Questions for the different elementary books used in the National schools

Front matter

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Part I

Now Jacob loved Joseph more than all his children^ because he Was the son of his old age ; and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak in peace to him. And Joseph dreamed a dream ; and he told it to his brethren and said, behold, we were bmding sheaves in the field, and lo ! my sheaf arose, and aiso stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round aboiit» and bowed to ay«hei£ i^LadhMkVBLcs&BK^

What was meant by the dream ?

A. That Joseph's brethren should bow down before him.

What did Joseph's brethren say to him, so as to make it appear that they understood the dream ?

What was Joseph's second dream ?

Who were meant by the sun, moon, and stars ?

A, Joseph's father, mother, and brethren.

What did his father do and say to him ?

Did his brethren envy him?

Why?

A, Because they thereby thought he would become greater than themselves.

But what did his father do?

Why did he do so ?

A* Because he thought there was something remarkable in it.

After this where did Joseph's brethren go ?

What did their father say to Joseph ?

Out of what place did he send him?

Whither did he come ?

Who found him walking in the fields ?

What did the man ask him?

What was his reply ?

What answer did the man wade?

deed reign over us ? or sbalt thou indeed have power over us ? and they hated him for his dreams and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, I have dreamed a dream more, and behold the sun and the moon and the stars bowed to me ; and he told it to his father, and to his brethren ; and his father chid him, and said, shall I and thy mother, and thy brethren, indeed come to bow down before thee to the earth ? and his brethren did envy him ; but his father kept his saying in his heart. And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. And his father said unto Joseph, " Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks, and bring me word again." So he sent him out of the Vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a certain man found hin» walking in the field : and the man asked him, saying, what seekest thou ? and he said, I seek my brethren : tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks? and the man said, they are gone hence, for I heard them say, ** let us go to Dothan. And Joseph vrenl aClec Yk\«>ote;\V\\«ci, and found tYietQmX^o^«ci%

History of Joseph and his Brethren. 17

What do you mean by " hence ?"

A. From this place.

Whither did Joseph then go?

Where did he find them ?

What did they do when they saw him afar off?

What do you mean by " conspiring ?"

A, Agreeing together for some bad purpose.

What do we see in Joseph's brethren thus agreeing together to slay him ?

A. The sad effects of anger and hatred.

To what did they lead in the present instance ?

A. They led Joseph's brethren to think even of murdering him.

What did Joseph's brethren say to each otlier ?

What did Reuben say ?

Why did he make this proposal ?

What did this conduct in Reuben show ?

A. That he had more brotherly regard for Joseph than the rest had.

What did they do in consequence oi this advice ?

Into what place did they cast him ?

In the mean time who came by ?

To what place were they going ?

WAat had they with him X

What did Judah then say to bis brethren ?

And when they saw him afar off, they did conspire against him, to slay him. And they said to each other, *' behold this dreamer cometh : come now therefore, and let U9 kill him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say some evil beast has killed him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams." And Reuben heard it, and said unto them, " shed no blood, but cast him into this pit, and lay no hand upon him," that he might rid him out of their hands, to restore him to his father again. And it came to pass when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript him of his coat of many colours that was on him ; and they took and cast hiia into a pit, and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And behold in the meantime, a number of merchants were going down into Egypt with their camels laden with spices. And Judah said unto his brethren, '' what profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood ? come, and let us sell him unto these men." And his brethren were content: and they drew up Jese^^K o\3X ^C l\\e ipv\.> wA ^^'^ Vvwv v^ '^'i^ mexcVvwiv% lot vr«>x^ ^>^^

QMeitiotufor the

How did they receive this proposal ?

What did they do with Joseph ?

To whom did they sell him?

For how much ?

Where did the merchants take him ?

What artful trick were they guilty of, to conceal what they had done from their father ?

What did they then do with the coat ?

And what did their father do?

What did he say ?

What do you think of this conduct of Joseph's brethren?

A. It was very wicked, and greatly increased their guilt.

Why?

A, Because it was adding one sin to another.

What do you mean by ** rending his clothes ?"

A, Tearing them. This was in old times a way used of showing great grief.

PART II. What happened to Joseph some time after his arrival in Egypt ?

Into what place was he castl By whom ? ^ho was Potipbar ? -But who waa with Joseph ?

brethren took his coat and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood. And they brought the coat to their father, and he knew it and said, ** It is my son*8 coat : an evil beast has slain him ; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces." And Jacob rent his clothes and mourned for his son many days.

PART II.

Some time after Joseph's arrival in Egypt, he was falsely accused and cast into prison by Potipbar, captain of Pharaoh's guard ; but the Lord was wiiVi Yi\m« KudVt came to pa»a at xii^ ^xA o^ two Ml ^eaxs,\)aat.'5^^^>a.

History of Joseph mnd Ais Brethren. 19

What happened at tlie end of two fail years ?

Who was Pharaoh ?

J. The king of Egypt.

Whom did Pharaoh call, in consequence of his dreams?

Could any one interpret them?

What do you mean by " interpret ?"

</^. Explain.

Why did he suppose that Joseph could interpret dreams ?

A, Because he bad interpreted the dreams of the chief butler, and chief baker.

Whom did Pharaoh then send for ?

What reason did he give why he sent for him in particular ?

What answer did Joseph make?

Did Joseph do right or wrong in thus giving God the glory ?

What did Joseph then proceed to do ?

What do you mean by " the dream is one ?"

A. Both dreams mean one and the same thing.

What was the explanation of it?

What reason did he give why the dream was repeated unto Pharaoh twice ?

What advice did Joseph then give Pharaoh ?

How was this advice received by Pharaoh ?

dreamed two dreams to the same effect : and he sent and called all the wise men of Egypt, and told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them. Pharaoh having heard of Joseph in prison sent and called him ; and said, I have heard say of thee, that thoa canst understand a dream, to interpret it. And Joseph answered, it is not in me, but God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh related imto Joseph hia dreams : and Joseph said, the dream is one : God hath shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Behold, there shall come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt ; and there shall arise after them seven years of famine ; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of the famine, for it shall be' very grievous. And for that the dream was repeated unto Pharaoh twice, it is because the thin^ is established by God: and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now, therefore, let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt, and let him appoint C3J@^^s«t%^ %»^ \iiiA up t\ie MOtv ^«x\. ^'^ofc^^ sa

What did he say uiito Joseph ?

What do you mean by « discreet V*

A. Prudent. . Why did Pharaoh appoint Joseph over his house ?

A* Because he found the Lord was with him.

> What did Pharaoh then do?

Why did Pharaoh put a ring on Joseph's hand ?

> y^. As a token or mark of the high rank to which he was raised.

Was there any other reason?

A. Yes : that he might seal letters in the king's laame.

How did Pharaoh array Joseph ?

What do you mean by " arrayed ?'*

A, Clothed.

What do you mean by ** vestures ?"

A. Garments.

What did he put about his neck ?

Why did he array him in this manner?

A. Because kings and great men only were thus arrayed.

In what did he make him to ride?

Over what place was he to be ruler ?

What may we iearn from fMa rising up of Joseph ? -^. That God watcheth pleased Pharaoh, and he said unto Joseph, forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art ; thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled ; only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it oa Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. He also made him to ride in the second chariot which he had, and to be ruler over all the land of Egypt.

History of Joseph and his Brethren. 21

with his providence over the affairs of men.

What part of Joseph's dream thus came to pass ?

A. He became greater than his brethren.

What was God pleased thereby to reward ?

A. His patience under suffering, his modesty, his great piety.

What does it also prove respecting the good ?

A. That they are under the care of God, though for a time they may seem to be deserted by him.

Joseph and his Brethren.

PART III. In the seven plenteous years how did the earth bring forth?

What did Joseph do ?

When the seven fruitful years had ended, what began?

Who had said that this would happen ?

What virtue did Joseph 4show in thus laying up before the famine came ?

A. Prudence.

What may we learn from this?

A. When we have plenty, not to waste it, but to lay up against the time of need.

What did Jacob do when he saw there was corn ia Egypt?

Whom would: not Jacob aend?

Joseph and his Brethren.

PART III.

In the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth abundantly ; and Joseph gathered up all the food which was in the land, and laid it up in the cities. And the seven fruitful years being ended, ^he seven years of famine began, according as Joseph had said. Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, he said unto his sons, why do yon look one upon another ? I have heard that there is corn in Egypt ; get you down thither, and buy for us, that we perish not. But Benjamin, Joseph'6 brother, Jacob aeut xnsesn.-.

QMestiotMtfor the

What was he afraid would befall him ?

What do you mean by " peradventure ?"

A. Perhaps, by chance.

Why was he so anxious about Benjamin ?

A. He was the only one that was full brother to Joseph; the others were by different mothers.

Whom did Joseph know ?

Whom did they know not?

What did he call them ?

What did he tell them they were come to see ?

Why did Joseph call them **3pies?"

A, By way of trial.

What did they say ?

Who was the youngest ?

A. Benjamin.

What do you mean by " one is not ?"

A, That he was dead.

Whom did they mean ?

jI. Joseph.

How happened that ?

A. They thought he had been dead, not having heard of him for twenty years.

How was Joseph deter- Vlined to prove them ?

Whom did Joseph say they should bring to him ?

What do you' mean by *« verified V

A. Proved to be true.

Whom did he bind before iAe/r eyes ? ^hut did they say one to him ; and he said unto tbem, ye are spiea: to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said, thj servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan ; and the youngest is this day with our fath^, and one is not. And Joseph said unto theni» hereby ye shall be proved ; if ye be true men, let one of you be bound : and the rest may carry com for the famine of your houses : biit bring your youngest brother unto me : so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And he took Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. And they said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear him; therefore is this distress come upon us. And they knew not that Joseph understood them, for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned himself from them and wept. And they returned into the land of Canaan, and told all that befel them. And Jacob their father said unto them, me have ye bereaved of my children : Joseph ■is not, and Simeon is not, and ye w\\\ take ^tv^^ox^ away a\ao : MV lYveie x\vvti^<& are against Tne% Nu^ ^

History of Joseph and his Brethren. 188

What do yoa mean by verily ?"

A. Indeed.

What was it that tormented them ?

ji. A guihy conscience*

Will any distance of time or place prevent the terrors of a guilty conscience?

What did they suppose firom that ?

How did he speak unto them?

What do you mean by an ** interpreter?"

A « One who explains what is said in an unknown language.

What did Joseph do when he heard of their distress?

What did he show by this?

A. That he still loved them.

Whither did Joseph's brethren return?

What did they tell ?

What did Jacob say unto them?

What do you mean by « bereaved V*

What did Jacob say respecting his son Benjamin ?

When the corn was consumed, what did Jacob desire his sons to do ?

What conditions did they wish to make?

What words of repTOof did Jacob use to them?

said, my son shall not go down with yon, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone ; if mischief befall hnn by the way in which ye go, then shall ye bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. When the com was consumed, Jacob their father said unto them, go again, buy us a little food. And they said, if thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food ; but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down : for the man said unto us, ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. And Jacob said,wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man that ye had yet another brother ? but, if it must be so, do this, take of the best fruits in the land, and carry down the man a present : take also your brother, and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And they arose, and went down into Egypt : and when Joseph came home they brought him the present which was in their hand^ «xA V^^^^

S4

Qftesiions for the

Notwithstanding this, to what did he at last consent ?

What did he advise his )«ons to do ?

What did he pray that God Almighty would do ?

What did Jacobs sons then do ?

What did they do when Joseph came home ?

What was hereby fuliiUed ?

We have now seen the fulfilment of both Joseph's and Pharaoh's dreams, tell me, therefore, whether we ought to place the same faith or belief in dreams now ?

A. No.

For what reason ?

A. God, in old times, was sometimes pleased to make known his will by dreams ; such dreams are no longer sent, since that will has been fully declared in the Gospel.

What questions did Joseph ask them ?

What did he prove by these questions ?

A. His duty and affection to his father.

What answer did Joseph's brethren make to him re« specting their father ?

What did his brethren then do ?

What do yoa mean by ** obeisance 2**

Aaid, is your father well ? the man of whom yoa spake? Is he yet alive ? And they answered ; Thy servant, our father, is ia good health, he is yet alive. A lid they bowed down their heads and made obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, and said, is this your younger brother, of whom ye spoke ? God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste, for his bowels did yearn upon his brother ; and he sought where to weep ; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

History of Joseph and his Brethren. 35

A. Bowing down reverently.

What did Joseph say, when be saw Benjamin ?

What feelings did Joseph show towards Benjamin ?

What do you mean by that expression ?

A, That he had a brotherly love and pity for him.

How far did the feelings of nature and affection overcome him ?

A. He entered into his chamber and wept there.

Joseph and his Brethren, .