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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XLV].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
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</HEAD>
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC01044.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC01046.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<A NAME="Page243"> </A>
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>G E N E S I S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XLV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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It is a pity that this chapter and the foregoing should be parted,
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and read asunder. There we had Judah's intercession for Benjamin,
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with which, we may suppose, the rest of his brethren
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signified their concurrence; Joseph let him go on without interruption,
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heard all he had to say, and then answered it all in one word,
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"I am Joseph." Now he found his brethren humbled for
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their sins, mindful of himself (for Judah had mentioned him
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twice in his speech), respectful to their father, and very tender
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of their brother Benjamin; now they were ripe for the comfort
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he designed them, by making himself known to them, the story
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of which we have in this chapter. It was to Joseph's brethren
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as clear shining after rain, nay, it was to them as life from the
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dead. Here is,
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I. Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren,
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and his discourse with them upon that occasion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:1-15">ver. 1-15</A>.
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II. The orders Pharaoh, hereupon, gave to fetch Jacob and his
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family down to Egypt, and Joseph's despatch of his brethren,
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accordingly, back to his father with those orders,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:16-24">ver. 16-24</A>.
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III. The joyful tidings of this brought to Jacob,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:25-28">ver. 25</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ge45_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge45_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge45_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge45_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Joseph Discovers Himself to His Brethren.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1707.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Then Joseph could not refrain
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himself before all them that stood
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by him; and he cried, Cause every
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man to go out from me. And there
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stood no man with him, while Joseph
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made himself known unto his brethren.
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2 And he wept aloud: and the
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Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh
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heard.
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3 And Joseph said unto his
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brethren, I <I>am</I> Joseph; doth my father
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yet live? And his brethren could
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not answer him; for they were troubled
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at his presence.
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4 And Joseph said
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unto his brethren, Come near to me,
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I pray you. And they came near.
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And he said, I <I>am</I> Joseph your brother,
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whom ye sold into Egypt.
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5 Now
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therefore be not grieved, nor angry
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with yourselves, that ye sold me
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hither: for God did send me before
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you to preserve life.
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6 For these two
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years <I>hath</I> the famine <I>been</I> in the land:
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and yet <I>there are</I> five years, in the
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which <I>there shall</I> neither <I>be</I> earing nor
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harvest.
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7 And God sent me before you
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to preserve you a posterity in the earth,
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and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
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8 So now <I>it was</I> not you <I>that</I>
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sent me hither, but God: and he hath
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made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord
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of all his house, and a ruler throughout
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all the land of Egypt.
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9 Haste
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ye, and go up to my father, and say
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unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph,
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God hath made me lord of all Egypt:
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come down unto me, tarry not:
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10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen,
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and thou shalt be near unto me,
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thou, and thy children, and thy children's
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children, and thy flocks, and thy
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herds, and all that thou hast:
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11 And
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there will I nourish thee; for yet <I>there
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are</I> five years of famine; lest thou,
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and thy household, and all that thou
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hast, come to poverty.
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12 And, behold,
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your eyes see, and the eyes of
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my brother Benjamin, that <I>it is</I> my
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mouth that speaketh unto you.
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13 And ye shall tell my father of all my
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glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have
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seen; and ye shall haste and bring
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<A NAME="Page244"> </A>
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down my father hither.
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14 And he
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fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck,
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and wept; and Benjamin wept upon
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his neck.
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15 Moreover he kissed all
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his brethren, and wept upon them: and
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after that his brethren talked with him.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Judah and his brethren were waiting for
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an answer, and could not but be amazed to
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discover, instead of the gravity of a judge,
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the natural affection of a father or brother.</P>
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<P>
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I. Joseph ordered all his attendants to
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withdraw,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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The private conversations
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of friends are the most free. When Joseph
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would put on love he puts off state, and it
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was not fit his servants should be witnesses
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of this. Thus Christ graciously manifests
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himself and his loving-kindness to his people,
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out of the sight and hearing of the world.</P>
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<P>
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II. Tears were the preface or introduction
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to his discourse,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He had dammed up
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this stream a great while, and with much ado:
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but now it swelled so high that he could no
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longer contain, but <I>he wept aloud,</I> so that
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those whom he had forbidden to see him
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could not but hear him. These were tears of
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tenderness and strong affection, and with
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these he threw off that austerity with which
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he had hitherto carried himself towards his
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brethren; for he could bear it no longer.
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This represents the divine compassion towards
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returning penitents, as much as that of
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the father of the prodigal,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+15:20,Ho+14:8,9">Luke xv. 20; Hos. xiv. 8, 9</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. He very abruptly (as one uneasy till
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it was out) tells them who he was: <I>I am Joseph.</I>
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They knew him only by his Egyptian
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name, <I>Zaphnath-paaneah,</I> his Hebrew name
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being lost and forgotten in Egypt; but now
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he teaches them to call him by that: <I>I am
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Joseph;</I> nay, that they might not suspect it
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was another of the same name, he explains
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himself
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>I am Joseph, your brother.</I>
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This would both humble them yet more for
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their sin in selling him, and would encourage
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them to hope for kind treatment. Thus
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when Christ would convince Paul he said, <I>I
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am Jesus;</I> and when he would comfort his
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disciples he said, <I>It is I, be not afraid.</I> This
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word, at first, startled Joseph's brethren;
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they started back through fear, or at least
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stood still astonished; but Joseph called
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kindly and familiarly to them: <I>Come near, I
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pray you.</I> Thus when Christ manifests himself
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to his people he encourages them to draw
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near to him with a true heart. Perhaps,
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being about to speak of their selling him, he
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would not speak aloud, lest the Egyptians
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should overhear, and it should make the
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Hebrews to be yet more an abomination to
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them; therefore he would have them come
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near, that he might whisper with them, which,
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now that the tide of his passion was a little
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over, he was able to do, whereas at first he
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could not but cry out.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He endeavours to assuage their grief
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for the injuries they had done him, by showing
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them that whatever they designed God
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meant it for good, and had brought much
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good out of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>Be not grieved, nor
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angry with yourselves.</I> Sinners must grieve,
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and be angry with themselves, for their sins;
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yea, though God by his power brings good out
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of them, for no thanks are due to the sinner
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for this: but true penitents should be greatly
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affected when they see God thus bringing
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good out of evil, <I>meat out of the eater.</I>
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Though we must not with this consideration
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extenuate our own sins and so take off the
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edge of our repentance, yet it may be well
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thus to extenuate the sins of others and so
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take off the edge of our angry resentments.
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Thus Joseph does here; his brethren needed
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not to fear that he would avenge upon them
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an injury which God's providence had made
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to turn so much to his advantage and that of
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his family. Now he tells them how long the
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famine was likely to last--<I>five years;</I> yet
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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what a capacity he was in of being kind
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to his relations and friends, which is the
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greatest satisfaction that wealth and power
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can give to a good man,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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See what a
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favourable colour he puts upon the injury
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they had done him: <I>God sent me before you,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:5,7"><I>v.</I> 5, 7</A>.
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Note,
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1. God's Israel is the particular
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care of God's providence. Joseph
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reckoned that his advancement was not so
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much designed to save a whole kingdom of
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Egyptians as to preserve a small family of
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Israelites: <I>for the Lord's portion is his people;</I>
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whatever becomes of others, they shall
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be secured.
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2. Providence looks a great way
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forward, and has a long reach. Even long
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before the years of plenty, Providence was
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preparing for the supply of Jacob's house in
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the years of famine. The psalmist praises
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God for this
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+105:17">Ps. cv. 17</A>):
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<I>He sent a man before
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them, even Joseph.</I> God sees his work
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from the beginning to the end, but we do
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not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+3:11">Eccl. iii. 11</A>.
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How admirable are the
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projects of providence! How remote its
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tendencies! What wheels are there within
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wheels, and yet all directed by the eyes in
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the wheels, and the spirit of the living creature!
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Let us therefore judge nothing before
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the time.
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3. God often works by contraries.
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The envy and contention of brethren threaten
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the ruin of families, yet, in this instance,
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they prove the occasion of preserving Jacob's
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family. Joseph could never have been <I>the
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shepherd and stone of Israel</I> if his brethren
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had not shot at him, and hated him; even
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those that had wickedly sold Joseph into
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Egypt yet themselves reaped the benefit of
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the good God brought out of it; as those
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that put Christ to death were many of them
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saved by his death.
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4. God must have all
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the glory of the seasonable preservations of
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his people, by what way soever they are effected.
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<I>It was not you that sent me hither,
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but God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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As, on the one hand, they
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must not fret at it, because it ended so well,
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so on the other hand they must not be proud
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<A NAME="Page245"> </A>
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of it, because it was God's doing, and not
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theirs. They designed, by selling him into
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Egypt, to defeat his dreams, but God thereby
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designed to accomplish them.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:7">Isa. x. 7</A>,
|
||
|
|
<I>Howbeit he meaneth not so.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
V. He promises to take care of his father
|
||
|
|
and all the family during the rest of the years
|
||
|
|
of famine.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He desires that his father
|
||
|
|
may speedily be made glad with the tidings
|
||
|
|
of his life and dignity. His brethren must
|
||
|
|
hasten to Canaan, and must inform Jacob
|
||
|
|
that his son Joseph was <I>lord of all Egypt;</I>
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
||
|
|
they must tell him of all his glory
|
||
|
|
there,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
He knew it would be a refreshing
|
||
|
|
oil to his hoary head and a sovereign
|
||
|
|
cordial to his spirits. If any thing would
|
||
|
|
make him young again, this would. He desires
|
||
|
|
them to give themselves, and take with
|
||
|
|
them to their father, all possible satisfaction
|
||
|
|
of the truth of these surprising tidings:
|
||
|
|
<I>Your eyes see that it is my mouth,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
|
If they would recollect themselves, they might
|
||
|
|
remember something of his features, speech,
|
||
|
|
&c., and be satisfied.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He is very earnest
|
||
|
|
that his father and all his family should come
|
||
|
|
to him to Egypt: <I>Come down unto me, tarry
|
||
|
|
not,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
He allots his dwelling in Goshen,
|
||
|
|
that part of Egypt which lay towards Canaan,
|
||
|
|
that they might be mindful of the country
|
||
|
|
from which they were to come out,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
||
|
|
He promises to provide for him: <I>I
|
||
|
|
will nourish thee,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
Note, It is the duty
|
||
|
|
of children, if the necessity of their parents do
|
||
|
|
at any time require it, to support and supply
|
||
|
|
them to the utmost of their ability; and
|
||
|
|
<I>Corban</I> will never excuse them,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+7:11">Mark vii. 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
This is showing piety at home,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1ti+5:4">1 Tim. v. 4</A>.
|
||
|
|
Our Lord Jesus being, like Joseph, exalted
|
||
|
|
to the highest honours and powers of the
|
||
|
|
upper world, it is his will that all that are
|
||
|
|
his should be with him where he is,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:24">John xvii. 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
This is his commandment, that we
|
||
|
|
be with him now in faith and hope, and a
|
||
|
|
heavenly conversation; and this is his promise,
|
||
|
|
that we shall be for ever with him.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
VI. Endearments were interchanged between
|
||
|
|
him and his brethren. He began with
|
||
|
|
the youngest, his own brother Benjamin, who
|
||
|
|
was but about a year old when Joseph was
|
||
|
|
separated from his brethren; they wept on
|
||
|
|
each other's neck
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
||
|
|
perhaps to think of
|
||
|
|
their mother Rachel, who died in travail of
|
||
|
|
Benjamin. Rachel, in her husband Jacob,
|
||
|
|
had been lately weeping for her children, because,
|
||
|
|
in his apprehension, they were not--Joseph
|
||
|
|
gone, and Benjamin going; and now
|
||
|
|
they were weeping for her, because she was
|
||
|
|
not. After he had embraced Benjamin, he,
|
||
|
|
in like manner, caressed them all
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>);
|
||
|
|
and then <I>his brethren talked with him</I> freely and
|
||
|
|
familiarly of all the affairs of their father's
|
||
|
|
house. After the tokens of true reconciliation
|
||
|
|
follow the instances of a sweet communion.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_23"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_24"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Pharaoh's Kindness to Joseph.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1707.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 And the fame thereof was heard
|
||
|
|
in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's
|
||
|
|
brethren are come: and it pleased
|
||
|
|
Pharaoh well, and his servants.
|
||
|
|
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say
|
||
|
|
unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade
|
||
|
|
your beasts, and go, get you unto the
|
||
|
|
land of Canaan;
|
||
|
|
18 And take your
|
||
|
|
father and your households, and come
|
||
|
|
unto me: and I will give you the good
|
||
|
|
of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat
|
||
|
|
the fat of the land.
|
||
|
|
19 Now thou art
|
||
|
|
commanded, this do ye; take you
|
||
|
|
wagons out of the land of Egypt for
|
||
|
|
your little ones, and for your wives,
|
||
|
|
and bring your father, and come.
|
||
|
|
20 Also regard not your stuff; for the
|
||
|
|
good of all the land of Egypt <I>is</I> yours.
|
||
|
|
21 And the children of Israel did so:
|
||
|
|
and Joseph gave them wagons, according
|
||
|
|
to the commandment of Pharaoh,
|
||
|
|
and gave them provision for the way.
|
||
|
|
22 To all of them he gave each man
|
||
|
|
changes of raiment; but to Benjamin
|
||
|
|
he gave three hundred <I>pieces</I> of silver,
|
||
|
|
and five changes of raiment.
|
||
|
|
23 And
|
||
|
|
to his father he sent after this <I>manner;</I>
|
||
|
|
ten asses laden with the good
|
||
|
|
things of Egypt, and ten she asses
|
||
|
|
laden with corn and bread and meat
|
||
|
|
for his father by the way.
|
||
|
|
24 So he
|
||
|
|
sent his brethren away, and they departed:
|
||
|
|
and he said unto them, See
|
||
|
|
that ye fall not out by the way.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here is,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The kindness of Pharaoh to
|
||
|
|
Joseph, and to his relations for his sake: he
|
||
|
|
bade his brethren welcome
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
||
|
|
though it
|
||
|
|
was a time of scarcity, and they were likely to
|
||
|
|
be a charge to him. Nay, because it pleased
|
||
|
|
Pharaoh, it pleased his servants too, at least
|
||
|
|
they pretended to be pleased because Pharaoh
|
||
|
|
was. He engaged Joseph to send for
|
||
|
|
his father down to Egypt, and promised to
|
||
|
|
furnish them with all conveniences both for
|
||
|
|
his removal thither and his settlement there.
|
||
|
|
If the good of all the land of Egypt (as it
|
||
|
|
was not better stocked than any other land,
|
||
|
|
thanks to Joseph, under God) would suffice
|
||
|
|
him, he was welcome to it all, it was all his
|
||
|
|
own, even <I>the fat of the land</I>
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
||
|
|
so that
|
||
|
|
they need not <I>regard their stuff,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
What
|
||
|
|
they had in Canaan he reckoned but stuff, in
|
||
|
|
comparison with what he had for them in
|
||
|
|
Egypt; and therefore if they should be constrained
|
||
|
|
to leave some of that behind them,
|
||
|
|
let them not be discontented; Egypt would
|
||
|
|
afford them enough to make up the losses of
|
||
|
|
their removal. Thus those for whom Christ
|
||
|
|
intends shares in his heavenly glory ought
|
||
|
|
not to regard the stuff of this world: The
|
||
|
|
best of its enjoyments are but stuff, but
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Page246"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
lumber; we cannot make sure of it while we are
|
||
|
|
here, much less can we carry it a way with us;
|
||
|
|
let us not therefore be solicitous about it, nor
|
||
|
|
set our eyes or hearts upon it. There are
|
||
|
|
better things reserved for us in that blessed
|
||
|
|
land whither our Joseph has gone to prepare
|
||
|
|
a place.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. The kindness of Joseph to his father
|
||
|
|
and brethren. Pharaoh was respectful to
|
||
|
|
Joseph, in gratitude, because he had been an
|
||
|
|
instrument of much good to him and his
|
||
|
|
kingdom, not only preserving it from the
|
||
|
|
common calamity, but helping to make it
|
||
|
|
considerable among the nations; for all their
|
||
|
|
neighbours would say, "Surely the Egyptians
|
||
|
|
are a wise and an understanding people,
|
||
|
|
that are so well stocked in a time of scarcity."
|
||
|
|
For this reason Pharaoh never thought any
|
||
|
|
thing too much that he could do for Joseph.
|
||
|
|
Note, There is a gratitude owing even to inferiors;
|
||
|
|
and when any have shown us kindness
|
||
|
|
we should study to requite it, not only
|
||
|
|
to them, but to their relations. And Joseph
|
||
|
|
likewise was respectful to his father and
|
||
|
|
brethren in duty, because they were his near
|
||
|
|
relations, though his brethren had been his
|
||
|
|
enemies, and his father long a stranger.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He furnished them for necessity,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
||
|
|
He gave them wagons and provisions for the
|
||
|
|
way, both going and coming; for we never
|
||
|
|
find that Jacob was very rich, and, at this
|
||
|
|
time, when the famine prevailed, we may
|
||
|
|
suppose he was rather poor.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He furnished
|
||
|
|
them for ornament and delight. To
|
||
|
|
his brethren he gave two suits apiece of good
|
||
|
|
clothes, to Benjamin five suits, and money
|
||
|
|
besides in his pocket,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
To his father
|
||
|
|
he sent a very handsome present of the varieties
|
||
|
|
of Egypt,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
|
Note, Those that are
|
||
|
|
wealthy should be generous, and devise liberal
|
||
|
|
things; what is an abundance good for,
|
||
|
|
but to do good with it?
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. He dismissed
|
||
|
|
them with a seasonable caution: <I>See that
|
||
|
|
you fall not out by the way,</I>
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
He knew
|
||
|
|
they were but too apt to be quarrelsome; and
|
||
|
|
what had lately passed, which revived the
|
||
|
|
remembrance of what they had done formerly
|
||
|
|
against their brother, might give them
|
||
|
|
occasion to quarrel. Joseph had observed
|
||
|
|
them to contend about it,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+42:22"><I>ch.</I> xlii. 22</A>.
|
||
|
|
To one
|
||
|
|
they would say, "It was you that first upbraided
|
||
|
|
him with his dreams;" to another,
|
||
|
|
"It was you that said, Let us kill him;" to
|
||
|
|
another, "It was you that stripped him of
|
||
|
|
his fine coat;" to another, "It was you that
|
||
|
|
threw him into the pit," &c. Now Joseph,
|
||
|
|
having forgiven them all, lays this obligation
|
||
|
|
upon them, not to upbraid one another.
|
||
|
|
This charge our Lord Jesus has given to
|
||
|
|
us, <I>that we love one another,</I> that we live in
|
||
|
|
peace, that whatever occurs, or whatever former
|
||
|
|
occurrences are remembered, we fall not
|
||
|
|
out. For,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) We are brethren, we have all
|
||
|
|
one Father.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) We are his brethren, and
|
||
|
|
we shame our relation to him <I>who is our
|
||
|
|
peace,</I> if we fall out.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(3.) We are guilty,
|
||
|
|
<I>verily guilty,</I> and, instead of quarrelling with
|
||
|
|
one another, have a great deal of reason to
|
||
|
|
fall out with ourselves.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(4.) We are, or hope
|
||
|
|
to be, forgiven of God whom we have all offended,
|
||
|
|
and therefore should be ready to forgive
|
||
|
|
one another.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(5.) We are <I>by the way,</I> a
|
||
|
|
way that lies through the land of Egypt,
|
||
|
|
where we have many eyes upon us, that seek
|
||
|
|
occasion and advantage against us, a way
|
||
|
|
that leads to Canaan, where we hope to be
|
||
|
|
for ever in perfect peace.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_25"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_26"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_27"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Ge45_28"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The History of Joseph.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1707.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>25 And they went up out of Egypt,
|
||
|
|
and came into the land of Canaan unto
|
||
|
|
Jacob their father,
|
||
|
|
26 And told him,
|
||
|
|
saying, Joseph <I>is</I> yet alive, and he <I>is</I>
|
||
|
|
governor over all the land of Egypt.
|
||
|
|
And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed
|
||
|
|
them not.
|
||
|
|
27 And they told
|
||
|
|
him all the words of Joseph, which he
|
||
|
|
had said unto them: and when he saw
|
||
|
|
the wagons which Joseph had sent to
|
||
|
|
carry him, the spirit of Jacob their
|
||
|
|
father revived:
|
||
|
|
28 And Israel said, <I>It
|
||
|
|
is</I> enough; Joseph my son <I>is</I> yet alive:
|
||
|
|
I will go and see him before I die.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We have here the good news brought to
|
||
|
|
Jacob.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The relation of it, at first, sunk
|
||
|
|
his spirits. When, without any preamble,
|
||
|
|
his sons came in, crying, <I>Joseph is yet alive,</I>
|
||
|
|
each striving which should first proclaim it,
|
||
|
|
perhaps he thought they bantered him, and
|
||
|
|
the affront grieved him; or the very mention
|
||
|
|
of Joseph's name revived his sorrow, so that
|
||
|
|
his heart fainted,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
|
It was a good while
|
||
|
|
before he came to himself. He was in such
|
||
|
|
care and fear about the rest of them that at
|
||
|
|
this time it would have been joy enough to
|
||
|
|
him to hear that Simeon was released, and
|
||
|
|
that Benjamin had come safely home (for he
|
||
|
|
had been ready to despair concerning both
|
||
|
|
these); but to hear that <I>Joseph is alive</I> is too
|
||
|
|
good news to be true; he faints, for he believes
|
||
|
|
it not. Note, We faint, because we do
|
||
|
|
not believe; David himself had fainted if he
|
||
|
|
had not believed,
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:13">Ps. xxvii. 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The confirmation
|
||
|
|
of it, by degrees, revived his spirit.
|
||
|
|
Jacob had easily believed his sons formerly
|
||
|
|
when they told him, <I>Joseph is dead;</I> but he
|
||
|
|
can hardly believe them now that they tell
|
||
|
|
him, <I>Joseph is alive.</I> Weak and tender spirits
|
||
|
|
are influenced more by fear than hope, and
|
||
|
|
are more apt to receive impressions that are
|
||
|
|
discouraging than those that are encouraging.
|
||
|
|
But at length Jacob is convinced of the truth
|
||
|
|
of the story, especially when he sees the
|
||
|
|
waggons which were sent to carry him (for
|
||
|
|
seeing is believing), then his <I>spirit revived.</I>
|
||
|
|
Death is as the waggons which are sent to
|
||
|
|
fetch us to Christ: the very sight of it approaching
|
||
|
|
should revive us. Now Jacob is
|
||
|
|
called Israel
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+45:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
||
|
|
for he begins to recover
|
||
|
|
his wonted vigour.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) It pleases him to
|
||
|
|
think that Joseph is alive. He says nothing
|
||
|
|
of Joseph's glory, of which they told him; it
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Page247"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
was enough to him that Joseph was alive.
|
||
|
|
Note, Those that would be content with less
|
||
|
|
degrees of comfort are best prepared for
|
||
|
|
greater.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) It pleases him to think of going
|
||
|
|
to see him. Though he was old, and the
|
||
|
|
journey long, yet he would go to see Joseph,
|
||
|
|
because Joseph's business would not permit
|
||
|
|
him to come to see him. Observe, He says,
|
||
|
|
"<I>I will go and see him,</I>" not, "I will go and
|
||
|
|
live with him;" Jacob was old, and did not
|
||
|
|
expect to live long; "But I will go and see
|
||
|
|
him <I>before I die,</I> and then let me depart in
|
||
|
|
peace; let my eyes be refreshed with this
|
||
|
|
sight before they are closed, and then it is
|
||
|
|
<I>enough,</I> I need no more to make me happy
|
||
|
|
in this world." Note, It is good for us all
|
||
|
|
to make death familiar to us, and to speak of
|
||
|
|
it as near, that we may think how little we
|
||
|
|
have to do before we die, that we may do it
|
||
|
|
with all our might, and may enjoy our comforts
|
||
|
|
as those that must quickly die, and
|
||
|
|
leave them.</P>
|
||
|
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|
||
|
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