Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

money."Egypt- Jacob did not let Benjamin gofor fear some accident would come uponhim.In Egypt the brothers meet the governor, Joseph. Joseph recognized them instantly.Why didn't the brothers recognize Joseph? Joseph did not want to reveal himself, because he wanted to see ifhis brothers had had a change of heart.Joseph accused them of being spies. Theyanswered,"No."They told him of theirfamily. Joseph demanded that they bringtheir younger brother to him to provethat they were speaking the truth.Joseph put all his brothers in prisonfor three days. When Joseph let themout he demanded that one remain for ahostage. Immediately their consciencespoke to them and reminded them oftheir unconfessedand unforgotten sinconcerning Joseph (Gen. 42:21-24).Joseph filled their sacks with corn putting each man's money in the top of hissack and gave them food for their journey and sent them back to the land ofCanaan. Here we see the evidence ofGod's love in Joseph. He forgave hisbrethren, returning good for evil.When Joseph's brothers returned home,they told Jacob their father all that hadhappened. Jacob was heartbroken forJoseph was gone, Simeon was in prisonand now theywanted to take Benjaminaway. He did not want them to go backto Egypt.However, when they had eaten up thecorn and the famine was still in the land,Jacob commanded his sons to return toEgypt. How sad Jacob must have been tohave to send Benjamin with them! Theytook gifts for the governor and doublemoney to pay for both the previous andpresent sacks of corn.When Joseph saw his brothers coming,he told his servant to prepare a feast forthem, for they were to have dinner withhim that day.Joseph's brothers were very muchafraid when the steward took them tothe governor's home. They thought theywere to be punished for the money foundin their sacks. But the steward said,"Peace be to you, fear not: your God,and the God of your father, hath givenyou treasure in your sacks. I had yourbetter.Simeon was freed. They feltAs soon as Joseph came home, theygave their presents to him and bowedlow. When Joseph saw Benjamin, hewas so overjoyed that he had to leave,for he wept for joy. When he had gainedcontrol of his emotions theywere servedtheir meal, and Benjamin was servedfive times as much as the others. Theyall ate and were very happy. Joseph wasespecially pleased to discover that hisbrothers no longer had jealously in theirhearts.November 10, 1954Again Joseph sent his brothers homewith their sacks filled with grain. Againhe put their money in the top of eachsack. He also had the steward put hissilver cupsack. Before theyin the mouth of Benjamin'shad gone far Josephsent his steward out to overtake them.The steward accused them of taking thesilver cup. The brothers denied it andsaid, '/With whomsoever of thy servantsit be found, both let him die, and wealso will be my lord's bondmen." Thecupwas found in Benjamin's sack. Thebrothers were so distressed that they toretheir clothes. They all returned to Joseph's home and fell down on the groundbefore him seeking forgiveness.Of course, Joseph knows all and askswhy they have done such a thing afterhe has treated them so kindly. Finally,Judah offers himself to be a slave to Joseph in order that Benjamin might return to his father. Judah had guaranteedhis father that Benjamin would return.Judah's plea is so earnest and sincere thatJoseph can stand it no longer. He sendsthe Egyptians away. Then he tells hisbrothers who he is and weeps for joy.Next week you will study how Josephcompletely forgives his brethren and thejoy of a family reunion.Topics for you to discuss:1. Why did God send Joseph to Egypt?2.What gifts did Jacob's sons take toJoseph, the governor?3. Why were not Jacob'ssons* allowedto eat at the same table with Joseph?Did the brothers wonder at the seatingarrangement?4. For what purpose did Joseph testhis brethren?5. Name the brother whom you thinkhad the kindest heart. Why?6. Why do you think Jacob refused tolet Benjamin go with Reuben but allowedJudah to take him?For your notebookOn the top half of the page draw a fewcircles to represent money. Beside themcopy Gen. 42 :35a. On the bottom half ofthe page, draw or paste a picture of acup. Beside it copy Gen. 44:12b. At thebottom of the page print your memoryverse.SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONNovember 28, 1954by Rev. Joseph A. Hill(Lessons based on International Sunday SchooiLessons ; the International Bible Lessons forChristian Teaching, copyrighted by InternationalCouncil of Religious Education.)OUR EVER-PRESENT HELPLesson Material: Psalms 142 and 46Printed Text: Psalm 142; 46:1-3, 10-11.Memory Verse: Psalm 46:1"God is ourrefuge and strength, a very present helpin trouble."Refuges formed an important part oflife in ancient times. There were twokinds of refuge, natural and man-made.Travelers often found shelter in thenatural refuge of mountain caves, orif they were in the desert they sometimes hid from the storms behind alarge rock. Refuges were commonlybuilt for defense of cities or of an army,for example, a fort or garrison, whichserved as a stronghold against enemies.The modern counterpart of the OldTestament refuge is the air raid shelter.In America, none of the hundreds of airraid shelters have been used as a refuge,but we have built them, just in case ofa calamity.When there is no immanent danger orprobability that we will have to use ourrefuges, we tend to take our securityfor granted. This is true of both individuals and nations. We do not seek ahiding place until we are pursued, ora shelter until the storm strikes. Welearned our lesson in 1941 at Pearl Harbor when we had no refuges. Since thenwe have built our shelters, but can wesay, "God is our refuge and strength"?There are times in every person's lifewhen he needs a safe hiding place fromthe storms of life, and from foes. Thereare distressing and disturbing elementsin every person's life, but God's Wordassures us that we may find peace ofheart and joy in Him who is our everpresenthelp.These two Psalms, the 142nd and 46th,picture God as our refuge on high. OnePsalm is personal, the other nationalin its outlook.I. The Imprisoned Soul Finds Its Refugein God (Psalm 142).The title or superscription (in fineprint at the beginning) gives the settingof the Psalm: "A meditation of David,when he was in the cave, a Prayer."This indicates the historical backgroundof the Psalmist's experience, namely, hisfleeing into a cave, either at Adullam(I Samuel 22) or at Engedi (I Samuel24). Over a long period of time, Davidwas constantly being pursued and soughtby King Saul who was determined toput David to death.Notice that although David is in solitude in a cave, he prays aloud to God.This is because David is in dead earnest,and he is intent upon being heard. Godcan hear and answer an unspokenprayer, since He knows our verythoughts; but praying aloud has a goodeffect on the one praying. It helps todefine our thoughts, and put our feelings into words. So often, when we praysilently, we tend to let our feelingsdominate our prayers, and to let ourthoughts drift off into empty feeling.Praying aloud, even when we are alone,is the best remedy for wandering299