1930 Young Mens Corner - page 194

192

THE BIRTHRIGHT AND THE BLESSING.

connexion with Judas (Acts 1. 25). He went to his own place, only a place without the fellowship of people ; this was not simply outside the apostolic circle ; we fear it was worse than this by far.--J .M.

QUESTIONS FROM WEST RIDING.--(1) Why did Jacob and Joseph particularly desire to be buried in Canaan?  Could it be any advantage to them in the light of Matthew 8. 11, and Hebrews 11.

13-16?

ANSWER.--The burial of Jacob and Joseph in Canaan according to their definite instructions showed their faith in the promise of God to Abraham and his seed.  If they had lived for years outside the land for purposes connected with the will of God, they believed that that was their true centre and place, and though Joseph had known wonderful glory in Egypt, yet the promise of God and the land of Canaan eclipsed it all, and when he lay a-dying he thought of the land far away which he could never reach, but by divine power--" God shall visit you "

he said.  It is not that soil or distance made any difference to these men as to the resurrection ; it was the promise of God connected with Canaan that they were true to even in death.--J.M.

(2) Do we gather from Genesis 50. 4, that Joseph was no longer ruler, and if so, did his term of office expire at the end of the seven years of famine ?

ANSWER.--It is clear that his term of office did not end with the seven years of famine.  Jacob dwelt in Egypt for seventeen years.

He died twelve years after the end of the famine and Joseph was yet in authority, as chapter 50. proves.  He was at the time of his father’s death 56 years of age, and he lived 54 years afterwards, but how long he remained in power we cannot say.--J.M.

QUESTION FROM TORONTO.--Does the fact that Joseph is not holding his brethren blameworthy practically justify them in selling him into Egypt, and does it not mirror the great truth of justification by faith, as in the Roman epistle ?

ANSWER.--Joseph never suggests that his brethren were not blameworthy. Note what he says in Genesis 50. 20, " Ye meant evil against me ; but God meant it for good."  Again and again God has brought good out of human wrong-doing.  No greater evidence of this can be seen than in the Crucifixion of the Lord.  Wrong-doing is always wrong-doing though God in His sovereignty may turn the wrath of man to praise Him, and where men do wrong they are culpable.

It is a very great subject, but we can neither see that Joseph’s brethren were justified in their wrong-doing, nor do we see any figure of justi-fication by faith therein.--J.M.

NOTICE.

We have now reached the end of our studies, for another year, and we trust that all our friends have been greatly profited.  Owing to the exigencies of space, we have had to abridge all contributions.--(Editors).

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