THE KING’S BUSINESS
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called at this time. God’s time is the best to shed forgetfulness or recollection on the chief butler. 3. Joseph Before the King. (1) His hu mility. Great souls are small in their own eyes. Paul says, “What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). Nebu chadnezzar is called “the Great,” yet how small he seems when boasting his greatness (Dan. 4:29-31). How great the Apostle who said, “Not I, but Christ” (Gal. 2:20). (2) His ascription to God, “God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” This was like the Lord Himself who testified, “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself, but the Father that dwelleth in Me” (John 14:10). “If any man think himself to be wise . . . let him become a fool that he may be wise” (1 Cor. 3:18). Pharaoh told his dream and Joseph gave the interpretation, which God vindicated by historical fulfillment, which is the seal of air prophecy (Deut. 18:21, 22). 4. Joseph’s Wise Counsel. (1) To ap point a competent administrator. To make one responsible man responsible. (2) Let him appoint overseers responsible to him. This is the commission form of govern ment, which has so approved itself in our days. It is God’s chosen administration who has found the right man, and put “all things under his feet” (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:21; Heb. 2:8, 9). (3) “And let them gather.” Here is wisdom, wisdom that looks ahead; that lays by in store for days to come; that makes use of opportunity against future, or possible extremity; that prepares today for the task tomorrow; that in time of peace prepares for war; that in days of youth fits for manhood; the wisdom that insures against fire, against accident, against death; that says “How shall I escape if I neglect so great salvation?” and heeds, “To day if ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts.” IV. J oseph E xalted . 1. Pharaoh’s Choice. (1) Pharaoh said unto'Joseph, “See, I have set thee over all Egypt.” Read his reasons (v. 38, 39), the Spirit of God in him; God’s past imparts-
(3) Marriage with nobility raised a hus band to equal rank (41:45). (4) The king’s signet endowed the bearer with royal authority (41:42; Esther 3:10; 8:3). Many Pharaonic rings have been found. (5) New names were given to new made nobles (41:45; Dan. 1:7; Rev. 2:17), as is done in England on elevation to the peer age, William Thompson became Lord Kel vin. The Lord exalts them of low degree (Matt. 1:52). So the inscriptions agree with and illus trate the Scriptures. II. P haraoh ’ s D reams . 1. They Were Substantial. God used the king’s superstition to further His purposes. See, too, Judges 7 :13, 14; Dan. 2 :l-45; 4 :1- 37; Matt. 27:19. 2. Their Form. They took shape from the facts: (1) That the Nile was the source of famine or plenty; (2) that the cow stood for fertility and was fat or lean as the Nile was high or low; (3) the grain was the product of the Nile washed soil; (4) the east wind was a scorching (“hot”) “sirocco;” and (5), perhaps, the flood was 1. The Magicians Fail. Pharaoh’s dreams troubled him. The world has dreams, dread forebodings, glimifiering hopes which trouble the thoughtful. Pharaoh’s seers could not help him. Earth’s philos ophers have found no satisfactory interpre tation of man’s soul dreams. Interpreta tions belong to God (Gen. 48:8), and are to be found in the law and the prophets; and these come and will come true to faith. 2. The Butler’s Remembrance. Had he been more grateful he would have been more mindful toward his friend in prison. Men will vow anything in trouble and for get everything when out of it. Lycurgus fixed a penalty for all crimes but ingrati tude, that he left to the gods. Did Joseph murmur at the providence that kept him so long in prison? But had the butler secured his release before he might not have been» late, and Pharaoh anxious. III. J oseph I nterprets .
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