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International S. S. Lessons

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 23, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 25.

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International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8
LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, MAY 6, 1894.

JOSEPH'S LAST DAYS.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as in the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 50:14-26.

  1. And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.
  2. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
  3. And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
  4. So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil; and now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
  5. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
  6. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not; for am I in the place of God?
  7. And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
  8. Now therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
  9. And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.
  10. And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees.
  11. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
  12. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
  13. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Golden Text: "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Give an account of the events which intervene between this and our last lesson. Note 1.
  2. After Joseph and his brethren buried their father, what did they do? Verse 14.
  3. How did Joseph's brethren feel after their father was dead? Verse 15.
  4. What did they conclude to do? Verse 16.
  5. What was the message which they sent? Verse 17, first part.
  6. What petition did they themselves ask?
  7. How did Joseph regard their humble petition? Verse 17, last part.
  8. How did they still further show their contrition? Verse 18. Note 2.
  9. What answer did Joseph make to their prayer? Verse 19. Note 3.
  10. How did Joseph gently reprove them? Verse 20, first part.
  11. How did he say that God overruled it? Verse 20, last part.
  12. How did he comfort their hearts? Verse 21.
  13. Till what age did Joseph live in Egypt? Verse 22.
  14. How many generations of his children did he see?
  15. How did he in his last days show his faith in God's promises? Verse 24.
  16. What did he make his brothers promise under oath? Verse 25.
  17. How did the children of Israel fulfill his request?
"And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you." Ex. 13:19. See also Judges 24:32.
  1. What is said of his death? Verse 26. Note 4.
  2. What was exemplified in the life of Joseph from the beginning to the end? Golden text.

NOTES.

1. Our last lesson closed with Jacob and his family preparing to go down to Egypt. Chapter 46 tells us that the Lord assured Jacob that he would be with him, that he should not fear to go to Egypt,that he should there meet Joseph; the names of Jacob's sons are given, and his meeting with Joseph. Chapter 47 tells how Joseph told Pharaoh that his father and brethren had come, and how Pharaoh gave them the land of Goshen in which to dwell; how the famine prevailed, and, after all the money of the Egyptians was taken, Joseph took their land; and that after this transaction the land belonged to the kingdom, and those who tilled the land gave one-fifth of the crop to the government. The last part of the chapter gives an account of the death of Jacob at 147 years of age, and the promise which he exacted of Joseph to bury him in the land of Canaan. Chapter 48 is taken up with the account of how Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, giving Ephraim the preference over Manasseh, the first born, and adopting them as his sons. Chapter 49 is a record of the prophecy which Jacob gave concerning his sons, the great spiritual blessings of which center in Judah, and in Christ, who should come through Judah. Verses 1-14 of chapter 50 tell us of Jacob's death, the embalming of his body, the mourning for him threescore and ten days, and how Joseph and his brethren went up out of Egypt to Canaan, and buried him in the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. This brings us to our lesson of to-day. The intervening history is very full of remarkable incidents and great practical, spiritual lessons.
2. They said, Behold we are thy servants.—The conscience of Joseph's brethren had again become quickened. It was about forty years before that Joseph had told them his dreams. They then said in the pride and stubbornness of their hearts, 'Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?' In about twenty years after this they themselves bowed down before Joseph, not knowing that it was he, supposing him to be the king of Egypt. In that they fulfilled the dream unconsciously, but now they come to Joseph and fall down voluntarily, knowing that it is Joseph, and say, 'Behold, we are thy servants.' How their hearts must have been pained as they thought of the time forty-one years before when the one before whom they were bowing, a mere lad, stood with them, and cried and plead with them not to take his life or sell him as a slave! and how much more must their hearts have been touched when Joseph wept with them and again freely granted them his forgiveness!
3. Am I in the place of God?—That is, he would have his brothers understand that God had overruled it all, and that it was not for him to judge the instruments whom God had used. It was truly the Spirit of Christ which Joseph possessed. Like Christ he committed his cause to Him that judges righteously, knowing that God would make all things work together for good to them that love him.
4. And they embalmed him.—T. Smith says: 'According to the usual custom, Joseph's body [after it was embalmed by means of spices and drugs of various kinds] was put into a coffin. This coffin, or mummy case, was probably made of wood, and on the lid of it there was probably a representation of the deceased, whilst the whole of it would be decorated with various colors.' This coffin was probably kept in the house of Ephraim, his principal son. These coffins, fragrant with the odor of spices, were often kept for centuries in the halls of entertainment in the family mansion.
LESSON XVIII.—SABBATH, MAY 5, 1894.

SPEAKING PEACE.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 8: 22-40.

  1. And it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake; and they launched forth.
  2. But as they sailed he fell asleep; and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
  3. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased, and there was a calm.
  4. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?
  5. And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee.
  6. And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had devils; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs.
  7. And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.
  8. For he commanded the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him; and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the devil into the deserts.
  9. And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many devils were entered into him.
  10. And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
  11. Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain; and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.
  12. And the devils came out from the man, and entered into the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were choked.
  13. And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.
  14. And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the devils were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus; and they were afraid.
  15. And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with devils was made whole.
  16. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear; and he entered into a boat, and returned.
  17. But the man from whom the devils were gone out prayed him that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying,
  18. Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.
  19. And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him.
VERSES 22-25 give the account of the stilling of the tempest. The remainder of the lesson (verses 26-40) tells about the expulsion of the legion of devils from the Gadarene, the destruction of the swine into which the demons entered, and the effect which the whole affair had on the people. The entire lesson may be summarized thus: Stilling the tempest; freeing the demonic. Connecting the preceding lesson with this one, we may have a mental picture of the first forty verses of this chapter, under these heads: Parable of the Sower; Stilling the Tempest; Healing the Demonic. Be sure, however, that you do not get this outline by simply memorizing the synopsis here given. Get it direct from the Bible, by reading the verses so carefully and so often that the subjects stand out in bold relief.
  1. What came to pass on a certain day?
  2. Where did Jesus propose that they should go?
  3. What did Jesus do as they sailed?
  4. While he slept, what took place?
  5. What was their condition? Compare Matt. 8: 25; Mark 4: 37.
  6. What did the disciples do and say?
  7. What did Jesus immediately do?
  8. What was the result?
  9. Having stilled the sea, what did Jesus say to the disciples?
  10. How did this miracle affect them?
  11. In what country did they land?
  12. Who met them as they landed?
  13. What did the demonic say to Jesus?
  14. What had Jesus said to the unclean spirit?
  15. How had the devils treated the man?
  16. How many of them had possession of him?
  17. What request did they make to Jesus?
  18. Into what did Jesus suffer them to enter?
  19. What then happened to the swine?
  20. What effect did this have on the keepers and on the people of that country?
  21. When the people saw the man who had been possessed of devils, clothed and in his right mind, what did they request Jesus to do?
  22. Did Jesus comply with their request?
  23. What did the man who had been healed desire of Jesus?
  24. What did Jesus tell him to do instead?
  25. How faithfully did he fulfill this commission?
  26. How was Jesus received on his return?

NOTES.

1. MARK gives us the words that Jesus used in stilling the tempest: 'And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.' Mark 3: 9. This is one of the miracles that is recorded that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we might have life through his name. John 20: 31. A few texts will indicate the lesson that we may learn from it: 'The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' Isa. 57: 20. 'I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.' Ps. 85: 8. 'For he is our peace,' and he came preaching peace. Eph. 2: 14, 17. 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Rom. 5: 1. Just as the word of Christ quieted the sea, so his word to us, if we receive it as his word, will give peace to the soul. 'Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them,' or cause them to stumble. Ps. 119: 165. 'O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.' Isa. 48: 18. So when God speaks peace to us, it is by speaking righteousness; and we have that righteousness if we hear his word with meekness. 'Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live.' Isa. 55: 3.
2. THE account in Mark, like the one in Luke, mentions only one man possessed with devils; but in Matthew it is stated that there were two men. All that it is necessary to bear in mind in order to see that there is no contradiction, is that neither Mark nor Luke says that there was only one man. One of them was doubtless more prominent than the other, and special attention is directed to him by Mark and Luke, who give more of the details than Matthew does.
3. IN this lesson we have an example of Christ's triumph over a legion of devils. Satan, the chief of the devils, is Apollyon, the destroyer. Rev. 9: 11. Christ is 'the Prince of peace.' Isa. 9: 6. The devils, true to their nature, were tormenting the poor man,—driving him to and fro like the waves of the sea by the winds. Christ, true to his nature, spoke peace, and the troubled soul had rest. What a perfect parallel this miracle was to that which preceded it! Let this word ever be the joy of the tempted one, 'Christ is more powerful than Satan; he has spoiled principalities and powers.' 'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' John 16: 33.
4. ALL the blessings that Christ had come to bestow upon the Gadarenes, and of which they had such ample and striking evidence, were nothing to them compared with the loss of their swine. Of course their trouble was on account of the loss of the money value of the hogs, so that their case is precisely that of thousands who choose this present world instead of Christ. Bunyan has aptly illustrated this by the man intent on selecting from the garbage with a muck rake, and oblivious of the crown of glory above his head. We may well pray, 'Deliver us from the muck rake.'
5. THE man out of whom the devils were cast wanted to be with Jesus. That was a most natural desire; but Jesus said to him, 'Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee.' God saves men for service. 'Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.' 1 Peter 2: 9, Revised Version. But, although the Lord sends us out to service, instead of allowing us now to dwell in his personal presence, beholding his face, he does not leave us alone, for he says, 'Lo, I am with you alway.' Matt. 28: 20.
6. NOTE also that, although the people refused to have Jesus with them, he did not utterly forsake them. They would not have him among them, so he left a representative. 'Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.' Isa. 43: 10. 'And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world.' 'And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.' John 17: 11, 22, 23.