1081 Joseph was: He believed that God had a plan for his life) ahd he looked back of and beyond the second cause or causes to the great first, cause. When we dp, this, what a strength and independence it gives us?. We realize that man’s actions are working out God’s purposes, and that though no man is guiltless for, wrong doing, yet, God can make even, the wrong doing work out His own ends. Rom. 8:28. We need this lesson today. II. Joseph’s Invitation to His Brethren and His Father, vs. 9-18. The good news must be communicated to the father as quickly as possible, and' so Joseph’s Command to his brethren is “ haste ye.” A good man never for gets liis folks, but always wishes to share with them the blessings.that he, himself, has received from God. The fifth commandment, though it was not given until long after Joseph’s time, was but the putting into words of the prin ciple upon which God always acted and still acts. The promise attached to “ Honor thy father and thy mother” is just as sure today as it ever was, and the command just as binding. In his treatment of his family Joseph gives no hint of any intention of visit ing judgment upon them for their ill- treatment of him. This was no change of attitude on his part. He never had felt any other way. The place that he chose for them lay on the border land of Egypt, being the nearest part of the country to Palestine. It was perhaps the finest bit of pasture for cattle that Egypt had. See how Joseph had .been thinking of them and planning for them, before ever he said a word about it to them. As to provision, though there were yet five years of famine ahead, they need have no fear. He would see that all their need was supplied, and as they looked around on the magnificence of his estate, could there creep into their minds any fear that he would not be able to fulfill his promise? Notice, too,
THE K I NG ’ S BUS I NESS proper order; and the five-fold portion that was sent to Benjamin; the breth ren’s departure and the arrest of Benja min; Judah’s eloquent plea. Gen. 44:30- 34. This would lead up to the setting of the lesson. I. Joseph’s Revelation to His Brethren, vs. 1-8. 1. As to Himself. Joseph’s heart, already full to over flowing, could not withstand Judah’s appeal. How little did Judah dream while he was trying, as he supposed, to touch the stern heart of the ruler of Egypt, that the ruler’s heart was almost bursting. How hard it is to get the sin ner, today, to understand the great, lov ing heart of God, yearning for the sin ner’s salvation! The scene was too sacred for Egypt ian eyes to look upon, and so all the servants were ordered out of the room, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren. So also will their Mes siah, whom they have rejected, reveal Himself to His brethren, who sold Him and delivered Him over into the hands of Gentiles. His strong assertion “ I am Joseph,” and his tender inquiry for his father were proof positive of his identity. Yet the brethren were troubled. It was not Joseph’s conduct to them that troubled them, but it was the haunting memory of their past sin. This is a picture of how the nation will be affected when Jesus, their Messiah, reveals Himself to them, and the sense of their sin will cause them to break out in wailing. Zech. 12:10-14. 2. As to God’s Purpose. Two things are worth noting about Joseph’s explanation of what had taken place: First, his kindness in suggest ing that though they were the instru ments, yet God, Himself, was the great author. In this way he tried to soften somewhat the sorrow which the con viction of sin had caused. In the sec ond place it shows us what a wise man
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