WE have received some very good papers replying to our questions of May on the Shepherd. The names of those who have gained the prizes will be found as usual on page three of the cover of the magazine.
We now ask our young friends to look into the story of Joseph; let the Bible be its own interpreter, and tell us what you can of (1) the history, (2) the moral beauties, and (3) the typical character of Joseph.
The history must be given briefly, and in your own words: that is, you will write as much as you can of the Bible story of Joseph, but in language strictly your own.
The moral beauties of Joseph’s character will afford you more scope for thought and search. You will seek to discover in the story of his life, the noble and the lovely things which God has by His Holy Spirit written for our instruction and example. And in doing this you will derive real profit for yourselves, for Joseph’s character shines among the records of God’s people as a jewel of the rarest value.
The typical nature of Joseph’s history will lead you into many happy considerations of the sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the glories which follow them. In order to give you a leading thought on this part of the subject, we will say that the book of the Bible in which Joseph’s history is written, contains great and far-reaching types, the fulfillment of which is not in all cases yet realized. It has been the way of God to give us in the book of Genesis; shadows of things which will happen amongst the last great transactions which will take place upon this earth. If you open the earliest chapter of this book, you will see that thoughts are there given and facts described, which are taken up again in the last book of the Bible, and which thoughts and facts lead us along the stream of time, from its earliest ripplings, even into eternity itself.
May you all learn much from this story, which is one of the very sweetest of the whole Bible, and may you be followers of Joseph in his ways and words of goodness; and, above all, may the consideration of his lovely character lead you to greater and more reverential joy in your thoughts of Jesus, the Son of God, whom Joseph typifies.