Psalm 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. I. GOD'S INSTRUCTION OF SENATORS. God's education of Joseph became the Divine education of the senators of Pharaoh; so we learn how statesmen are taught by God in all ages. 1. By the life-work of the great and good. The knowledge of Joseph's biography would spread from the throne to the humblest tent in the land. An apprenticeship is needed for every great teacher and ruler of men. 2. By the events in a nation's history. The Hebrews were now an incipient nation, of which Joseph was a member. Israel shall teach Egypt, and Egypt Israel. Whilst the Bible is the statesman's great manual, the facts of all history, rightly interpreted, are a high education in anticipative experience, and in the philosophy of life. The barbaric, feudal, and constitutional periods through which all nations pass, are intended by God to educate the statesman. 3. By insight into a nation's needs. Joseph saw and taught what was coming upon Egypt, therefore he economized its resources. Valuable is vision and revelation! England needs men like Joseph, and those who learnt of him, in her senate-house; then should we obtain needful education, emigration, economy, and national unity. II. GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE INSTRUCTION OF SENATORS. Every highly-gifted man is the bestowment of God upon the age in which he lives, and upon all subsequent ages. Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, in Judaea; Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, in Greece; Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Boethius, in Rome; Goethe, Schlegel, Fichte, in Germany; Burke, Pitt, Peel, in England. God's purpose in giving such men to a nation is — 1. The entire well-being of a country. Physical, mental, spiritual, domestic, social. 2. Advancement in scientific achievement. Egypt was scientific. The physical and spiritual resources of the universe are the gift of God for our development. God intended us to possess railways, telegraphs, machinery, and all other appliances of human progress. 3. Perfection of His creation. Perfect righteousness is the result of His will, and of all He has willed to create; therefore shall all things be gathered together in Christ. Inquire — (1) How far have we wisdom-taught statesmen? (2) How far is our nation a wise and understanding people? (W. N. Percival.) Parallel Verses KJV: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.WEB: to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom. |
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