Lesson 11 · December 10, 1898

Joseph Makes Himself Known to His Brethren

( and 45.)

1.What instruction did Joseph now give to his steward? .
2.After his brethren were sent away, what accusing message was sent to them? .
3.How did they endeavor to show that they were true and honest men? .
4.In how far did the steward accept their final proposition? .
5.What did they immediately do? What were the results? .
6.In harmony with what has gone before, what did Joseph feign to know, and how? . Note 1.
7.What did Judah say? and what was Joseph's reply? .
8.What eloquently touching speech did Judah now make? .
9.What effect did it have upon Joseph? .
10.What did he first say to them? How did they feel about it? What request did he make? .
11.By what remarkable statement did he now reveal his unbounded faith in the God of Jacob? . Note 2.
12.What glorious message did he send to his father? .
13.How did he further show his love for his brethren? .
14.What effect did this news concerning Joseph's brethren have upon Pharaoh and his house? . See also .
15.What message did Pharaoh send through Joseph to his brethren? .
16.What did Joseph now do for them all? For the ten? For Benjamin? For Israel? With what final injunction did he send them away? .
17.When they came home and told Jacob this wonderful story, what effect did it have upon him? .
18.What became of his unbelief and low spirits? When he saw the wagons what did he say? .
19.What humiliating confession now became necessary on the part of Joseph's ten brethren? Note 3.

Readings

Notes

1. "This cup was supposed to possess power of detecting any poisonous substances placed therein. At that day cups of this kind were highly valued as a safeguard against murder by poisoning. . . . 'What deed is this that ye have done?' he said; 'wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?' Joseph designed to draw from them acknowledgment of their sin. He had never claimed the power of divination, but was willing to have them believe that he could read the secrets of their lives."

2. It is probable that the fame of Joseph had gone out all over the world as an interpreter of dreams, and a preserver of life, on account of his connection with the true and living God. Note the impression which comes into the soul when one recognizes that his life is in accordance with the divine plan. The revelation of God to Joseph in those two dreams of his boyhood, seems to have given direction to his entire inner and outer life. In these verses we see the large-hearted sympathy of Joseph standing out in vivid contrast to the cold-blooded envy which once found lodgment in the hearts of his brethren. His was a high ideal of the Christian life; and his high mission was recognized, not only by himself, but by Pharaoh and his subjects, as well as by Israel and his sons. See .

3. "Another act of humiliation remained for the ten brothers. They now confessed to their father the deceit and cruelty that for so many years had embittered his life and theirs. Jacob had not suspected them of so base a sin; but he saw that all had been overruled for good, and he forgave and blessed his erring children." He no doubt remembered his own course of life which had resulted in so much sorrow and trouble to himself and his loved ones. "Jacob had sinned, and had deeply suffered. . . . Over and over he saw repeated among his sons the sins of which he himself had been guilty. But, bitter as had been the discipline, it had accomplished its work. The chastening, though grievous, had yielded the peaceable fruits of righteousness."—.

Additional Study

1.Make an outline of your own and recite this lesson from it.
2.Note the care with which Joseph's steward obeyed his instructions.
3.Show from this and preceding chapters that God was held in high reverence with both Joseph and his brethren.
4.What do you learn in this lesson of Joseph's influence? (a) Among his brethren? (b) Among the people of Egypt? (c) Among the nations of the world?
5.At what place did Jacob and his family live during the first two years of this universal famine?
6.Life consists, as with Jacob and his children, of a series of surprises, apparently good or ill.
7.What traits of character in Judah are revealed in this lesson?
8.Make a list of the points in which Joseph's life represents that of Christ.
9.Joseph's life is an illustration of the sublime and glorious truth that when Satan seems most successfully to have hidden the light that is burning in the soul loyal to its God, then the flame bursts forth, and the light is lifted up, to be seen both near and afar off, even if it becomes necessary for every nation of the earth to be stricken with famine.

Bible texts in this lesson

Genesis 44 · Genesis 44:1 · Genesis 44:2 · Genesis 44:3-6 · Genesis 44:7-9 · Genesis 44:10 · Genesis 44:11-13 · Genesis 44:14 · Genesis 44:15 · Genesis 44:16 · Genesis 44:17 · Genesis 44:18-34 · Genesis 45:1 · Genesis 45:2 · Genesis 45:3 · Genesis 45:4 · Genesis 45:5-8 · Genesis 45:9-13 · Genesis 45:14 · Genesis 45:15 · Genesis 45:16 · Genesis 45:17-20 · Genesis 45:21-24 · Genesis 45:25 · Genesis 45:26 · Genesis 45:27 · Genesis 45:28 · Genesis 45:7 · Genesis 41:45 · Genesis 47:25 · Genesis 50:18-20

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