THE KING’S BUSINESS
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tion of understanding to him; his manifest discretion and wisdom. If you want prefer ment seek wisdom from God (James 1:5), act discreetly in all stations, and take your opportunity when it comes. (2) The signs of authority. The signet ring, vestures of fine linen (worth twice its weight in gold, worn only by the nobles), a gold chain (the Egyptians were great jewelers and gold smiths, their styles are copied today), a chariot (their splendor described on the monuments), before it the subjects should bow and cry “Abrek!” “Kneel” (?) as it passed with “Pharaoh’s horses,” absolute power over the subjects of Pharaoh, the new name, “Saviour of the World” ( ?), a princess in marriage. What weighty honors Some other Golden Text would have more appropriately suggested the theme of this lesson. Twenty-one years have pass ed since Jacob fled from his home through fear of Esau. He had taken advantage of Esau’s need and bought his birthright for a mess of pottage. He had listened to the seductive entreaties of his mother and deceived his old father. He had been deceived bv his uncle Laban and compell ed to pay a big price for his sin and as yet he had not the birthright. “Conscience doth make cowards of us all,” and Jacob is no exception. He fears and dreads to meet the man whom he had so bitterly wronged. He is fresh from a wonderful experience with the Lord and the dews of God’s grace are upon him, but the nature of Jacob has not been changed. He had prevailed with God, but now the crafty. Jacob nature prevails in him and he plans a demonstration and a suitable gift to appease the well-earned wrath of his brother. He judges Esau by himself and calculates that flocks and herds L esson III— A pril 20, 1913. Golden Text—Eph. 4:32.
he has “wHbm the King delighteth to honor” (Esther 6:7), in this case it was not so much the king but the King of kings. (3) The exercise of his office. The years of plenty came and went, the years of famine followed. Joseph laid up grain as the sands of the sea (v. 49). Two sons were born to become leaders of the future Israel, Man- asseh, “I have forgot my troubles,”' Ephraim, “They have borne fruit.” (4) Joseph when he was exalted “opened the storehouses” (v. 56). (5) Now we shall see the “sheaves” come and bow down to him (Gen. 37:6-8). How we are reminded of our Lord Jesus as we read of Lord Joseph. But more of that hereafter. will atone for any wrong. The sin of Jacob here is the sin of doubt and distrust of God and yet Jacob is not alone in this sin. This is the sin so common with God’s neople. After Elijah’s wonderful experience at Carmel, where God set His seal to Elijah’s confidence in Him by a mighty miracle, we have Elijah whimper ing like a spoiled child. How could Jacob ever doubt God, when He had so gracious ly preserved him, returned him to his own kindred and blessed him with a new name ? We do not understand it, neither do we understand how believers who have been kept, provided, sustained, helped out of ten thousand difficulties, doubt the goodness and grace of their Lord. God had graciously touched the heart of Esau and we cannot but admire the gen erous hearted attitude with which he met the decision. He was a worldling. He had placed no value'Upon the birthright. He had brought reproach upon his parents by his marriage to a heathen woman, but in the present picture he commands our admiration in contrast with Jacob, who makes his bow to Esau and acknowledges
The Heart of the Lesson By T. C. HORTON
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