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 V.—SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1894.
JOSEPH FORGIVING HIS BRETHREN.
[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 is the common version.] 1. THEN Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2. And he wept aloud; and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
3. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
4. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
5. And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life.
6. For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and there are yet five years, in the which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest.
7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.
8. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God; and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
9. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt; come down unto me, tarry not;
10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast; and there will I nourish thee;
11. For there are yet five years of famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast.
12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
13. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
14. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
15. And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them; and after that his brethren talked with him.
Golden Text: "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." Luke 17:3. - Give a brief account of the intervening history between this and our last lesson. Note 1.
- When Judah had made his plea, what followed? Verse 1.
- How many were present with Joseph and his brethren at this time?
- How was his emotion manifested? Verse 2.
- What did he say to his brothers? Verse 3.
- How did his brothers feel?
- How did Joseph comfort them in their fears? and what did he again say? Verses 4 and 5.
- Whose overruling hand did he say had been manifested in it all?
- What did he tell them in regard to the famine? Verse 6.
- What did he say that God sent him to Egypt for?
- How did he again manifest his faith in the Lord? Verse 8.
- What did he say the Lord had made him?
- With what message did he send them away? Verse 9.
- Where did he tell them that they would dwell? Verse 10.
- While they dwelt in Egypt, what did he promise? Verse 11.
- How did he appeal to them as witnesses? Verse 12.
- What did he say they should tell their father? Verse 13.
- What manifestation of tender affection followed? Verses 14 and 15.
- In all his wrongs and sufferings, what spirit did Joseph cherish? Golden text. Note 2.
- What blessing and prosperity followed this meeting? Note 3.
1. OUR last lesson closed with Joseph on the throne of Egypt during the seven plenteous years382recorded in Gen. 41:1-48. The remainder of that chapter tells us how he stored great quantities of grain; of the seven years of dearth over all the earth; how other countries came into Egypt to buy corn, and of the birth of Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Chapter 42 gives an account of how Jacob sent his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt; how they were imprisoned by Joseph as spies, and were set at liberty on condition of sending Benjamin back; how they bowed down to Joseph in fulfillment of his dream, unconsciously to themselves; how they spoke of their remorse for their treatment of Joseph, thinking that Joseph did not understand them; how Simeon was kept as a pledge for the bringing of Benjamin; how Joseph sent them with their sacks filled with grain, and their money still in their sacks; their story on their return to their father, and Jacob's refusal to send Benjamin. Chapter 43 tells how, as the famine pressed sore, Jacob was persuaded by his sons to send Benjamin; how kindly Joseph received them and entertained them; how they offered him not only the money which he sent back with them, but also other money for their grain; how Joseph told them that it was the God of their fathers that gave them their money; how glad Joseph was when he saw Benjamin, and of the way and manner in which their food was set before them, showing that he knew their ages. Chapter 44 relates Joseph's policy to hold his brethren by hiding a silver cup in the sack of Benjamin, and in this way trying them, to see what they would do in regard to Benjamin; how the brothers were so confident in the integrity of each one that they said he who had the cup should be Joseph's servant forever; how the cup was found in Benjamin's sack, and how the brethren returned, and Judah made his plea and offering in Benjamin's behalf. The plea of Judah is one of the most eloquent addresses in the language. The events of our lesson to-day, according to "Usher's Chronology," occurred in 1707 B.C., about eight years after our last lesson.
2. THE spirit of forgiveness is not that disposition which will lead us to say we will forgive you if you repent; neither does the golden text imply that. We are to forgive anyway. Jesus says, "When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any, that your heavenly Father may also forgive you." During all those years of separation Joseph's heart was yearning for his loved ones in the land of Canaan, and when his brothers were before him he could scarcely restrain himself from yielding to his feelings of love and emotion; but he wished to know whether they held the same feelings of envy and jealousy toward Benjamin that they did him. But the afflictions of years had evidently softened their hearts, and they were hard indeed if Joseph's own mercy did not lead them to greater humility and love for each other, as it evidently did. The whole lesson is a wonderful setting forth of God's overruling providence in the seeming ills of life, and the sweet spirit of love and forgiveness which may be cherished even against those who do us the greatest injury.
3. FOLLOWING our lesson scripture we are told in this chapter that Pharaoh heard that Joseph's brethren had come, and it so pleased him that he told Joseph to send for his father and brethren, and give them of the best of the land of Egypt; to take wagons out of the land of Egypt for their little ones and their wives, and to bring their father and come, and to pay no attention to their household goods, for the good of all the land of Egypt was theirs; and how the house of Israel did this. We are told how the brothers were sent away by Joseph, who told them not to fall out or quarrel by the way; how they came to their father and told him that Joseph was yet alive; how Jacob's heart fainted for the joy of the good news; but when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, his spirit revived, and he said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive; I will go and see him before I die." LESSON XVII.—SABBATH, APRIL 28, 1894.
1. AND it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God,
2. And with him the twelve, and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven devils had gone out,
3. And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto them of their substance.
4. And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable:
5. The sower went forth to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden underfoot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.
6. And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7. And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
8. And others fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundred-fold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
9. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.
10. And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12. And those by the wayside are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
13. And those on the rock are they which, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14. And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
15. And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
16. And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
17. For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light.
18. Take heed therefore how ye hear; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.
19. And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd.
20. And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21. But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it.
THE principal feature of this lesson is the parable of the sower, and its interpretation. Following it we have an impressive lesson as to how we should use the light which God gives us; and then in the three verses that close the lesson we are told who are the real brethren of the Lord. After a careful study of the verses indicated, the words "Parable of the Sower" will suffice to bring all the details of this portion of the chapter vividly before our minds.
1. What did Jesus do as he went through all the cities and villages?
2. Who accompanied him?
3. How did Jesus instruct the people who flocked to him out of every city?
4. What was the subject of the parable given in this lesson?
5. What became of the seed sown by the wayside?
6. On what kind of ground did some of the seed fall? Compare verse 6 and Matt. 13:5.
7. What became of that seed?
8. Among what did other seed fall?
9. What was the result?
10. What resulted from the seed that fell on good ground?
11. What was the reason that Jesus spoke in parables? Compare verses 9, 10 with Matt. 13:10-17.
12. In explaining the parable, what did Jesus call the seed?
13. What did he say of that which fell by the wayside?
14. Who are represented by the seed that fell on stony ground?
15. What is indicated by the seed falling among thorns?
16. What is said of the seed on the good ground?
17. What do men do with a candle when they light it?
18. What is the object of lighting a candle?
19. What will be done with all hidden things?
20. What exhortation did the Saviour give in regard to hearing?
21. What will be done with the one who uses what is given him?
22. What to him who does not use the light from heaven?
23. Who came to Jesus while he was teaching?
24. What hindered their approach?
25. When told his mother and brethren desired to see him, what did Jesus say?
26. Relate in their order the details of the parable given in this lesson. 1. "THE seed is the word of God." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:25. The word of God not only has life, but it is life. John 6:63. It is "the word of life." Phil. 2:13. When the apostles had been put into prison, the angel of the Lord set them at liberty, and said, "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of life." Acts 5:20. Not only is it life, but its life is indestructible and incorruptible; the words of the Lord are "the words of eternal life." John 6:68. So when it germinates in the heart, it brings forth fruit unto eternal life, and makes the man like itself.
2. A GOOD example of wayside hearers is given in Eze. 33:30-32: "And as for thee, son of man, the children of thy people talk of thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, everyone to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not." Revised Version.
3. "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned." Heb. 6:7, 8. Hard, stony ground does not drink in the rain, and so does not bring forth fruit. The rain which God sends is his righteousness. See Isa. 45:9; Hosea 10:12. The growth of plants is many times taken as a likeness of the growth of Christians. "For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." Isa. 61:11. God is light (1 John 1:5); he is a sun (Ps. 84:11); he is the dew (Hosea 14:5). He supplies all the conditions of the growth of his people, who are "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isa. 61:3. If, like the good soil, they drink in the heavenly light and moisture, they will bring forth much fruit.
4. "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." Is God, then, a respecter of persons? Does he give favors to some that he withholds from others?—Not by any means. "For there is no respect of persons with God." Rom. 2:11. "The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works." Ps. 145:9. Since with him there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17), it follows that he is equally good to all. How is it, then, that to some is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, and not to others? The Bible answers this question. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Ps. 25:14. "Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way." Ps. 25:8, 9. That is, all who are willing to understand may understand. The truths of God are hidden only from those who are too proud or self-conceited to learn. At another time Jesus said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Luke 10:21. But a thing that is easy enough to be understood by babes is surely within the grasp of those of mature age. It is hidden simply because the righteousness of God is revealed to faith, and not to acuteness of intellect. Whoso receiveth the kingdom of heaven, must receive it as a little child.
5. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." This shows that all may hear and understand if they will. But with this exhortation must be coupled the warning, "Take heed therefore how ye hear; for whosoever hath, to him shall be given;383and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." The marginal rendering and the Revised Version have it "that which he thinketh that he hath." "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth [buildeth up]. And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." 1 Cor. 8:1, 2. He who hears in faith and love, with an open heart, will increase in knowledge, and will ever go on increasing in wisdom. But he who is puffed up with the idea that he knows at least some things perfectly, will learn nothing, and eventually even that which he thinks he has will be taken from him, and he will stand before the world with all his emptiness revealed. No matter how much a man knows, if he thinks that he knows anything perfectly,—if he thinks, for instance, that on certain texts of Scripture there is no more to be learned,—the result will be that erelong he will lose even the little understanding of them that he already has.