An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 43
CHAP. XLIII.
Herein we have declared, the carriage of Joseph to his brethren at their second comming into Egypt, two generall heads take up the whole Chapter.
1. Iacobs sons second arivall at Egypt. Ver. 1. to 15.
2. Josephs entertainment of them. Ver. 16. to 34.
In the former three particulars occurre.
1. The occasion of it. Ver. 1.
2. The cause of it. Iacobs motion to them. Ver. 2. to. 14.
3. The obedience of his sons. Ver. 15.
1. To the first. The occasion was the pressing famine, or hunger biting them.
Ver. 1.Ver. 1. And the famine was grievous in the land. — Prevailed over the land. Sept. and Cald. Herein note.
1. The term of connection is observable, which joineth this, immediatly to Iacobs former resolution, My son shall not go down, then Iacob had some bread in the house, but shortly that is gone, & God continueth heavily upon them the plague of famine which maketh Iacob more yeelding then he was.
2. The matter connected, there was a grievous famine in the land; or the famine ptevailed and grew strong in the land of Canaan, where Iacob lived; so God ordered it for his own ends.
We observe.
D. 1. Saints resolutions when cross to Gods providence, usually continueth pressures to make them yeeld to him.
D. 2. Grievous famine, under Gods wise providence, may prevaile in the place and habitation of his Saints. Ver. 2.
To the second. This declare's the cause of their going, Iacobs will for it, wherein are these particulars.
1. Iacobs motion to his sons. Ver. 2.
2. Iudahs exception unto it. Ver. 3.4.5.
3. Iacobs passionate demurre upon it. Ver. 6,
4. His Sons reply to remove it. Ver. 7.
5. Iudahs undertaking with his Father. Ver. 8.9.10.
6. Iacobs consent, counsail, and prayer. Ver. 11.12.13.14.
7. His sons obedience. Ver. 15.
1. Iacobs motion to his sons, is the cause of their second journy: herein note.
Ver. 2.1. The cause impulsive, And it was when they had finished to eat the corn which they brought out of Egypt. Sept. and Cald. same. Wherein is declared.
1. That the bread corn was now spent.
2. That hunger began to pinch them and old Iacob.
3. That Egypt had corn and must supply them, there was no other place for it.
2. The cause preceptive, Then their Father said unto them returne, buy for us a little food, Cald. same. — Go again, Sept.
2. The commander is the father, he is forced now to speak to them again.
2. His command is to take another journy to Egypt, and buy a little bread for food, this puts them on it.
It learneth us.
D. 1. Eating will empty the barn, the store of bread will consume, so it did here.
D. 2. Renewing the store of bread, as it is Gods blessing, so it should be mans providence.
D. 3. Hunger pinching will egge the best fathers, to move their children to get supply.
D. 4. A little bread is sweet and desirable to hungry soules. A little food.
D. 5. Good souls desire their necessities to be supplyed justly. Buy for us. Ver. 2.
Secondly. Judahs exception followeth. Wherein note.
1. His declaration, And Judah spake unto him, saying, — protesting, the man did protest unto us saying, ye shall not see my face without your brother with you, Cald. same, — With a testimony testified, Your younger brother, &c. Sept. Wherein note.
1. The party declaring, Iudah, the fourth Brother. Why he? Surely Reuben had failed before, Simeon was not there, Levi not altogether so accepted of his father; now Iudah the fourth brother, having more grace with his father, undertakes the parly with him about going again to Egypt.
2. The time and season of it; now when necessity was urgent, and thereby his father was more inclined to it.
3. The declaration of the matter that was their stop, wherein he sheweth.
1. The solemnity of the Lord of Egypts charge to them, protesting he protested, which is supposed to be the meaning of his oath; that they were spyes, unles they brought their brother.
2. The matter protested, ye shall not see my face without your br…ther, That, is not his face in favour, for they were threatned as spyes, and threatned with death if found so, so that the matter is not misreported, for though the same words be not in the former chapter, yet the expressions are equivalent. Ver. 3.Ver. 3.
2. His condition proposed for going again to Egypt, If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down, and buy food for thee. Sept. and Cald. same. Herein are.
1. A condition of Iacobs sending Benjamin, which was necessary, both for saving their own lives, and for getting food; for without this, neither could be hoped for.
2. An obligation of duty, then will we go down and buy food for the…; he commanded to buy for us, even all the family: here Iudah answers with respect to him; food for thee; father for children, and they for father, expresse mutual ca… Ver. 4.Ver. 4.
3. His exception,Ver. 5. but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, ye shall not see my face without your brother with you. — Sept. and Cald. same. Herein we have.
1. His supposition, If thou wilt not send him.
2. His exception hereupon, We will not go down.
3. His reason repeated, The man said unto us, ye shall not see my face, &c. Ver. 5.
Observe we.
D. 1. To bring hard things about, against mans resolution, there needs a Mediator, who is in favour, Judah.
D. 2. Its best pressing displeasing arguments to flesh, when necessity, back's them.
D. 3. Solemne protestations and oaths, foreboding danger, may well make men feare them.
D. 4. Conditions of saving life and obtaining favour, required by forreign powers, are reasonably …e be performed. Ver. 3.
D. 5. In performance of conditions, soules may be, and ought to be ready to obedience.
D. 6. Children should take care to feed their parents, as they have done for them. Ver. 4.
D. 7. Where conditions cannot be performed, it is unreasonable to adventure life, and just to deny it.
D. 8. It is no disobedience to deny parents commands as to impossibilities.
D. 9 Sufficient reason must be rendred, humbly, though plainly, for denying parents commands. Ver. 5.
3. Iacobs passionat demurre, or complaint of his sons,Ver. 6. by way of expostulation, And Israel said, wherefore did ye evil to mee to tell the man, whether yet, ye had a brother, Sept. and Cald. same. Wherein we have to observe.
1. The plaintiffe, good old Jacob, tender of his Benjamin, and suspicious of his other Son.
2, The parties complained of, his other Sons who were in Egypt, Whom he thought to have as ill will to Benjamin, as they had to Joseph.
3. The complaint, that they had done ill to him, and affl cted him in revealing their brother, who was left at home, and so giving an occasion of this calling him a way, poor Jacob chargeth here every one that he suspects, and at present considered not Gods providence in it.
It teacheth us.
D. 1. Gracious men when necessitated by providence to affliction, are ready to blame others for it.
D. 2. Good men may complain of bad children somtimes causelesly for afflicting them.
D. 3. Providence somtimes orders the telling of the truth, to be a temptation and affliction unto his. Ver. 6.
4. The reply of Jacobs Sons by way of defence,Ver. 7. And they said the man asking asked of us, & of our kindred, saying, is your father yet a live, have ye a brother? and we told him according to the mouth. — (or expression) of these words, did we knowing know — or could we, that he would say, bring your brother down? Sept and Cald. To the same; foreign Herein we may observe.
1. The defendants, Jacobs Sons jointly, at least all consenting to what one said.
2. Their defence itself, which consists in a report.
1. Of the mans strict inquiry of their kinred, father and brothers, asking he asked, that is narrowly and straitly inquired.
2. Of their plain down-right answear according to the truth, that, they had a brother, &c.
3. Of their ignorance of the event that followed; could we know? that is we could not know that hereupon he would require us to bring down our brother to him.
Learn thence.
D. 1. It is just and reasonable to make a true defence against hasty charges.
D. 2. Exactions and inquiries of rulers, as they must be answered, so may they put upon trialls the answerers.
D. 3. Plain and true answers, however a duty, yet may be an occasion of snares to others.
D. 4. Ignorance of events which are in Gods hand, may well excuse from guilt of any evil following. Ver. 7.
Fifthly, Judahs undertaking with his father followeth, herein we have also to observe.
1. His demand of his father, And Judah said to Israel his father, send the young man with me. — Sept. and Cald. same: in executing his fathers desire, he again makes his demand.
2. His promise unto his father, And we will arise and go, that is, to Egypt according to Jacobs desire.
1. Obedience promised.
2. The end of it. Life. That we may live and not dye, both we and thou, and also our little ones, That is by getting bread for us. Ver. 8. foreign.
3. His undertaking for Benjamin.
1. By suretiship, I will be surety for him. — I undertake him, Sept. — I take him into my trust. Cald. Much doth Iudah undertake for him.
2. By ingagement, Of my hand shalt thou require him, Sept. and Cald. same. I will singly take the charge and be accountable.
3. By submission unto a penalty upon default, & that was grievous, If I do not bring him unto thee, and set him before thee, then will I be a sinner to thee all dayes. Sep. and Cald. same. That is, let me be accounted with thee an offender, and guilty of the loss of thy son, and bear thine indignation due unto it for ever. So ours, Let me bear the blame. Ver. 9.Ver. 9.
4. His pressing reason, from the benefit which might have bin in a second return, if this stop had not bin made, and the danger of the delay; For except we had lingred. Surely now we had returned these two times, Sept. and Cald. same. Wherein.
1. He supposeth this deniall of Benjamin had delayed them from a double market.
2. He presseth, as implied, therefore was it not good to delay any longer unles they meant to perish, Ver. 10.Ver. 10.
Quest. Did Iudah well in his undertaking this of Benjamin?
Answer. 1. It was well to offer his trust and fidelity unto his father, as to such a charge. 2. With condition of Gods gracious help, he might become a surety. 3. But if Iudah missed in this, his undertaking was rash and sinful, which yet may charitably be conceived, it was not.
Quest. Why is Benjamin called a lad, being now about thirty year's of age, and hut seven years-yonger then Ioseph?
Answ. 1. He was the yongest. 2. The word doth not bind him to the age of a child, but noteth one in strength of youth; so we may read it here. A young man, so are they of thirty and upward.
Observe we thence.
D. 1. Reasonable demands may be made of children to parents for reasonable duties.
D. 2. Demands being granted, children should be ready to pay obedience to their parents.
D. 3. Life of persons, relations. and families is an effectuall motive to bestirre ourselves for food for them. Ver. 8.
D. 4. With dependance upon God in lawfull wayes men may be sureties unto men.
D. 5. VnderUnder Gods assurance men may undertake for that which is not in their power.
D. 6. Men may engage themselves under penalties to undertakings, wherein they reasonably hope for the concurrence of God with them.
D. 7. Rash suretieship and ingagement for others is sinfull. Ver. 9.
D. 8. Providence order's delayes somtimes to the further tryalls of his.
D. 9. Sense of prejudice by delayes, quickens soules up unto a seasonable dispatch of their duty. Ver. 10.
6. Iacobs concurrence after all this followeth, in which note.
1. First, his supposition to them,Ver. 12. And Israel their father said unto them, if so now, Sept, if it be so, call if it must. Wherein.
1. He supposeth, Gods hand was in the matter to make this necessity. If it be so, and must be so.
2. He sheweth himself hereupon yeelding, as if he had said, I cannot resist his will, I must grant when God will have it so.
2. His advice in three things.
1. To carry a present unto the Lord of Egypt, Do this, take of the singing of the land, praisworthy fruits in your vessells, and carry down the man a minca or pacifying gift, or present, a little balm, & a little hony, spices, and myrrhe, teberinth, nuts, & almonds, Sep. & Cal. to the same purpose, so he labours to mollify the man, as he did to Esau, V. 11.
2. To carry double mony in it.
1. His advise in this, And double mony take in your hand, and the mony brought backe in the mouth of your sacks carry again in your hands, Sept. and Cald. same, here he would have them just in all their dealings where might be a shew of wrong.
2. The reason of his advise, peradventure it was error or mistake. — foreign. Sept. — It was done by an oversight, Cald. so it was with Iacob, he was afraid to gain by other mens mistakes. ver. 12. Thirdly to take their brother Benjamin, and be gone, And take your brother and arise, go again unto the man, Sept. and Cald. same. So he yeelds to providence at last, take Benjamin with you, and go together. Vers. 13.Ver. 13.
3. His prayer wherewith he sends them: And God almighty grant you mercy before the man, and let him send backe with you your other brother and Benjamin, and I as I have bin bereaved of my Children, I am bereaved, or i… I am, I am, — Give you grace or favour before the man, as I have bin made childless, I am, Sept. as I am deprived, I will be, &c. Cald. herein.
I. His petition is full of faith.
1. Commending them to a sure keeper, even almighty God.
2. From him he begs mercies for them by the man.
3. He prayeth their safe return together.
II. His resolution, if it come to the worst, he is resolved patiently to abide Gods will, if he should strip him of all, such is the force of the expression in the text. Esther. 4.16. Ver. 14.Ver. 14.
Learn thence.
D. 1. Necessity imposed by providence, makes saints change their wils into Gods.
D. 2. It is not unbeseeming saints to pacify the powers they fear, with a present.
D. 3. Little of good things may make a great present in times of famine.
D. 4. Liberal spirits spare a little of a little, Ver. 11.
D. 5. Gracious soules desire to be righteous in all dealings with men and give over-plus.
D. 6. Good hearts are afraid to gain by the mistakes of others. Ver. 12.
D. 7. When God will have mens darlings, gracious hearts will part with them.
D. 8. Good fathers are ready to dismiss their children into any dangers on Gods call. Ver. 13.
D. 9. Its the care of godly parents to commit children to almighty God to keep them.
D. 10. God almighty hath the hearts of all powers to dispose at his will.
D. 11. God almighty can set free and return all committed to him from danger.
D. 12. Gracious hearts whether God deliver or not, resolve to sit down quiet with his will. Ver. 14.
D. 13. Prayer prosper's all affairs.
D. 14. Affection to Children is a duty.
7. Obedience of Jacobs sons finisheth the first general head of this Chapter.
1. In taking according to their fathers advice, And the men took the present and they took double mony in their hand, and Benjamin, Sept. and Cald. same. Here is obedience in taking.
2. In moving and going, And they arose and went down to Egypt. Sept. and Cald. same. Herein they yeeld to their fathers command.
3. In their arrival, And they stood before Ioseph, Sept. and Cald. same. That is they presented themselves unto him to appear before him. Ver. 15.Ver. 15.
It teacheth us.
D. 1. Filial obedience is seen in receiving from parents what they advise.
D. 2. Filial duty must be seen in acting and moving according to command.
D. 3. VnderUnder providence children may stand safe, where danger was feared.
D. 4. Where faith is kept, there is no danger to appear before threatning powers. Ver. 15.
2. Now followeth the second general of the Chapter, containing the history of Iosephs entertainment of his brethren, wherein.
1. Josephs order to his steward about them with passages concurring. Ver. 16. to 25.
2. Josephs carriage toward them, Ver. 26. to 34.
In the first of these occurre these particulars.
1. The occasion of his order,Ver. 16. And Joseph saw Benjamin with them. Cald. same. Sep. adde foreign. No difficulty in the words.
Quest. 1. If it be inquired where he saw them.
Answ. It is likely in the market and publique place where he attended on his office, for he was not now at his house.
Quest. 2. If it be inquired, how he knew Benjamin?
Answ. It is to be presumed not by face, as he knew the rest, because he was so little, when Joseph left his fathers house, but seeing him with them, he conceived it was he, because he charged them to bring him with them, and now having sight of him his brother by father and mother, together with the rest, this occasion's the order following.
2. The order itself, And he said to him that was over his house, bring the men to house, or home, and slay a slaughter and prepare, for the men shall eat with me at noon, the men shall eat bread with me at noon. Sept. — At dinner, Cald. Herein.
1. The subject ordering Joseph.
2. The subject ordered, his steward, privatly.
3. The order itself in three things.
1. To carry them to his house for entertainment.
2. To kill creatures that were for food, and fitt them for use.
3. To prepare plentifully for such a company, and the rest that were at Josephs table, and kept by him.
4. The reason of all Josephs affectionat and brotherly resolution, that they should eat or dine with him at noon: the entertainment is a dinner or feast of fat things: the time at noone, after the mornings work was done, eating after labouring. Ver. 16.
Observe we.
D. 1. Sight of conditions performed, and of things desired move men to greater kindness.
D. 2. Brotherly bowells in good men though somtimes concealed yet break out at last.
D. 3. House, and best provisions are sutable to brotherly entertainment.
D. 4. Good men in power may give order to others for shewing good to brethren, unknown to them.
D. 5. Good rulers are for labours in the morning, and food at noon. Eccles. 10.16.
D. 6. After duties done it is meet to refresh mens selves with their friends. Ver. 16.
2. The execution of the order followed, where we have declared.
1. The stewards action in general,Ver. 17. And the man did as Joseph had said, and the man brought the men to Josephs house, Sept. and Cald. same. In these is no difficulty, onelyonly in general is that here related which afterward is more punctually expressed, about his dealing with them.
3. In the way of executing this order here is recorded a passage between Josephs brethren, and his steward, wherein note.
1. Upon their part is declared.
1. Their passion misapprehended,Ver. 18. And the men feared because they were brought into Josephs house. Cald. same. — The men seeing that they were brought, &c. said, &c. Sept. Fear, left out.
1. The passion that ariseth from the guilt of Spirit with misapprehension of the present event, is fear, this is incident to soules suspicious of danger.
The present motive was their being brought to Josephs house which they looked on as their prison.
2. Their communication among themselves, which discovers their causeless jealousies, though they knew themselves innocent, as to what they feared would be charged on them, wherein.
1. They suspect the cause of being brought to the house, And they said for the matter of the mony returned in our bags at the first are we brought in, Sept. and Cald. same. Here innocency is jealous causelesly, to think that a crime which was none.
2. They suspect the end of their comming thither, To rolle himself upon us, & to fall upon us, & to take us for servants & our asses, Sept. foreign — That he may be Lord of us, and seek occasions against us and possess us as servants, &c. here they suspect kindness to be their undoing; the phrase of rolling himself on them, foreignis emphatical, to note oppression, as an huge stone rolling down from a mountain that crusheth all, a like phrase Job useth to shew his oppression from them that scorned. Job. 30.14. So they suspect ruine where safety is intended. Ver. 18.
3. Their expression to the steward, wherein observe.
1. Their addresse unto him,Ver. 19. And they came neer unto the man, which was over Iosephs house, and they spake unto him at the door of the house, Sept. and Cald. same. All this is plain to be acted before they entred into Iosephs house, that they came to the man and bespoke him to prevent danger, and avoid a suspected charge.
2. Their speech unto him, whereof note.
1. The manner expressed in the person of one for all, And they said, to me my Lord. Ver. 20.— It is elliptical, Attend to me my Lord. — foreign. We intreat thee Sir to hear us. Cald. (1.) It is humble. (2.) It is distracted with fear being a defective speech. Ver. 20.
2. The matter of it, which declares.
1. The end of their first comming to Egypt to buy corn, Ver. 20. at first or one…y. (2) The event in the way, And it was as we came to the inne and opened our baggs, that behold every mans money was in th… mouth of his bagge, Sept. and Cald. to same. This was opened before, and the scruple answered, how it is said, we opened, when before it is said but one opened his sacke at the inne, the rest at home. In joynt actions, what one doth may be said of all, as here but one speaketh, and yet we read they said. (3… Their uprightness in bringing it again, And we have brought it again in our hand: or returned again in our hands, Sept. and Cald. V. 21.Ver. 21. Their justice also in dealing, because they brought other money with them to buy food. (4.) They plead their ignorance and innocency as to that first, — We know not who put our mony in our baggs. Septuag. and Cald. same. All this they speak at the door in their own defence. Ver. 22.Ver. 22. (2.) The reply of the steward (upon his part) to them, which was better than they expected.
1. In word, which is full of goodnes.
1. He salutes them kindly — And he said peace be to you, fear not. Sept. & Cald. same. he quiet's and secureth their spirits much beyond their thoughts, (2.) He mind's them of the author o… that mercy, Your God and the God of your fathers hath given you treasure in your sacks, Sept. and Cald. same, (1.) This supposeth Iosephs steward to be instructed in the true God, and conformed to the faith of him. I… question be how he could speak that of God which he did; it is clear God was the first mover, Ioseph and he but instruments
3. He acknowledgeth himself to have had their mony, and the disposal of it, Your mony came to me. Cald. same▪ your silver I had well approved. Sept. so that you need not trouble yourselves about it. There is no danger unto you in this.
2. Indeed he returneth kindly to them.
1. In bringing Simeon to them, And he brought forth Simeon unto them. V. 23. Sept. and Cald. same. This was a token of grace in delivering up their imprisoned brother. Ver. 23.Ver. 23.
Ver. 24.2. In leading them into Iosephs house, And he brought, &c. Cald. same. Sept.
3. By giving them water, And he gave them water, and they washed their feet. Cald. same. — And he brought them water to wash their feet, Sept. This was the first peice of good entertainment, where men travelled almost bare-footed, it was for cleansing and refreshing.
4. By feeding their beasts, And he gave provender to their asses, Sept. and Cald. same by all which they might now be secured against their feare, that no hurt was intended to them but kindness from his Lord.
4. The preparation of the present by Iacobs sons. Ver: 24. And they prepared the present against Ioseph came home at noone, for they heard that they should eat bread there. Cald. same. — That they should dine there, Sept.
1. Their work, making ready the present of balm, &c to offer to Ioseph.
3. The reason; the good new's they heard that they were to dine with him; and therefore had now encouragement to bring their present chearfully. Ver. 25.Ver. 25.
It Learneth us.
D. 1. Just orders are readily entertained by honest servants from their masters. Ver. 17.
D. 2. The house of kindness may somtimes terrify soules as the house of dangers.
D. 3. Innocency itself may be suspicious of wrong charges, to raise up fear
D. 4. Groundless jealousies, pretend dangers where none are. Ver 18.
D. 5. Wisdom suggest's unto innocency a fair defence to prevent danger. Ver. 19.
D. 6. Innocencies plain acknowledgment of its designes, is its best apologie. Ver. 20.
D. 7. Declaration of events of providence as they are, tends to justify the innocent.
D. 8. Where providence orders good, soules may make question of receiving or keeping it. Ver. 21.
D. 9. Just soules will deal justly in dealing with others about buying, &c.
D. 10. Innocency may plead ignorance of the fact of sin plainly, being not guilty. Ver. 22.
D. 11. Vpright hearts in power will speak peace and incouragement to fearful Spirits.
D. 12. Good hearts teach to ascribe all good providences unto God in Covenant.
D. 13. Just men will own their acts to discharge the innocent. So the steward.
D. 14. Conditions being performed hostages must be in justice returned. Ver. 23.
D. 15. Good hospitality will labour to afford roome and all convenient refreshings to its guests.
D. 16. Hospitality in truth, provides for beasts as well as men. Ver. 24.
D. 17. Prudence will put men upon care to prepare a present for rulers in time of danger.
D. 18. Courtesy from hosts gives opportunity for guests to expresse their returns.
D. 19. Noone refreshments are sutable to mornings labours.
D. 20. Good rulers are careful first to work and then to eat. Ver. 25.
2. After the stewards kindness shewed them, by order, now followeth Iosephs deportment toward them in his own person, whereabout are declared.
1. Their addresse to him at his return. Ver. 26.
2. His salutation of them and inquiry.
1. Of their own wellfare.
2. Of their father with their reply. Ver. 27.28.
3. Of their youngest brother. Ver. 29. His tender compassion toward them, Ver. 30.
4. His entertainment of them. Ver. 31. to 34.
5. His dismission of them. Chap. 44.
1. About their addresse unto him, we have to note.
1. Josephs comming home at noone, And Joseph came home. Ver. 26.Entred into his house, Sept. and Cald. That is at noon, his morning affairs being dispatched. (2.) Their addresse with the manner of it twofold. (1) With the present, And they brought to him the present which was in their hand into the house, Sept. and Cald. same. of that we read before. 2. with humble prostration, And bowed themselves unto him to the earth, Sept. and Cald. same, it notes humble addresse and homage; herein the dream of the eleaven starres bowing to him was fulfilled. Gen. 37.9.
Note we thence
D. 1. After labours times of retireing and refreshing are requisit as allowed.
D. 2. Presents and prostration civill, may be used to gain the rulers favour in some cases.
D. 3. Providence ordereth those men to fulfill his purpose, who are most against it. Ver. 26.
2. His salutation followeth, wherein he inquir'es.
1. Of their own condition, And he asked them of their peace. He asked them how do ye? Sept. And he saluted them, Cald, some read the word, — Adverbially, he asked them peaceably, in opposition to his former carriage, then he spake roughly to them, the scope is the same, he first salute's them with words of peace, inquiring of their peace or welfare.
2. Of their fathers health, wherein we read, (first) his question, And he said, is it peace to your father, the old man of whom ye spake? is he yet alive? Cald. same.— Is your father well, &c. Sept. herein he kindly treats them about their father desiring to hear of his life and peace, all which speaks good to them. Ver. 27.Ver. 27.
2. Their answear, whereof we have noted.
1. The matter of it, And they said peace is to thy servant our father, he is yet alive. Cald. fame. — Thy servant our father is in health, Sept. They adde moreover a reply from Ioseph not in the original, Blessed be that man with good. In their answear they reply punctually to his question about their father, wherein is no difficulty, but by them the sun, boweth to Ioseph.
2. The manner, with all humility as before, And they bended the head, and bowed themselves down. — Bowing down they Worshipped, Sept. & Cald. Herein still is the accomplishment of Iosephs dreams though they little thought so. Ver. 28.Ver. 28.
3. Of their yonger brother he inquires, wherein note.
1. His observance of him,Ver. 2…▪ And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother, his mothers son. Cald. same. — foreign Sept. Herein the words are plain, having inquired of their father, now he take's notice of his brother who was with them.
2. His inquiry about him, And he said, is this your yonger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? Cald. same. — Whom ye said, ye would bring unto me, Sept. These words are plain, to which also doubtless they gave an answear, that it was he, however not here related.
3. His blessing on him, Elohim, &c. And he said God be gracious to thee my son. Be merciful, Sept, and Cald. In all this passage Joseph doubtless spake by an interpreter to conceal himself, in this last, ye have.
1. His compellation, my Son, as became a ruler though he were a brother.
2. His benediction, God be gracious to thee, a greater blessing could he not desire, then the free grace and favour of God unto him.
Observe we.
D. 1. Gracious hearts, however somtime they may deal severely, yet they desire their peace.
D. 2. Providence somtimes orders peaceable entertainment, where worse is feared.
D. 3. Nature it self, much more grace inquires of and desire's the peace of parents. He asked of their father, and meaneth his own, V. 27.
D. 4. It is equal that peaceable inquiries should have due answeares.
D. 5. In answering for others, providence orders the accomplishment of his will, The sun bows, &c.
D. 6. All humility becomes their answers who are in fear of forreign powers Ver. 28.
D. 7. Sight of neer relations, moveth to inquire of their condition.
D. 8. Natural affection desires to know its neer relations for good.
D. 9. Grace puts soules upon blessing relations as well as knowing them.
D. 10 The best blessing is the grace of God procured upon soules.
D. 11. Brethren may be fathers in blessing the fruit of the same womb. Ver. 29.
3. After this salutation followeth the expression of his bowels, and compassion toward them,Ver. 30. And Joseph hasted, for his bowels did yearn upon his brother, and he sought to weep, and he entred into a chamber, and wept there. Joseph was troubled, for his inwards were turned upon his brother, &c. Sept. — Bowells were mooved, Cald. burned, Heb.
1. His speed to be gon.
2. The reason, the burning of his bowels.
3. The end it was to weep, and unburden nature;
4. The work, he went privatly to his chamber, and wept there.
Quest. 1. Was this onelyonly toward Benjamin?
Answer. 1. Especially his bowels might be moved about him, he being of the same womb with him. 2. Yet his bowels wrought toward the rest as we find afterward, he wept upon them.
Quest. 2. Was this the fruit of nature▪ or grace?
Answer. 1. Nature doubtless yeelded the matter of these tears. 2. Grace might form and regulate them.
We Learn from it.
D. 1. Natural affection may speed to vent itself, after gracious benediction.
D. 2. Natural bowels may burn in gracious souls to their relations.
D. 3. Gracious wisdom teacheth to seek time, place, and measure of expressing affection to relations.
D. 4. Secret venting of affections is best at some opportunities. V. 30.
4. The last thing is Josephs entertainment, in relating whereof we have to note.
1. His casting of his passion, And he washed his face, and wen… out, and restrained himself, viol…ntly h…ld himself, Sept. and Cald. same.
1. He washeth away tears.
2. He goeth forth as before.
3. He command's his passion.
2. His command to furnish the tables, And he said set on bread, Sept. and Cald. same. This is a Synecdochical expression, bread, for all provisions, as being chief of all, Ver 31.Ver. 31.
3. The obedience given to his command,Ver. 3…▪ whereof. (1) the matter, And they set on, Sept. and Cald. same. that is, bread and provisions made. (2) The order of setting down dinner. (1) before him by him…elf as his place was. (2) Before his brethren by themselves on a table. 3. Before the Egyptians, who were invited & entertained by him, by themselves.
3. The reason of the order, because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrew's, For that is an abomination to the Eg…ptians. S…pt. same. Because the cattle which the Egyptians worship, the Hebrewes eat. Cald. Herein note (1) The pride, (2) The superstition of a supercilious people which were the true causes of this distance, therefore Moses required liberty to go to the wilderness, that they might not offer that which was an abomination to the Egyptians: yet was it pleasing to God, V. 32.
4. The sitting down of his brethren, wherein.
1. their action. And they sate before him. Ver. 33.Sept. and Cald same. that is according as they were invited, and meat set before them they sat down to eat
2. Their order, the first born according to his birthright, and the yongest according to his youth, Sept. and Cald. same. According to their age every brother took his place.
Quest. Were the handmaids sons now equall.
Answer 1. They were not so formerly with Sarah. 2. So God made now twelve sons Jacobs heirs, 3. This seems to be their course at home and not Josephs ordering, as some.
3. The issue, was a mu…uall kind of wonder.
1. Theirs, happily at Josephs state an entertainment.
2. The Egyptians might wonder at them, but the strange entertainment works extasie among them, Ver. 33.
Ver. 34.5. The distribution he makes to his guests. (1) Generally. And he took up messes from before him, unto them, And they took portions. &c. Sept. That is Josephs servants at his command, and set them before his brethren. — Portions were given to them, &c. Cal. Herein is related his respect unto them all, to send meat from his own table to them, Such was their use, (2) Specially unto Benjamin, And he multiplied the messe of Benjamin above the messes of them all five hands. That is five times more then to any one of them, Benjamins part was greatned five fold, &c. Sept and Cald. Herein natural affection sheweth itself to an whole brother.
6. The acceptance of all, and chearful commerce, And they drank, and largely drank with him. Sept. and Cald. to the same. In summe, they chearfully eat and drunk with him, not to drunkenness, as somtimes the word imports, but to a liberal injoyment of Gods blessings in comfortable communion, Ver. 34.
Quest. Why did he not now reveal himself?
Answ. 1. Gods time was not yet come. 2. His brethren needed some further triall. (3) The issue sheweth it was to no evill end in Joseph.
It instructs us.
D. 1. Grace commands nature from its passions, untill Gods time be come.
D. 2. Nature obeyeth grace, and keeps in itself from dishonoring God.
D. 3. It is the rulers duty to command the table to be spread, and the provisions to be set on. Ver. 31.
D. 4. It is duty for servants to obey their masters at meals, as well as at work.
D. 5. It is comely for Gods servants, to keep that place of honor among men, unto which they are called.
D. 6. Orderly disposition of guests as to their state and quality is commendable.
D. 7. Wicked men lay lawes upon themselves to separate from such as are their betters.
D. 8. That which is good in Gods sight is an abomination to superstious soules. Ver. 32.
D. 9. Strangers invited to a princes table, may justly accept to sit down to eat.
D. 10. In the Church of God civill order is not destroyed by speciall priviledge.
D. 11. Providence ordereth men somtimes to wonder at events, which at present they do not understand Ver. 33.
D. 12. Natures bonds tye men to expresse kindness to natural relations.
D. 13. Nature admits degrees in expression of love according to its neernes, more to some. A Benjamins portion.
D. 14. Plentiful participation of creatures and chearfulness is not unbeseeming Gods people. Ver. 34.
(5) The last thing in Josephs carriage to his brethren at this second comming of theirs, is his courteous dismission of them, with full provisions, and this is reported in the three former verses of the following Chapter.