mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 46.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xlvii" n="xlvii" next="Gen.xlviii" prev="Gen.xlvi" progress="28.53%" title="Chapter XLVI">
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<h2 id="Gen.xlvii-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xlvii-p0.2">CHAP. XLVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xlvii-p1">Jacob is here removing to Egypt in his old age,
forced thither by a famine, and invited thither by a son. Here, I.
God sends him thither, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.1-Gen.46.4" parsed="|Gen|46|1|46|4" passage="Ge 46:1-4">ver.
1-4</scripRef>. II. All his family goes with him, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.5-Gen.46.27" parsed="|Gen|46|5|46|27" passage="Ge 46:5-27">ver. 5-27</scripRef>. III. Joseph bids him
welcome, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.28-Gen.46.34" parsed="|Gen|46|28|46|34" passage="Ge 46:28-34">ver. 28-34</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xlvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46" parsed="|Gen|46|0|0|0" passage="Ge 46" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xlvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.1-Gen.46.4" parsed="|Gen|46|1|46|4" passage="Ge 46:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.46.1-Gen.46.4">
<h4 id="Gen.xlvii-p1.6">Jacob Sacrifices at
Beersheba. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xlvii-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1707.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xlvii-p2">1 And Israel took his journey with all that he
had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of
his father Isaac.   2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions
of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here <i>am</i>
I.   3 And he said, I <i>am</i> God, the God of thy father:
fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a
great nation:   4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I
will also surely bring thee up <i>again:</i> and Joseph shall put
his hand upon thine eyes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p3">The divine precept is, <i>In all thy ways
acknowledge God;</i> and the promise annexed to it is, <i>He shall
direct thy paths.</i> Jacob has here a very great concern before
him, not only a journey, but a removal, to settle in another
country, a change which was very surprising to him (for he never
had any other thoughts than to live and die in Canaan), and which
would be of great consequence to his family for a long time to
come. Now here we are told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p4">I. How he acknowledged God in this way. He
<i>came to Beersheba,</i> from Hebron, where he now dwelt; and
there <i>he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.1" parsed="|Gen|46|1|0|0" passage="Ge 46:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. He chose that
place, in remembrance of the communion which his father and
grandfather had with God in that place. Abraham called on God there
(<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.21.33" parsed="|Gen|21|33|0|0" passage="Ge 21:33"><i>ch.</i> xxi. 33</scripRef>), so
did Isaac (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.26.25" parsed="|Gen|26|25|0|0" passage="Ge 26:25"><i>ch.</i> xxvi.
25</scripRef>), and therefore Jacob made it the place of his
devotion, the rather because it lay in his way. In his devotion, 1.
He had an eye to God as the God of his father Isaac, that is, a God
in covenant with him; for by Isaac the covenant was entailed upon
him. God had forbidden Isaac to go down to Egypt when there was a
famine in Canaan (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.26.2" parsed="|Gen|26|2|0|0" passage="Ge 26:2"><i>ch.</i> xxvi.
2</scripRef>), which perhaps Jacob calls to mind when he consults
God as the God of his father Isaac, with this thought, "Lord,
though I am very desirous to see Joseph, yet if thou forbid me to
go down to Egypt, as thou didst my father Isaac, I will submit, and
very contentedly stay where I am." 2. He <i>offered sacrifices,</i>
extraordinary sacrifices, besides those at his stated times; these
sacrifices were offered, (1.) By way of thanksgiving for the late
blessed change of the face of his family, for the good news he had
received concerning Joseph, and for the hopes he had of seeing him.
Note, We should give God thanks for the beginnings of mercy, though
they are not yet perfected; and this is a decent way of begging
further mercy. (2.) By way of petition for the presence of God with
him in his intended journey; he desired by these sacrifices to make
his peace with God, to obtain the forgiveness of sin, that he might
take no guilt along with him in this journey, for that is a bad
companion. By Christ, the great sacrifice, we must reconcile
ourselves to God, and offer up our requests to him. (3.) By way of
consultation. The heathen consulted their oracles by sacrifice.
Jacob would not go till he had asked God's leave: "Shall I go down
to Egypt, or back to Hebron?" Such must be our enquiries in
doubtful cases; and, though we cannot expect immediate answers from
heaven, yet, if we diligently attend to the directions of the word,
conscience, and providence, we shall find it is not in vain to ask
counsel of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p5">II. How God directed his paths: <i>In the
visions of the night</i> (probably the very next night after he had
offered his sacrifices, as <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.1.7" parsed="|2Chr|1|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 1:7">2 Chron. i.
7</scripRef>) <i>God spoke unto him,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.2" parsed="|Gen|46|2|0|0" passage="Ge 46:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Note, Those who desire to keep up
communion with God shall find that it never fails on his side. If
we speak to him as we ought, he will not fail to speak to us. God
called him by name, by his old name, <i>Jacob, Jacob,</i> to remind
him of his low estate; his present fears did scarcely become an
Israel. Jacob, like one well acquainted with the visions of the
Almighty, and ready to obey them, answers, "<i>Here I am,</i> ready
to receive orders:" and what has God to say to him?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p6">1. He renews the covenant with him: <i>I am
God, the God of thy father</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.3" parsed="|Gen|46|3|0|0" passage="Ge 46:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>); that is, "I am what thou ownest
me to be: thou shalt find me a God, a divine wisdom and power
engaged for thee; and thou shalt find me the God of thy father,
true to the covenant made with him."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p7">2. He encourages him to make this removal
of his family: <i>Fear not to go down into Egypt.</i> It seems,
though Jacob, upon the first intelligence of Joseph's life and
glory in Egypt, resolved, without any hesitation, <i>I will go and
see him;</i> yet, upon second thoughts, he saw some difficulties in
it, which

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he knew not well how to get over.
Note, Even those changes that seem to have in them the greatest
joys and hopes, yet have an alloy of cares and fears, <i>Nulla est
sincera voluptas—There is no unmingled pleasure.</i> We must
always rejoice with trembling. Jacob had many careful thoughts
about this journey, which God took notice of. (1.) He was old, 130
years old; and it is mentioned as one of the infirmities of old
people that they are <i>afraid of that which is high, and fears are
in the way,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.12.5" parsed="|Eccl|12|5|0|0" passage="Ec 12:5">Eccl. xii.
5</scripRef>. It was a long journey, and Jacob was unfit for
travel, and perhaps remembered that his beloved Rachel died in a
journey. (2.) He feared lest his sons should be tainted with the
idolatry of Egypt, and forget the God of their fathers, or
enamoured with the pleasures of Egypt, and forget the land of
promise. (3.) Probably he thought of what God had said to Abraham
concerning the bondage and affliction of his seed (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.13" parsed="|Gen|15|13|0|0" passage="Ge 15:13"><i>ch.</i> xv. 13</scripRef>), and was
apprehensive that his removal to Egypt would issue in that. Present
satisfactions should not take us off from the consideration and
prospect of future inconveniences, which possibly may arise from
what now appears most promising. (4.) He could not think of laying
his bones in Egypt. But, whatever his discouragements were, this
was enough to answer them all, <i>Fear not to go down into
Egypt.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p8">3. He promises him comfort in the removal.
(1.) That he should multiply in Egypt: "<i>I will there,</i> where
thou fearest that thy family will sink and be lost, <i>make it a
great nation.</i> That is the place Infinite Wisdom has chosen for
the accomplishment of that promise." (2.) That he should have God's
presence with him: <i>I will go down with thee into Egypt.</i>
Note, Those that go whither God sends them shall certainly have God
with them, and that is enough to secure them wherever they are and
to silence their fears; we may safely venture even into Egypt if
God go down with us. (3.) That neither he nor his should be lost in
Egypt: <i>I will surely bring thee up again.</i> Though Jacob died
in Egypt, yet this promise was fulfilled, [1.] In the bringing up
of his body, to be buried in Canaan, about which, it appears, he
was very solicitous, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.29 Bible:Gen.49.32" parsed="|Gen|49|29|0|0;|Gen|49|32|0|0" passage="Ge 49:29,32"><i>ch.</i>
xlix. 29, 32</scripRef>. [2.] In the bringing up of his seed to be
settled in Canaan. Whatever low or darksome valley we are called
into at any time, we may be confident, if God go down with us into
it, that he will surely bring us up again. If he go with us down to
death, he will surely bring us up again to glory. (4.) That living
and dying, his beloved Joseph should be a comfort to him: <i>Joseph
shall put his hand upon thine eyes.</i> This is a promise that
Joseph should live as long as he lived, that he should be with him
at his death, and close his eyes with all possible tenderness and
respect, as the dearest relations used to do. Probably Jacob, in
the multitude of his thoughts within him, had been wishing that
Joseph might do this last office of love for him: <i>Ille meos
oculos comprimat—Let him close my eyes;</i> and God thus answered
him in the letter of his desire. Thus God sometimes gratifies the
innocent wishes of his people, and makes not only their death
happy, but the very circumstances of it agreeable.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xlvii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.5-Gen.46.27" parsed="|Gen|46|5|46|27" passage="Ge 46:5-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.46.5-Gen.46.27">
<h4 id="Gen.xlvii-p8.3">Jacob's Removal to Egypt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xlvii-p8.4">b. c.</span> 1706.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xlvii-p9">5 And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the
sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones,
and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
  6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they
had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and
all his seed with him:   7 His sons, and his sons' sons with
him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed
brought he with him into Egypt.   8 And these <i>are</i> the
names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and
his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.   9 And the sons of
Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.   10 And
the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and
Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.   11 And the
sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.   12 And the sons
of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er
and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were
Hezron and Hamul.   13 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and
Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.   14 And the sons of Zebulun;
Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.   15 These <i>be</i> the sons of
Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter
Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters <i>were</i>
thirty and three.   16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and
Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.   17 And
the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and
Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
  18 These <i>are</i> the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to
Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, <i>even</i>
sixteen souls.   19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph,
and Benjamin.   20 And unto Joseph in

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the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the
daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.   21 And
the sons of Benjamin <i>were</i> Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel,
Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
  22 These <i>are</i> the sons of Rachel, which were born to
Jacob: all the souls <i>were</i> fourteen.   23 And the sons
of Dan; Hushim.   24 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and
Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.   25 These <i>are</i> the sons
of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare
these unto Jacob: all the souls <i>were</i> seven.   26 All
the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his
loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls <i>were</i>
threescore and six;   27 And the sons of Joseph, which were
born him in Egypt, <i>were</i> two souls: all the souls of the
house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, <i>were</i> threescore and
ten.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p10">Old Jacob is here flitting. Little did he
think of ever leaving Canaan; he expected, no doubt, <i>to die in
his nest,</i> and to leave his seed in actual possession of the
promised land: but Providence orders it otherwise. Note, Those that
think themselves well settled may yet be unsettled in a little
time. Even old people, who think of no other removal than that to
the grave (which Jacob had much upon his heart, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.37.35 Bible:Gen.42.38" parsed="|Gen|37|35|0|0;|Gen|42|38|0|0" passage="Ge 37:35,42:38">ch. xxxvii. 35; xlii. 38</scripRef>), sometimes
live to see great changes in their family. It is good to be ready,
not only for the grave, but for whatever may happen betwixt us and
the grave. Observe, 1. How Jacob was conveyed; not in a chariot,
though chariots were then used, but in a waggon, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.5" parsed="|Gen|46|5|0|0" passage="Ge 46:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Jacob had the character of a
plain man, who did not affect any thing stately or magnificent; his
son rode in a chariot (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.41.43" parsed="|Gen|41|43|0|0" passage="Ge 41:43"><i>ch.</i> xli.
43</scripRef>), but a waggon would serve him. 2. The removal of
what he had with him. (1.) His effects (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.6" parsed="|Gen|46|6|0|0" passage="Ge 46:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), <i>cattle and goods;</i> these
he took with him that he might not wholly be beholden to Pharaoh
for a livelihood, and that it might not afterwards be said of them,
"that they came beggars to Egypt." (2.) His family, <i>all his
seed,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.7" parsed="|Gen|46|7|0|0" passage="Ge 46:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. It is
probable that they had continued to live together in common with
their father; and therefore when he went they all went, which
perhaps they were the more willing to do, because, though they had
heard that the land of Canaan was promised them, yet, to this day,
they had none of it in possession. We have here a particular
account of the names of Jacob's family, <i>his sons' sons,</i> most
of whom are afterwards mentioned as heads of houses in the several
tribes. See <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.26.5-Num.26.65" parsed="|Num|26|5|26|65" passage="Nu 26:5-65">Num. xxvi. 5</scripRef>,
&amp;c. Bishop Patrick observes that Issachar called his eldest son
<i>Tola,</i> which signifies a <i>worm,</i> probably because when
he was born he was a very little weak child, a worm, and no man,
not likely to live; and yet there sprang from him a very numerous
offspring, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.7.2" parsed="|1Chr|7|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 7:2">1 Chron. vii. 2</scripRef>.
Note, Living and dying do not go by probability. The whole number
that went down into Egypt was sixty-six (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.26" parsed="|Gen|46|26|0|0" passage="Ge 46:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>), to which add Joseph and his
two sons, who were there before, and Jacob himself, the head of the
family, and you have the number of seventy, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.27" parsed="|Gen|46|27|0|0" passage="Ge 46:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. The LXX. makes them
seventy-five, and Stephen follows them (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.14" parsed="|Acts|7|14|0|0" passage="Ac 7:14">Acts vii. 14</scripRef>), the reason of which we leave to
the conjecture of the critics; but let us observe, [1.] Masters of
families ought to take care of all under their charge, and to
provide for those of their own house food convenient both for body
and soul. When Jacob himself removed to a land of plenty, he would
not leave any of his children behind him to starve in a barren
land. [2.] Though the accomplishment of promises is always sure,
yet it is often slow. It was now 215 years since God had promised
Abraham to make of him a great nation (<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.2" parsed="|Gen|12|2|0|0" passage="Ge 12:2"><i>ch.</i> xii. 2</scripRef>); and yet that branch of his
seed on which the promise was entailed had increased only to
seventy, of which this particular account is kept, that the power
of God in multiplying these seventy to so vast a multitude, even in
Egypt, may appear the more illustrious. When God pleases, <i>a
little one shall become a thousand,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:Isa.60.22" parsed="|Isa|60|22|0|0" passage="Isa 60:22">Isa. lx. 22</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xlvii-p10.13" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.28-Gen.46.34" parsed="|Gen|46|28|46|34" passage="Ge 46:28-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.46.28-Gen.46.34">
<h4 id="Gen.xlvii-p10.14">Meeting between Jacob and
Joseph. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xlvii-p10.15">b. c.</span> 1706.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xlvii-p11">28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to
direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
  29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet
Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and
he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.   30
And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy
face, because thou <i>art</i> yet alive.   31 And Joseph said
unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and
show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house,
which <i>were</i> in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;  
32 And the men <i>are</i> shepherds, for their trade hath been to
feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds,
and all that they have.   33 And it shall come to pass, when
Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What <i>is</i> your
occupation?   34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath
been

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about cattle from our youth even until
now, both we, <i>and</i> also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the
land of Goshen; for every shepherd <i>is</i> an abomination unto
the Egyptians.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p12">We have here, I. The joyful meeting between
Jacob and his son Joseph, in which observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p13">1. Jacob's prudence in sending Judah before
him to Joseph, to give him notice of his arrival in Goshen. This
was a piece of respect owing to the government, under the
protection of which these strangers had come to put themselves,
<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.28" parsed="|Gen|46|28|0|0" passage="Ge 46:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. We should be
very careful not to give offence to any, especially not to the
higher powers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p14">2. Joseph's filial respect to him. He went
in his chariot to met him, and, in the interview, showed, (1.) How
much he honoured him: <i>He presented himself unto him.</i> Note,
It is the duty of children to reverence their parents, yea, though
Providence, as to outward condition, has advanced them above their
parents. (2.) How much he loved him. Time did not wear out the
sense of his obligations, but his tears which he shed abundantly
upon his father's neck, for joy to see him, were real indications
of the sincere and strong affection he had for him. See how near
sorrow and joy are to each other in this world, when tears serve
for the expression of both. In the other world weeping will be
restrained to sorrow only; in heaven there is perfect joy, but no
tears of joy: all tears, even those, shall there be wiped away,
because the joys there are, as no joys are here, without any alloy.
When Joseph embraced Benjamin he <i>wept upon his neck,</i> but
when he embraced his father he <i>wept upon his neck a good
while;</i> his brother Benjamin was dear, but his father Jacob must
be dearer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p15">3. Jacob's great satisfaction in this
meeting: <i>Now let me die,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.30" parsed="|Gen|46|30|0|0" passage="Ge 46:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. Not but that it was further
desirable to live with Joseph, and to see his honour and
usefulness; but he had so much pleasure and satisfaction in this
first meeting that he thought it too much to desire or expect any
more in this world, where our comforts must always be imperfect.
Jacob wished to die immediately, and lived seventeen years longer,
which, as our lives go now, is a considerable part of a man's age.
Note, Death will not always come just when we call for it, whether
in a passion of sorrow or in a passion of joy. Our times are in
God's hand, and not in our own; we must die just when God pleases,
and not either just when we are surfeited with the pleasures of
life or just when we are overwhelmed with its griefs.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xlvii-p16">II. Joseph's prudent care concerning his
brethren's settlement. It was justice to Pharaoh to let him know
that such a colony had come to settle in his dominions. Note, If
others repose a confidence in us, we must not be so base and
disingenuous as to abuse it by imposing upon them. If Jacob and his
family should come to be a charge to the Egyptians, yet it should
never be said that they came among them clandestinely and by
stealth. Thus Joseph took care to pay his respects to Pharaoh,
<scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.31" parsed="|Gen|46|31|0|0" passage="Ge 46:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. But how shall
he dispose of his brethren? Time was when they were contriving to
get rid of him; now he is contriving to settle them to their
satisfaction and advantage: this is rendering good for evil. Now,
1. He would have them to live by themselves, separate as much as
might be from the Egyptians, <i>in the land of Goshen,</i> which
lay nearest to Canaan, and which perhaps was more thinly peopled by
the Egyptians, and well furnished with pastures for cattle. He
desired they might live separately, that they might be in the less
danger both of being infected by the vices of the Egyptians and of
being insulted by the malice of the Egyptians. Shepherds, it seems,
<i>were an abomination to the Egyptians,</i> that is, they looked
upon them with contempt, and scorned to converse with them; and he
would not send for his brethren to Egypt to be trampled upon. And
yet, 2. He would have them to continue shepherds, and not to be
ashamed to own that as their occupation before Pharaoh. He could
have employed them under himself in the corn-trade, or perhaps, by
his interest in the king, might have procured places for them at
court or in the army, and some of them, at least, were deserving
enough; but such preferments would have exposed them to the envy of
the Egyptians, and would have tempted them to forget Canaan and the
promise made unto their fathers; therefore he contrives to continue
them in their old employment. Note, (1.) An honest calling is no
disparagement, nor ought we to account it so either in ourselves or
in our relations, but rather reckon it a shame to be idle, or to
have nothing to do. (2.) It is generally best for people to abide
in the callings that they have been bred to, and used to, <scripRef id="Gen.xlvii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.7.24" parsed="|1Cor|7|24|0|0" passage="1Co 7:24">1 Cor. vii. 24</scripRef>. Whatever employment
or condition God, in his providence, has allotted for us, let us
accommodate ourselves to it, and satisfy ourselves with it, and
<i>not mind high things.</i> It is better to be the credit of a
mean post than the shame of a high one.</p>
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