the influence. On the other hand, Jacob was a child of God, a possessor of hope and life and promise. He had un dergone a spiritual experience. Only the children of God can impart spir itual blessing to others. It is only they who have the Word of Life to com municate.
TheEuropean Evangelistic
Crusade, inc. was founded in 1930 by James A. Stewart to carry the Word of Life to Eu rope’s perishing millions in fellowship with all of God's
■people. James A. Stewart The international evange listic Bands under the hu man leadership of the Stewart brothers have been greatly used of God. “ DAWN IN DARK EUROPE“ The official Bulletin of the E. E. C. gives up to date news and information about the work, and has a definite spiritual ministry also. Subscription price 50c. For information and literature please write: IT. S. A. Office 1179 Delaware Ave., Buffalo 9, N. V, Canadian Office 4 Gowan Ave., Toronto 6, Ont. British Office 20 Algie St., Glasgow, S. 1, Scotland JAMES A. STEWART Founder and Field Director Milton L. Lovering, Home Director
For the Children h en J oseph S aw H is F a th er A gain G enesis 47 :7-12
AIM: To teach the importance of honoring one’s father and mother. M E M O R Y VERSE: “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Ex. 20:12). APPROACH: God’s Word tells chil dren to obey their parents and to hon or them. One of the most important commandments that God ever gave was, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Today we have the story of a great ruler who remembered to hon or his old father whom he had not seen for many years. LESSON STORY: You w ill remem ber that last week we learned how Joseph told his brothers who he was. They were frightened and expected to be punished for selling him as a slave, but Joseph gladly forgave them and said that God had sent him into Egypt to save their lives. Joseph sent the brothers home and told them to bring their father and their families to the land of Egypt where there was plenty of food. What a happy day it was when Joseph saw his father again after many years of separation! He brought his father to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, for Pharaoh had told Joseph to give his family the best in the land. After Jacob, Joseph’s father, and Pharaoh had talked together, Joseph gave the best of the land to his family as Pharaoh had command ed. No longer was it necessary for them to journey to another land for food, for Joseph gave them all that they wanted. Joseph might have felt that he had become too great to be bothered with his family; he might have treated them unkindly to show them his great power. But, because he loved God, he remembered to honor his father, and to show love for the other members of his family. AGENTS WANTED We need 500 Christian workers to sell our splendid religious line of Christmas cards, stationery, novelties, plaques, books, Bibles and other religious merchandise. Send for our large agents catalog. Î THE BOONE PUBLISHING {CO. P. O. Box 200 Des Moinèv IbWa ,
Pray for THE KING’S BUSINESS
Seed for this little hook THAT TAUGHT ME H OW JO GIVE AND RECEIVE
Sounds impossible? Give and receive at the same time? Not at all—not when you read “ A Gift That Lives!’ That’s the title o f a little book which has brought peace of mind and freedom from worry to thousands of men and women. You too may find in its pages just the Plan for you. Find out how you can receive an American Bible Society check regularly as long as you live—how you can at the same time further the work of distrib uting the Bible throughout the world. Annuity Agreements of the American Bible Society have proven a sound program for nearly 100 years and they stand today as firm and strong as ever. Every Christian should learn all the facts. Send for the booklet “ A Gift That Lives!’ M A IL THE C O U P O N TODAY ■ Please send me, without obligation, your I | booklet KB-60 entitled “A Gift That Lives!* | ■ Name ......................................................... * I I Address.. ! City .... . State ... American Bible Society, Bible House, NewYork, N. Y.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker