King's Business - 1931-03

March 1931

115

T h e

K i n g ’ s

B u s i n e s s

silence the men beside him escorted him to a deserted farm. He alighted. He went in the door and—he was in the General’s arms. “Djemileh reached the heart of me,’,’ the General told Nikolai as the motor hummed and roared through the night. They were making for a group of out-going col­ onists who were to escape to Vilna, in Poland, not too far from the border. These people did not like the col­ lective government farms and had obtained permission to leave. “It was all Djemileh,” the old General said. “I could never say ‘no’ to the one who was my little girl. I tried, too, to rescue the young musician-whom we found con­ veniently placed near you. I wished to keep your heart up when I heard they had placed you over ‘the hole.’ That is a famous trick of theirs. I knew you would remember our family concerts and feel that help was near. But the poor young musician!” A sudden thought came to Nikolai. “Was he pale and blue-eyed?” he began, and then described him. Yes, it was he! The one who, for some mysterious reason, in the windings of Russian justice and injustice, had been permitted to play daily. “He will soon be silent; let him play.” This man had gone to his death, while he, Nikolai, was away and over the border! And he had sat by him without knowing it. But Christ had conquered even in the death chamber, and God in His goodness had allowed Nikolai to lead this lost one to his merciful Saviour. On and on pounded the mighty engine of the great car, bearing them to liberty. And even as Nikolai dozed, he would awake to realize that the young musician had looked his executioner calmly in the eye and been able to say:— “This is my crowning hour. I am victor because I am unafraid. And I am not afraid because Christ has taken away my sin. Let all Russia know my Vale! And tell them I have seen the Light.” m 6. Jacob. This man stands for the people who bear his name and reflect his character, whether as Israel, the prince with God, or as Jacob, deceitful and defeated. His life-story anticipates their experiences of tribulation, both age-long among the nations whither they have gone, and finally in their age-ending return to the land. Jacob’s double dealing drives him from the land of his home, only to meet with many troubles in the land of his sojourn. And when he would return, his fleshly brother Esau is already in the land and there to be reckoned with. And who is Esau, or Edom? We find him today in the Mo­ hammedan-minded people who, occupying Palestine, are disputing Jacob’s right to return to their land. Most significantly, the tribulation is called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7). 7. Joseph. Of all these lives, Joseph’s is cast into the most strikingly symbolic mould. He embodies a por­ traiture, marvelous in detail, of our Lord in both His hu­ miliation and exaltation. It is impossible to read this life with any degree of appreciation and fail to be impressed Structure in Scripture (Continued from page 107) born, Esau and Jacob, in initial and continual conflict, we see the new covenant children contending, the carnal and the spiritual.

with its prophetic and designed anticipation of Christ. We can do no better than to refresh our memory with an enumeration of the more evident lineaments, all capable of corroboration by New Testament reference: Sent by the Father His obedience Well-beloved son Vision of future exalted position Ready to serve Went seeking missing ones

Hated by brethren Hated for words Envied for words “Came where they were” Hatred increased the more he spoke

Conspired against “Let us kill him” Mocked and stripped him

Cast into a pit They sat down ' Judah (Judas) Sold to foreigners Reported dead Falsely condemned

Put in prison—place of death Numbered with transgressors ~Innocent Raised up—to seat of power Loaded with honors Made Lord All power given him Obtained bride Tempted and untainted Full of the Spirit Made known to brethren on second visit Brethren blessed through him. C hr ist in G enesis

It will be noted that there is no symbolic life beyond the seventh, none to typify God’s eternal rest. This is as we would expect. These men typify the man Christ Jesus; no man can typify God and eternity. _ The reader may well review these lives to observe the progress of the story of redemption which they un­ fold : Adam, the universal need of salvation; Abel and Isaac, the means of redemption through sacrifice, and that of the Son, together with the present age of grace proceeding therefrom; Noah and Jacob, the times pre­ ceding the tribulation, when it will again be “as it was in the days of Noah,” with the great tribulation, experienced by “Jacob” and the nations; the millennial reign in which the man, our Joseph, is on the throne for blessing, and Abraham’s posterity are central to world-wide peace and prosperity so long promised. Illustrated Bible Lectures Dr. Edward A. Marshall gave three addresses recently in the Church of the Open Door. The audiences increased from night to night, and on the last evening, in spite of a heavy rain, the house was crowded. Dr. Marshall has a real ministry for the church in the present hour. His unique method of illustrating Bible truths makes an indelible impression upon the heart as well as upon the mind.

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