Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/126

Rh relates also to those who strive to live as He lived, that they may share the blessing with which He is crowned, it may be more useful to look at it in this practical way.

"Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well." In the Gospel (John xv.) Jesus says to His disciples, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." We are fruitful boughs when we love and live in Jesus. Our Lord said further, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples." Bearing fruit, which is leading a good life, is the work and the mark of a child of God. But Joseph is called a fruitful bough by a well. This well is the Word of God, whose truths are the living waters that cause us to flourish and bear fruit. For although the Lord is our life, He nourishes us through His Holy Word. We must draw water from this well of salvation, by learning its lessons of wisdom, and doing what they teach us to do, or we can never become fruitful boughs. We must not however expect that this duty will be always easy. When the