mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 43.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xliv" n="xliv" next="Gen.xlv" prev="Gen.xliii" progress="27.37%" title="Chapter XLIII">
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<h2 id="Gen.xliv-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xliv-p0.2">CHAP. XLIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xliv-p1">Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on,
and very particularly related. I. Their melancholy parting with
their father Jacob in Canaan, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.1-Gen.43.14" parsed="|Gen|43|1|43|14" passage="Ge 43:1-14">ver.
1-14</scripRef>. II. Their pleasant meeting with Joseph in Egypt,
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.15-Gen.43.34" parsed="|Gen|43|15|43|34" passage="Ge 43:15-34">ver. 15</scripRef>, &amp;c. For on
this occasion nothing occurs there but what is agreeable and
pleasant.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xliv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43" parsed="|Gen|43|0|0|0" passage="Ge 43" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xliv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.1-Gen.43.10" parsed="|Gen|43|1|43|10" passage="Ge 43:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.43.1-Gen.43.10">
<h4 id="Gen.xliv-p1.5">Jacob Unwilling to Part with
Benjamin. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xliv-p1.6">b. c.</span> 1707.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xliv-p2">1 And the famine <i>was</i> sore in the land.
  2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which
they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go
again, buy us a little food.   3 And Judah spake unto him,
saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not
see my face, except your brother <i>be</i> with you.   4 If
thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee
food:   5 But if thou wilt not send <i>him,</i> we will not go
down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except
your brother <i>be</i> with you.   6 And Israel said,
Wherefore dealt ye <i>so</i> ill with me, <i>as</i> to tell the man
whether ye had yet a brother?   7 And they said, The man asked
us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, <i>Is</i>
your father yet alive? have ye <i>another</i> brother? and we told
him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know
that he would say, Bring your brother down?   8 And Judah said
unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and
go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, <i>and</i>
also our little ones.   9 I will be surety for him; of my hand
shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him
before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:   10 For
except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second
time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p3">Here, 1. Jacob urges his sons to go and buy
more corn in Egypt, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.1-Gen.43.2" parsed="|Gen|43|1|43|2" passage="Ge 43:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>. The famine continued; and the corn they had bought
was all spent, for it is meat that perisheth. Jacob, as a good
master of a family, is in care to provide for those of his own
house food convenient; and shall not God provide for his children,
for <i>the household of faith?</i> Jacob bids them go again and buy
a <i>little</i> food; now, in time of scarcity, a little must
suffice, for nature is content with a little. 2. Judah urges him to
consent that Benjamin should go down with them, how much soever it
went against his feelings and previous determination. Note, It is
not at all inconsistent with the honour and duty which children owe
their parents humbly and modestly to advise them, and, as occasion
is, to reason with them. <i>Plead with your mother, plead,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Hos.2.2" parsed="|Hos|2|2|0|0" passage="ho 2:2">Hos. ii. 2</scripRef>. (1.) He insists
upon the

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absolute necessity they were under
of bringing Benjamin with them, of which he, who was a witness to
all that had passed in Egypt, was a more competent judge than Jacob
could be. Joseph's protestation (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.3" parsed="|Gen|43|3|0|0" passage="Ge 43:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) may be alluded to to show upon
what terms we must draw nigh to God; unless we bring Christ along
with us in the arms of our faith, we cannot see the face of God
with comfort. (2.) He engages to take all possible care of him, and
to do his utmost for his safety, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.8-Gen.43.9" parsed="|Gen|43|8|43|9" passage="Ge 43:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. Judah's conscience had
lately smitten him for what he had done a great while ago against
Joseph (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.42.21" parsed="|Gen|42|21|0|0" passage="Ge 42:21"><i>ch.</i> xlii.
21</scripRef>); and, as an evidence of the truth of his repentance,
he is ready to undertake, as far as a man could do it, for
Benjamin's security. He will not only not wrong him, but will do
all he can to protect him. This is restitution, as far as the case
will admit; when he knew not how he could restore Joseph, he would
make some amends for the irreparable injury he had done him by
doubling his care concerning Benjamin.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xliv-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.11-Gen.43.14" parsed="|Gen|43|11|43|14" passage="Ge 43:11-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.43.11-Gen.43.14">
<h4 id="Gen.xliv-p3.7">Joseph's Brethren Again Sent to
Egypt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xliv-p3.8">b. c.</span> 1707.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xliv-p4">11 And their father Israel said unto them, If
<i>it must be</i> so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the
land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little
balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
  12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that
was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry <i>it</i> again
in your hand; peradventure it <i>was</i> an oversight:   13
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:   14
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send
away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved <i>of my
children,</i> I am bereaved.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p5">Observe here, I. Jacob's persuasibleness.
He would be ruled by reason, though they were his inferiors that
urged it. He saw the necessity of the case; and, since there was no
remedy, he consented to yield to the necessity (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.11" parsed="|Gen|43|11|0|0" passage="Ge 43:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): "<i>If it must be so now, take
your brother.</i> If no corn can be had but upon those terms, we
may as well expose him to the perils of the journey as suffer
ourselves and families, and Benjamin amongst the rest, to perish
for want of bread." <i>Skin for skin, and all that a man has,</i>
even a Benjamin, the dearest of all, <i>will he give for his
life.</i> No death so dreadful as that by famine, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Lam.4.9" parsed="|Lam|4|9|0|0" passage="La 4:9">Lam. iv. 9</scripRef>. Jacob had said (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.42.38" parsed="|Gen|42|38|0|0" passage="Ge 42:38"><i>ch.</i> xlii. 38</scripRef>), <i>My son shall
not go down;</i> but now he is over-persuaded to consent. Note, It
is no fault, but our wisdom and duty, to alter our purposes and
resolutions when there is a good reason for our so doing. Constancy
is a virtue, but obstinacy is not. It is God's prerogative not to
repent, and to make unchangeable resolves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p6">II. Jacob's prudence and justice, which
appeared in three things:—1. He sent back the money which they had
found in the sacks' mouths, with this discreet construction of it,
<i>Peradventure it was an oversight.</i> Note, Honesty obliges us
to make restitution, not only of that which comes to us by our own
fault, but of that which comes to us by the mistakes of others.
Though we get it by oversight, if we keep it when the oversight is
discovered, it is kept by deceit. In the stating of accounts,
errors must be excepted, even those that make for us as well as
those that make against us. Jacob's words furnish us with a
favourable construction to put upon that which we are tempted to
resent as an injury and affront; pass it by, and say,
<i>Peradventure it was an oversight.</i> 2. He sent double money,
as much again as they took the time before, upon supposition that
the price of corn might have risen,—or that if it should be
insisted upon they might pay a ransom for Simeon, or his
prison-fees,—or to show a generous spirit, that they might be the
more likely to find generous treatment with <i>the man, the lord of
the land.</i> 3. He sent a present of such things as the land
afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt—<i>balm and honey,
&amp;c.</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.11" parsed="|Gen|43|11|0|0" passage="Ge 43:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>),
the commodities that Canaan exported, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.37.25" parsed="|Gen|37|25|0|0" passage="Ge 37:25"><i>ch.</i> xxxvii. 25</scripRef>. Note, (1.) Providence
dispenses its gifts variously. Some countries produce one
commodity, others another, that commerce may be preserved. (2.)
Honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The
famine was sore in Canaan, and yet they had balm and myrrh, &amp;c.
We may live well enough upon plain food without dainties; but we
cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that
that which is most needful and useful is generally most cheap and
common. (3.) A <i>gift in secret pacifies wrath,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.21.14" parsed="|Prov|21|14|0|0" passage="Pr 21:14">Prov. xxi. 14</scripRef>. Jacob's sons were
unjustly accused as spies, yet Jacob was willing to be at the
expense of a present, to pacify the accuser. Sometimes we must not
think it too much to buy peace even where we may justly demand it,
and insist upon it as our right.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p7">III. Jacob's piety appearing in his prayer:
<i>God Almighty give you mercy before the man!</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.14" parsed="|Gen|43|14|0|0" passage="Ge 43:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Jacob had formerly
turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a
prayer; and here he betakes himself to the same tried method, and
it sped well. Note, Those that would find mercy with men must seek
it of God, who has all hearts in his hands, and turns them as he
pleases.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p8">IV. Jacob's patience. He concludes all with
this: "<i>If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved;</i> If I
must part with them thus one after another, I must acquiesce, and
say, <i>The will of the Lord be done.</i>" Note, It is our wisdom
to reconcile ourselves to the sorest afflictions, and make the best
of

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them; for there is nothing got by
striving with our Maker, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.15.25-2Sam.15.26" parsed="|2Sam|15|25|15|26" passage="2Sa 15:25,26">2 Sam.
xv. 25, 26</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xliv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.15-Gen.43.25" parsed="|Gen|43|15|43|25" passage="Ge 43:15-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.43.15-Gen.43.25">
<h4 id="Gen.xliv-p8.3">Joseph Entertains His
Brethren. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xliv-p8.4">b. c.</span> 1707.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xliv-p9">15 And the men took that present, and they took
double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went
down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.   16 And when Joseph
saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring
<i>these</i> men home, and slay, and make ready; for <i>these</i>
men shall dine with me at noon.   17 And the man did as Joseph
bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.   18
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's
house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our
sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek
occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and
our asses.   19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's
house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,  
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy
food:   21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that
we opened our sacks, and, behold, <i>every</i> man's money
<i>was</i> in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and
we have brought it again in our hand.   22 And other money
have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who
put our money in our sacks.   23 And he said, Peace <i>be</i>
to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given
you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon
out unto them.   24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's
house, and gave <i>them</i> water, and they washed their feet; and
he gave their asses provender.   25 And they made ready the
present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they
should eat bread there.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p10">Jacob's sons, having got leave to take
Benjamin with them, were observant of the orders their father had
given them, and went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn.
If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not
think it much to travel as far for spiritual food as they did for
corporal food. Now here we have an account of what passed between
them and Joseph's steward, who, some conjecture, was in the secret,
and knew them to be Joseph's brethren, and helped to humour the
thing; I rather think not, because no man was permitted to be
present when Joseph afterwards made himself known to them,
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.45.1" parsed="|Gen|45|1|0|0" passage="Ge 45:1"><i>ch.</i> xlv. 1</scripRef>. Observe,
1. Joseph's steward has orders from his master (who was busy
selling corn, and receiving money) to take them to his house, and
make ready for their entertainment. Though Joseph saw Benjamin
there, he would not leave his work at working-time, nor trust
another with it. Note, Business must take place of civility in its
season. Our needful employments must not be neglected, no, not to
pay respect to our friends. 2. Even this frightened them: <i>They
were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.18" parsed="|Gen|43|18|0|0" passage="Ge 43:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. The just
challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph's violent
suspicions of them, forbade them to expect any favour, and
suggested to them that this was done with a bad design upon them.
Note, Those that are guilty and timorous are apt to make the worst
of every thing. Now they thought they should be reckoned with about
the money in the sacks' mouths, and should be charged as cheats,
and men not fit to be dealt with, who had taken advantage of the
hurry of the market to carry off their corn unpaid for. They
therefore laid the case before the steward, that he, being apprized
of it, might stand between them and danger; and, as a substantial
proof of their honesty, before they were charged with taking back
their money they produced it. Note, Integrity and uprightness will
preserve us, and will clear themselves as the light of the morning.
3. The steward encouraged them (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.23" parsed="|Gen|43|23|0|0" passage="Ge 43:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>): <i>Peace be to you, fear
not;</i> though he knew not what his master drove at, yet he was
aware these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused
them; and therefore he directs them to look at the divine
Providence in the return of their money: <i>Your God, and the God
of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.</i> Observe,
(1.) Hereby he shows that he had no suspicion at all of dishonesty
in them: for of what we get by deceit we cannot say, "God gives it
to us." (2.) Hereby he silences their further enquiry about it.
"Ask not how it came thither; Providence brought it to you, and let
that satisfy you." (3.) It appears by what he said that, by his
good master's instructions, he was brought to the knowledge of the
true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be expected that
those who are servants in religious families should take all fit
occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and
seriousness. (4.) He directs them to look up to God, and
acknowledge his providence in the good bargain they had. We must
own ourselves indebted to God, as <i>our God and the God of our
fathers</i> (a God in covenant with

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us and
them) for all our successes and advantages, and the kindnesses of
our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which
God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only in words
but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master came,
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.24" parsed="|Gen|43|24|0|0" passage="Ge 43:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xliv-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.26-Gen.43.34" parsed="|Gen|43|26|43|34" passage="Ge 43:26-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.43.26-Gen.43.34">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xliv-p11">26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him
the present which <i>was</i> in their hand into the house, and
bowed themselves to him to the earth.   27 And he asked them
of <i>their</i> welfare, and said, <i>Is</i> your father well, the
old man of whom ye spake? <i>Is</i> he yet alive?   28 And
they answered, Thy servant our father <i>is</i> in good health, he
<i>is</i> yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made
obeisance.   29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother
Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, <i>Is</i> this your younger
brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious
unto thee, my son.   30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels
did yearn upon his brother: and he sought <i>where</i> to weep; and
he entered into <i>his</i> chamber, and wept there.   31 And
he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said,
Set on bread.   32 And they set on for him by himself, and for
them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him,
by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the
Hebrews; for that <i>is</i> an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his
birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men
marvelled one at another.   34 And he took <i>and sent</i>
messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five
times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p12">Here is, I. The great respect that Joseph's
brethren paid to him. When they brought him the present, <i>they
bowed themselves before him</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.26" parsed="|Gen|43|26|0|0" passage="Ge 43:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>); and again, when they gave him
an account of their father's health, <i>they made obeisance,</i>
and called him, <i>Thy servant our father,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.28" parsed="|Gen|43|28|0|0" passage="Ge 43:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. Thus were Joseph's dreams
fulfilled more and more: and even the father, by the sons, <i>bowed
before him,</i> according to the dream, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.37.10" parsed="|Gen|37|10|0|0" passage="Ge 37:10"><i>ch.</i> xxxvii. 10</scripRef>. Probably Jacob had
directed them, if they had occasion to speak of him to <i>the man,
the lord of the land,</i> to call him <i>his servant.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p13">II. The great kindness that Joseph showed
to them, while they little thought it was a brotherly kindness.
Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p14">1. His kind enquiry concerning Jacob: <i>Is
he yet alive?</i>—a very fit question to be asked concerning any,
especially concerning old people; for we are dying daily: it is
strange that we are <i>yet alive.</i> Jacob had said many years
before, <i>I will go to the grave to my son;</i> but <i>he is yet
alive:</i> we must not die when we will.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p15">2. The kind notice he took of Benjamin, his
own brother. (1.) He put up a prayer for him: <i>God be gracious
unto thee, my son,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.29" parsed="|Gen|43|29|0|0" passage="Ge 43:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>. Joseph's favour, though he was the lord of the land,
would do him little good, unless God were gracious to him. Many
seek the ruler's favour, but Joseph directs him to seek the favour
of the ruler of rulers. (2.) He shed some tears for him, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.30" parsed="|Gen|43|30|0|0" passage="Ge 43:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. His natural affection
to his brother, his joy to see him, his concern at seeing him and
the rest of them in distress for bread, and the remembrance of his
own griefs since he last saw him, produced a great agitation in
him, which perhaps was the more uneasy because he endeavoured to
stifle and suppress it; but he was forced to retire into his
closet, there to give vent to his feeling by tears. Note, [1.]
Tears of tenderness and affection are no disparagement at all, even
to great and wise men. [2.] Gracious weepers should not proclaim
their tears. <i>My soul shall weep in secret,</i> says the prophet,
<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.13.17" parsed="|Jer|13|17|0|0" passage="Jer 13:17">Jer. xiii. 17</scripRef>. <i>Peter
went out and wept bitterly.</i> See <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.26.75" parsed="|Matt|26|75|0|0" passage="Mt 26:75">Matt. xxvi. 75</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p16">3. His kind entertainment of them all. When
his weeping had subsided so that he could refrain himself, he sat
down to dinner with them, treated them nobly, and yet contrived
every thing to amuse them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p17">(1.) He ordered three tables to be spread,
one for his brethren, another for the Egyptians that dined with him
(for so different were their customs that they did not care to eat
together), another for himself, who durst not own himself a Hebrew,
and yet would not sit with the Egyptians. See here an instance,
[1.] Of hospitality and good house-keeping, which are very
commendable, according as the ability is. [2.] Of compliance with
people's humours, even whimsical ones, as bishop Patrick calls this
of the Egyptians not eating with the Hebrews. Though Joseph was the
lord of the land, and orders were given that all people should obey
him, yet he would not force the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews,
against their minds, but let them enjoy their humours. Spirits
truly generous hate to impose. [3.] Of the early distance between
Jews and Gentiles; one table would not hold them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p18">(2.) He placed his brethren according to
their seniority (<scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.33" parsed="|Gen|43|33|0|0" passage="Ge 43:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>), as if he <i>could certainly divine.</i> Some think
they placed themselves so, according to their custom; but, if so, I
see not why such particular notice is taken of it, especially as a
thing they marvelled at.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xliv-p19">(3.) He gave them a very plentiful

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entertainment, sent messes to them from his own
table, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.43.34" parsed="|Gen|43|34|0|0" passage="Ge 43:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. This
was the more generous in him, and the more obliging to them,
because of the present scarcity of provisions. In a day of famine,
it is enough to be fed; but here they were feasted. Perhaps they
had not had such a good dinner for many months. It is said, <i>They
drank and were merry;</i> their cares and fears were now over, and
they ate their bread with joy, concluding they were now upon good
terms with the man, the lord of the land. If God accept our works,
<i>our present,</i> we have reason to be cheerful. Yet when we sit,
as they here did, to eat with a ruler, we should consider what is
before us, and not indulge our appetite, nor be desirous of
dainties, <scripRef id="Gen.xliv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.1-Prov.23.3" parsed="|Prov|23|1|23|3" passage="Pr 23:1-3">Prov. xxiii.
1-3</scripRef>. Joseph gave them to understand that Benjamin was
his favourite; for his mess was <i>five times as much as any of
theirs,</i> not as if he would have him eat so much more than the
rest, for then he must eat more than would do him good (and it is
no act of friendship, but rather an injury and unkindness, to press
any either to eat or drink to excess), but thus he would testify
his particular respect for him, that he might try whether his
brethren would envy Benjamin his larger messes, as formerly they
had envied himself his finer coat. And it must be our rule, in such
cases, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what
others have.</p>
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