The Land of Sojourn; Or, Sketches of Patriarchal Life and Times

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVII. AN OPPRESSED PEOPLE. Men Short-Sighted--Know But Little--God Infinitely Wise--These Truths Illustrated--Design of God in Calling Abraham--His Sojourn in Canaan--Condition--Evil Tendencies--Removal to Egypt--New Class of Circumstances--Joseph's Marriage an Exception--Why Permitted--Age of Joseph When Sold. Into Egypt--Other Dates--Great Increase--Duration of Sojourn Various Opinions--Objections Considered--No Real Difficulty A New King--Knows Not Joseph--A New Dynasty--A New Policy--Opposition--Specimen of Statesmanship--Still Greater Oppression--Agriculture--Making Bricks--Building Cities--Pithom and Rameses--Egyptian Bricks--Painting in Egyptian Temple--Government Monopoly--Sordid Motives--God's Purpose--His Promise--Conclusion. IV TEN are short-sighted. They know a little of----many things, but they know nothing perfectly. In proposing to themselves ends of action, they often err. When they select proper ends, they often fail in choosing suitable means for their promotion. But God is infinitely wise. He sees the end from the beginning. He always proposes to Himself that which is right, and always employs the best means for the aecomplishtnent of His divine purposes. These truths are clearly illustrated in His 3- 361 dealings with His ancient people Israel. The whole history of that people develops a series of facts the most wonderful in their, character, conducting to results the most glorious, and in a way that human wisdom never could have devised, but which, when the divine purpose has been fully revealed, commends it to our highest approval. The design of God in calling Abraham was to separate from the nations a people for Himself, to whom He should especially make Himself known, and through whom He should perpetuate a knowledge...