An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 44
CHAP. XLIV.
Herein, after the last act of Ioseph toward his brethr…n in a loving discharge of them, we have reported, his demeanor to them upon their arrest, which was the third general head noted. Chap. 42.
To dispatch the fifth particular noted, which was his dismission of them, herein note.
1. Iosephs order or command unto his steward, And he commanded him that was over his house. — Ioseph commanded, Sept. — The steward of his house. Cald. Wherein note.
1. The authority ordering, Ioseph.
2. The minister ordered, the steward.
3. The manner of ordering by word of mouth.
4. The matter ordered, in three particulars.
1. Fill the mens baggs with food according to what they can carry, Sept. — Fill ye with corn. — Cald. As much as they can bear.
2. And put the money of every one in the mouth of his sacke. — Cast ye in, Sept. — Cald. same. In both these, liberality and brotherly kindness are expressed. Ver. 1.
Ver. 2.3. And my cup, the cup of silver, put in the sacks mouth o… the yongest and his corn money or silver, Sept. and Cald. to the same.
This was a trying command, as it came from Iosephs brest; the steward might not know at present his Lords mind, whither it were to give it Benjamin or not; but so it was ordered.
2. The stewards obedience, And he did according to the word of Ioseph, which he had spoken, Cald. same. — It was done, &c. Sept. Herein the punctuall observation of orders from superiors is eminently set forth; he perform's every thing as Joseph spake it, Ver. 2.
Ver. 3.3. The dismission of Jacobs sons, the morning was light, and the men were sent away, they and their asses, Sept. and Cald. to same.
1. The time noted, at break of day, so soon as day appeared.
2. The dismission, the men were sent away.
3. Their full discharge, they and their asses, with all their provisions and now doubtless the hearts of the brethren were light, and they begin their return home together chearfully, not dreaming of further stay or trouble.
Quest. Was this act of Joseph good, to order the cup to be an evidence against the innocent.
Answ. 1. That some infirmity might appear in this work is probable.
2. The act for trial, especially when perhaps ordered by God, is not simply evill.
3. The issue prove's, he intended them nothing but good. Ver. 3.
Note we.
D. 1. It beseem's rulers to be expresse in orders to their servants.
D. 2. Grace makes men liberall in dealing with the needy.
D. 3. Brotherly kindness inlargeth hearts much to brethren. Ver. 1.
D. 4. Good men may put such to triall whom they would seem to suspect.
D. 5. All slights are not simply unlawful, but with their circumstances.
D. 6. The tenderest brethren may be tried with dangers without hurt.
D. 7. It is beseeming faithfull servants to observe orders exactly and do them. Ver. 2.
D. 8. The morning light is for mens addresse unto travels.
D. 9. Kindnes dismisseth relations upon occasion, as well as imbraceth them.
D. 10. Innocent men goe on chearfully in their way without fear of evil. Ver. 3.
3 We are now come to the last carriage of Ioseph to his brethren upon their arrest, from Chap. 44. to Chap. 47.12. Wherein.
1. Their arrest, and return to Ioseph, Ver. 4.13.
2. Their humble prostration before him. Ver. 14.17.
3. Iudahs particular intercession. Ver. 18 34.
4. Iosephs manifestation of himself unto them. Chap. 45.1.15.
5. Pharaohs invitation of them to Egypt. Ver. 16.17.18.
6. Iosephs observing Pharaohs order. Ver. 19.…4.
7. Iacobs sons return unto him with his resentment. Ver. 25.28.
8. Iacobs journey into Egypt with all his. Chap. 46.1.28.
9. Iosephs entertainment of them all. Ver. 29.34.
1. His salutation.
2. Iosephs addresse and presenting them to Pharaoh, Chap. 47.1.10.
3. Iosephs continued care of his father. Ver. 11.12.
To the first. In this history of their arrest, we have,
1. Iosephs charge unto his steward to pursue. Ver. 4.5.
2. The stewards execution, of his warrant. Wherein.
1. His speech. Ver. 6.
2. Their answer to him. Ver. 7.8.9.
3. His consent to them. Ver. 10.
4. Their submission to a search. Ver. 11.12.
5. The event seemingly sad. Ver. 13.
1. The charge of Joseph to his steward, where note, (1) the opportunity taken for it, They were gon out of the city, they were not gon farre, Ver. 4.Cald. same. — When they were gon out, they were not far gon. Sept. Here note.
1. The mens orderly departure, (2) their secure posture, they hasted not, but drove on softly.
2. His charge, wherein he injoyneth these things.
1. A present pursuit of them. — Rise up follow after the men, and overtake them, Thou shalt apprehend them. Sept. Cald. same.
1. Speed. 2. pursuit, 3. arrest are commanded.
2. A challenge of them by expostulation. And thou shalt say unto them, wherefore do ye reward evill for good? Sept▪ and Cald. same. This was an heavy charge for all the kindness which the Lord of Egypt shewed them to return nothing but stealth, Ver. 4.
3. The proof of the challenge, that they had taken away Iosephs silver cup, wherein.
Ver. 5.1. The aggravation of the evil that it was Iosephs proper cup, which he used to drink in, Is not this it in which my Lord drinketh? Cald. same. — Why have ye stolen my cup? Sep. add's, what! would nothing content you but this? (2.) The demonstration of it, And divining he would divine about it, — Divination he divineth in it, Sept. — And he seeking hath sought it. Cald. — Much adoe is about this passage; as if Ioseph were turned magician, and used their customs in divining,foreign it is true that the word read divining, hath other significations, as making trial and experience; so some render, and hath not he learned sure experience by it, what kind of men ye are? but because some supply of words must be made, this is rejected by others, let the word go in the worst sence for divining, that is, finding out secrets; no cogent reason is by these words to inferre that Ioseph pretended himself a magician; for if we read divining for prophesying, and give the preposition a fair construction which it may admit; and he, doth he not divining divine upon it, or about it? Not by the cup, nor using the way as south saying as the Egyptians.
For great reason may perswade, he abhorred such wayes, that when all the magicians could not help Pharaoh to understand his dream, and Ioseph did reveal it from God, yet that he should turn to those vain wayes of divination is incredible; it seemeth therefore more likely to truth; that Ioseph had power to discover secrets which is meant by divining, though not in the way of magicians.
Qu. 1. Why then should Joseph give order to his servant to speak so of him?
Answer. 1. The words may bear a better sence. 2. Infirmities might accompany Ioseph in this transaction, and so it is not imitable by any. 3. Uprightness did stir him to seek their good.
3. The charge reiterated, Ye have done evill, what ye have done, Sept. and Cald. to same. So he accused them home, that they were wicked men, and had done wickedly against him. Ver. 5.
Quest. 2. Doth Ioseph well in charging evil on the innocent, is it imitable by us?
Answ. 1. No examples must lead to practice without a command. 2. This was extraordinary. 3. All that is against the law in Ioseph was sin, and not to be followed by us.
Which teacheth us.
D. 1. Providence may order troubles upon the innocent, when they think not of it.
D. 2. Good men may take opportunity under God to try innocent ones, but not to hurt them.
D. 3. Speed, pursuit, and apprehension may be of the innocent in their way.
D. 4. It is grievous sin to return evil for good.
D. 5. God may suffer this to be charged upon them who deserve it not. Ver. 4.
D. 6. Theft is aggravated from the esteem and use of things.
D. 7. Theft is more grievous, when done against such as can discover it.
D. 8. Such wickedness may be charged upon those who deserve it not; and that by order of good men.
D. 9. Such charges cannot be good, but upon special dispensation from God, and for the good of others. Ver. 5.
2. Now followeth the stewards execution of his warrant upon all Jacobs sons, wherein observe.
1. His apprehending of them,Ver. 6. And he apprehended them, — Others, he overtook or reached them or fetched them up; with his company doubtles, which he took with him for that purpose, and finding them, &c. Sep. — And he apprehended, Cald, that is, he came to them, & laid hold on them for malefactors.
2. His bespeaking of them, And he spake unto them these same words, Sept. and Cald. same. That is according to his warrant and instructions given him by Ioseph charging them with theft, and unworthy demeanor to his Lord, for all his kindnes.
Quest. Did the servant do well to obey his Lord in such an unjust command? To charge them with theft, whom he knew to be innocent?
Answ. 1. No sinful commands against holines or righteousnes for hurt may be obeyed.
2. This was but for triall, as the steward well knew Josephs mind.
3. This was intended to their good and not their hurt.
4. Yet such examples are not imitable by any, unles in such a case, where God moveth unto triall; as it is to be presumed it was in this matter.
We learn.
D. 1. Executing warrants and arrests from Governors is but meet for inferiors.
D. 2. Innocents may be arrested and hardly charged under the ordering of providence.
D. 3. Actor's herein may be excused, while under God they do it for trial and no hurt to men. V. 6.
2. The answear of Jacobs sons being arrested followeth, wherein they discover.
Ver. 7.I. Their wonder at such a charge, And they said to him, why doth my Lord speak according to these words? Sept. and Cald. same.
It is a question of admiration, they were astonished at such an unexpected change,
1. The form of it is Ecstatical, full of wonder, they were surprised, yet humble, giving due respect to their accuser.
2. The matter of it is the disowning of any of the thing's charged.
II. Their abhorrency of the fact, Far be it to thy servants from doing according to this word, or God forbid, to thy servants, to do such a thing foreign Sept. and Cald. same. Herein.
1. They deny the fact, or any such thing.
2. They express detestation of such wicked and unjust dealings. Ver. 7.
3. Their purgation of themselves by an argument from the less seeming offence to the greater. Wherein we may note.
Ver. 8.1. The antecedent, Behold the money which we found in our sacks mouth we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan. Gald. same. — Sept. read conditional in way of argument, if we returned to thee the silver, &c. Herein, when they they were not charged, but fearing they might do wrong by mistake, they declare their honest mindes to take away all offence that they would not wrong him of the least mite.
2. The consequent by way of expostulation, And how should we steal out of the house of thy Lord, silver or gold? Sept. same. Vessels of silver, &c. Cald. This is a consequent of great probability, and a fair presumption of their innocency. Ver. 8.
4. Their self-judgment, in confidence of their innocency.Ver. 9. If such an evil should be with them, whosoever of thy servants shall be found with it; I with whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him dye, and we also will be to my Lord for servants. — The cup be found, &c. Sept. and Cald. Herein.
1. A supposed conviction of the fact, by finding the cup with any of them not cautelously enough expressed, for they might have thought such a thing might be conveyed into one of their sacks, as their money was before, and that without any consciousness of theirs.
2. A voluntary subjection to a penalty of their own making, which stood in two parts.
1. That the man with whom the cup was found must dye, though theft made him not liable.
2. That to boot, all the rest should be judged to be slaves, and servants to his Lord. Ver. 9.
Quest. Was this sentence well managed by them?
Answ. No surely, though out of their simplicity, and hatred of the fact and confidence of their own innocency, they durst pronounce it.
1. It was rash and hasty,
2. It was irregular and illegal, as to God.
3. It was unlimited as to any accidental event, that such a thing might be put upon them by others.
It instruct's us.
D. 1. Innocency may be startled with false accusations to its astonishment.
D. 2. Innocents demean themselves humbly in denying false charges.
D. 3. Harmles soules abhorre any such evils of which they are accused. Ver. 7.
D. 4. Guiltles soules may plead and demonstrate their own innocency to men.
D. 5. Conscience of doing the least evil is a good argument, that men would not do greater. Ver. 8.
D. 6. Confidence of self-innocency may make men over-lash in self-judging.
D. 7. Rash and inconsiderat are such judgments.
D. 8. Haste in such judgment may bring innocent soules into great snares. Ver. 9.
3. The stewards consent to their own sentence, with his mitigation of it, wherein
1. He accepts their offer.
Ver. 10.1. In general, And he said, now also according to your words, so let it be, Sept. and Cald. to same. So he yeelds to their vote.
2. In particular, but with limitation, though they forgat it.
1. To the party with whom it might be found, Whoever shall be found with it, he shall be a servant to me. — With whom the cup is found, &c. Sept. Cald. same. So that, he judged him not to death, but to slavery.
2. To the rest, he offers them a dismission, And ye shall be blameles. — Pure, Sept. — Innocent. Cald. that is, as afterward Ioseph saith, ye shall be at liberty to return.
Learn we thence.
D. 1. Innocent men in rash proffers may be taken at their word.
D. 2. Justice will not lay more then equal upon any that may be found guilty.
D. 3. Just men will clear the innocent though they charge themselves. Ver. 10.
4. The search hereupon made, whereabout note.
1. Their submission voluntary to it, & they hastened, Ver. 11.and took down every man his sacke to the ground, and they opened every man his sacke, Sept. and Cald. the same. Here we have.
1. Their readiness to be searched.
2. Their unloading of the beasts.
3. Their openness, in opening their sacks, to suffer any to view. Ver. 11.
Ver. 12.2. The inquisition or search itself, And he searched, and he began with the eldest, and ended with the youngest, Sep. & Cald. to same.
1. The action, scrutiny.
2. The order, from eldest to yongest keeping the worst for last: all that while they were in good hope.
5. The event and issue of all, which is twofold.
1. The discovery of the cup, And the cup was found in Benjamins sacke, Sept. and Cald. same. Herein, was seeming conviction made, that the yongest was the thief. Ver. 12.
2. The resentment of it by all of them, in their.
1. Passionat expression of their sorrow,Ver. 13. And they rent their garments, Sept. and Cald. same. This was the greatest expression of sorrow in those countries. The fabulous Rabbins talk, that all the brethren railed on Benjamin, And called him thief, &c. But the Spirit of, God mentions nothing but a sympathy in all.
2. Hasty loading of their beasts again, And every man laded his asse, or put their sacks upon their asse, Sept. Cald. same, there was no standing there.
3. Speedy return unto the city. And they returned to the city, Sept. and Cald. same. They left not Benjamin to go alone, but all return with purpose to suffer with him. Ver. 13.
Quest. Why is no mention made of their money found?
Answ. 1. That was not the matter sought for. 2. That was given them freely. 3. The greater sin, that any should seem to take away the cup of him, who dealt so kindly with them.
Observe we hence.
D. 1. Innocent soules are speedy to lay open themselves to a Search. Ver. 11.
D. 2. Order in executing warrants for search is decent.
D. 3. Such order pleaseth best which furthers the inquisitors designe.
D. 4. Providence orders men to hide and find the matters of suspicion, upon the dearest child. Ver. 12.
D. 5. Sympathy in bowels and troubles, becometh brethren in distresse.
D. 6. Vnexpected arrests and evidences of danger cause extasies of sorrow.
D. 7. Load and unload, do and undo, innocent soules are somtimes forced unto.
D. 8. A little time may make innocent men return sadly thither whence they came forth gladly. Ver. 13.
2. The next thing reported is their approach and humble prostration before Joseph, Ver. 14.15.16.17. Wherein we have to note.
1. The action of Jacobs sons, twofold.
1. Their accesse into Iosephs presence, And Judah came and his brethren to the house of Joseph, and he was yet there, Entered into, &c. unto Ioseph. Sept. and Cald.
1. The parties, Iacobs sons arrested and brought backe, but among them Iudah lead's, as also followeth; he had more ability it seem's, or was more concerned then the rest, therefore is named only among them.
2. Their motion, they came.
3. The place, Iosephs house.
4. The reason, there he was. Likely expecting a return of his warrant.
2. Their prostration, And they fell before him on the ground, Sept. and Cald. same, here is another instance of the dream fulfilling, it is a posture which carrieth in it, consternation of mind, they say nothing but prostrate themselves upon the ground, in a sad dejected manner. Ver. 14.
2. The return of Ioseph in a double, (or twofold) question.
Ver. 15.1. And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this, which ye have done? Cald. same. — Why did you this deed? Sept. Herein he seem's to charge on them iniquity with an aggravation; what kind of sin is this which you have done against so much kindnes?
2. Knew ye not that such a man as I can searching search diligently, or divining divine? Cald. and Sept. to same.
Here he chargeth their inadvertency, as not to consider, that in Egypt there were men could divine, and find out such secret theeves; where he assume's not the Magicians practice, but speaketh of himself conjecturally, as others, yet the word admit's another sense, and better beseeming Ioseph, herein he taxeth their boldnes to attempt such a thing against such a man as he was. Ver. 15.
Ver. 16.3. The reply of them by Iudah is threefold.
1. By acknowledging their insufficiency to answer in three expostulations.
1. What shall we say? Cald. same. What shall we say again, foreign.— Sept.
2. What shall we speak? Sept. and Cald. same. We have not a word to say.
3. And how shall we justifie ourselves? Sept. and Cald. same. All is to be rendred negatively, we have nothing to say or speak or plead for our selves.
2. By ascribing to God this discovery, God hath found out the iniquity of th… servants. Sept. same. before God is found out the sin of thy servants, Cald.
1. Guilt makes them acknowledge God, though not in matter charged.
2. They lye down at Gods foot under his inquisition, that was now made.
3. By self-judging, Behold we are my Lords servants, both we and he in whose hand the cup is found; Sept. and Cald. same. So they yeeld themselves to slavery to suffer all alike at Iosephs hand.
Quest Did they well to accuse themselves being every one innocent?
Answ. 1. Consternation upon such an arrest might make them do they knew not what. 2. No man of them knew the innocency of another. 3. They charge not this iniquity as if God found it in them, but some other sin. 4. None are bound to accuse themselves falsly.
4. Iosephs answer to this self-judgement
1. By abhorring to punish the innocent,Ver. 17. And he said, farre be it from me to do this, Sept. and Cald. same. He abhor's to punish all for one.
2. By pitching upon the pretended offender, The man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant. Sept. and Cald. same. One onelyonly is set apart for punishment, pretended to be guilty, herein was justice: neither saith he that he stole it, the penalty also was servitude to have nothing of their own.
3. By discharging the rest; And you, get ye up in peace to your father. Cald. same. — Go ye up in safety, &c. Sept. Herein note.
1. The parties dismissed, all with whom the cup was not found.
2. Their dismission, go ye in peace to your father; this sheweth the rule of equity, however the carriage of all the matter be but in a figure, or personated act. Ver. 17.
It learneth us.
D. 1. Innocent men arrested yeeld themselves unto their judge though unjustly terrified.
D. 2. Providence orders time, place, and persons, whereby innocents are charged and tried,
D. 3. Sudden apprehension of innocents may stupify them, and make them fall down dumb.
D. 4. In those passages God hath ordered the fullfilling of his Prophesies so to them. Ver. 14.
D. 5. Good men in power may charge fowl things upon the innocent for trial, and aggravate them.
D. 6. Innocency may be charged with inadvertency in offending others.
D. 7. VnderUnder providence, and for good, powers have pretended to know of others what they know not. Ver. 15.
D. 8. Innocency being overcharged by powers, whence it cannot appeal, may plead guilty.
D. 9. God order's such charges to the discovery of other sins for his own glory.
D. 10. Innocents may under consternation yeeld themselves to more penalty then is just. Ver. 16.
D. 11. Just powers abhorre to punish the innocent with the guilty.
D. 12. Servitude is a just penalty for theeves, let them own nothing, who steal other mens goods.
D. 13. Justice is as ready to dismiss the innocent, as to punish the guilty. Ver. 17.
foreign
3. The next matter observable upon their arrest, and Josephs sentence on them, is Judahs special addresse unto him, and here begins the eleventh section of the law marked with three great letters. And it continueth unto Chap. 47. ver. 28. The title of this parasha is, Vaygoth the first word of all. Now in the history of Iudahs addresse unto Joseph, we have these particulars.
1. His appeal for audience. Ver. 18.
2 His narration of past matters.
1. Between Ioseph and them, Ver. 19. to 23.
2. Between them and their father. Ver. 24. to 29.
3. His arguments to move Ioseph.
1. The danger imminent on his father. Ver. 30.31.
2. The suretiship undertaken by him, Ver. 32.
4. His supplication & passionat conclusion, Ver. 33.34.
To the first, we have herein to note.
Ver. 18.1. His accesse, And Judah came neer unto him. Sep. and Cald. same.
1. The party, Iudah, who was for this imploiment, more honorable than his brethren, and the onelyonly undertaker for Benjamin unto his father.
2. The motion, he drew somthing neerer to Ioseph from among his brethren.
2. His humble request is twofold.
1. For liberty to speak, On me, or to me my Lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in the ears of my Lord. — A word before my Lord.
1. His humility, stiling Ioseph his Lord, twise, and himself his servant.
2. His desire, that in the present case he might have leave to speak, though not to defence, yet to petition grace.
2. Against any displeasure that might arise in Ioseph, And let not thine anger be kindled against thy servant. Cald. to same. Be not angry with thy servant. Sept. Herein.
1. His stile is humble.
2. His petition is by deprecating all displeasure in Ioseph toward a poor client.
3. His reason of both, For thou art as Pharaoh, or Pharaoh as thou, It may be read both wayes; wherein he acknowledgeth his dignity, and magnificence, unto which he now humbly prostrates himself, thou art as Pharaoh, in his place and majesty: — Thou art after Pharaoh, Sept. — As Pharaoh is thou art, Cald. Ver. 18.
Note we.
D. 1. Hard sentence from a judge presseth souls grieved to draw neerer to him.
D. 2. It concern's persons of wisdom and respect to undertake the reversing of sentence.
D. 3. Humble petitions are more prevalent than stout apologies with forraign powers.
D. 4. Liberty of speech for clients, and aversion of displeasure in a judge are requisit to repeal hard judgment.
D. 5. Majesty in Princes requir's humility and reverence from poor petitioners.
D. 6. It is not unlawful to procure the Princes favour by due appeals and humble addresses. Ver. 18.
To the second. 1. The narration of the passages between them and Joseph in 5 particulars.
1. Josephs question to them,Ver. 19. My Lord asked his servants, saying, have ye a father or brother? Cald. same. — Thou askedst us, &c. Sept. Ver. 19.
2. Their answer to this,Ver. 20. And we said unto to my Lord, &c. Sept. and Cald. same.
1. Their acknowledgement of their father and his age.
2. Of their brother.
1. As to his youth, a child of his old age the jongest.
2. As to his brother, he was dead.
3. As to his mother, he alone was left of the same mother.
4. As to his fathers affection, And his father loveth him. Ver. 20.
3. Iosephs reply, And thou saidst unto thy servants, &c.
1. He declare's Josephs command, Bring him down unto me, Sep. & Cald. same.
2. The end of it, and I will set mine eyes upon him, or that I may, Cald. same. Sept. read, and I will care for him, the setting of the eyes may note.
1. Cognisance, to take knowledge of one.
2. Favour and respect to him.
3. Indignation: but here the two former serve's fit. Ver. 21.
Ver. 22.4. Their return again, And we said unto my Lord, &c. Where.
1. They declare the difficulty of bringing him, the yong man cannot leave his father, Sept. and Cald. same.
2. The reason, And if he leave his father he will dye, Sept. and Cald. same. Therefore they could not bring him without danger of their fathers death. Ver. 22.
5. Iosephs peremtory resolution declared, And thou saidst, &c. Wherein.
Ver. 23.1. An indispensable command for his comming, If your yongest brother come not down with you; He must come, without any excuse, Sept. and Cald. same.
2. The argument inforcing, Ye shall not add to see my face, or ye shall see my face no more Sept. and Cald. same. All this Iudah declares to open the cause of their bringing Benjamin upon Iosephs command. Ver. 23.
Quest. Did Iudah make a true narration of all passages between them and Ioseph, seing some things mentioned here, were not written before?
Answer. 1. Some fable it and say, Iudah said more to Ioseph, than he spake, but it is both irrational, and incredible, that he would so speak to his face; what he had not said unto them. 2. It is certain that all things spoken and acted were not in all places recorded. 3. Iosephs allowance of his speech, sheweth it to be true.
We learn.
D. 1. A just narrative of carriages in cases of dispute and danger is but requisit to clear things.
D. 2. In declarations, due respects are to be shewd unto powers to whom they are made.
D. 3. Plain answers to plain questions is that which becommeth all.
D. 4. In narratives, as truth must be spoken, so such as is advantagious for the innocent. Ver. 20.
D. 5. Powers may require advantages from innocents, not for hurt but good. Ver. 21.
D. 6. Arguments of danger and death are reasonably proposed to the demands of powers. Ver. 22.
D. 7. VnderUnder providence powers may deny such argument for good.
D. 8. There is no denial of clients to their judge when they are peremptory, Ver. 22.23.
2. The narrative followeth of passages between them and their father at their return, wherein we have to note.
1. Their relation of matters to their father, And it was, &c. Wherein.Ver. 24.
1. Their arrival is related, when we came up unto thy servant my father. Sept. & Cald. same.
2. Their manifestation of all that was required of them, then we told him the words of my Lord. — Sept. and Cald. same. Our Lord. Sept. they told all that Ioseph required of them, if they went again into Egypt. Ver. 24.
2. The report of their fathers demand of them, after some time was spent,Ver. 25. And their bread grew scarce, & our father said, &c.
1. They relate their fathers command to go again to Egypt.
2. The end of it, to buy a little food. Ver. 25.
3. The discovery of their answer, which was.
1. By way of denial, And we said, Ver. 26.we cannot go down. Sept. and Cald. same.
2. By way of grant, If our yongest brother be with us then will we go down, go with us. Sept. and Cald. same.
3. By giving reason for this, For we cannot see the mans face, and our yongest brother not be with us. Sept. and Cald. same. V. 26.
4. The report of their fathers reply to this.
1. In his narration of his issue by Rachel, Ye know, that my wife bare unto me two sons. Sept. and Cald. same. two, Ver. 27.Ver. 27.
2. In remembring the losse of one of them as he thought which was Ioseph, of whome.
1. His departure,Ver. 28. And one went out from me. Sept. and Cald. same.
2. His concealed death, And I said in tearing he is torn in peeces. — And ye said, he was devoured by wild beasts. Sept. — with a slaughter he was slain. Cald.
3. His reason to make it good, And I saw him not since, — Until now. Sep. and Cald. Ver. 28.
3. In putting a case of danger to them, here.
1. He supposeth two things.
1. And if ye take this also (or ye will) from my face. Sept. and Cald. same.Ver. 29.
2. And if mischief befal him. — Malady. Sep. — Death. Cald.
2. He concludeth, Ye shall bring down my gray hairs with evil to the grave. — My old age with sorrow, &c. Thus far he declares the passionat expressions of his old father; which could not but move him to apply himself to Joseph for pitty to his old father. Ver. 29.
Note thence.
D. 1. Faithful discharge of messages intrusted by powers, is a just way to gain favour. Ver. 24.
D. 2. Paternall commands related may be a just apology for childrens obedience. Ver. 25.
D. 3. Children how ever they must be obedient, it is in things feasable.
D. 4. Powers without, may keep children from doing all comanded of parents. Ver. 16.
D. 5. Affectionate husbands bear in mind the issue of dearest wives. Ver. 27.
D. 6. The conceited losse of any dear children hath great impression upon naturall parents Ver. 28.
D. 7. Supposed dangers to dearest children make's parents loath to part with them.
D. 8. Tender parents are apt to lay loss of children to deep upon their hearts.
D. 9. A true narrative of parental bowels may proove good means to deliver children out of snares. Ver. 29.
3. The arguments follow whereby Iudah labour's to move Ioseph. Which are two.
1. The one is taken from his father, and the evil impendent on him. Ver. 30 31. Wherein he supposeth three sad events upon their return, if Benjamin be not with them.
Ver. 30.1. Upon their father, Wherein
1. The case, And now when I come to thy servant my father, and the yong-man be not with us, & again. Then it will be when he seeth the yong-man is not. Ver. 31.And it will be, when he seeth the lad not being with us, Sept. — And the lad return not with us. Cald.
2. The event upon this case, He will dye. That is thy servant our father. His life will depart in that very moment.
3. The reason of this event, And his soul is bound up in the soul of him, His soul hang's upon, &c. Sept. — And his soul is beloved to him as his own. Cald. This demonstrates the evil impendent on their father, because his life was as it were but in the life of his son, if this come not again, our father will dye away: he doth not say the life of the child is bound up in the fathers, that is seldom or never so, but the fathers in the childs.
2. Upon themselves, and that is the evil of guilt, And thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow unto the grave. — Sept. & Cald. same. In summe they are sensible of the charge laid upon them before by their father; when he denied Benjamin to go with them, Chap. 42, 38. They say not neither thou wilt, but we shall. ver. 30.31.
Observe we hence.
D. 1. It becommeth children not to indanger the life of parents, especially being forewarned.
D. 2. Just fear of indangering parents lives, is a good argument to powers not to press children there upon.
D. 3. The want of the sight of desired children may kill a Parent.
D. 4. Parents lives may be bound up in childrens, scarcely childrens in parents.
D. 5. Such affections are inordinate, and irregular.
D. 6. Natural children would not willingly be guilty of hastening parents deaths.
D. 7. It is an unnatural sin to bring gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
D. 8. It is a powerful argument to rulers, to do all just things for preserving gray heads; especially when it is a white head, and a white heart.
2. The next argument is taken from himself because he was the special undertaker for Benjamin to his father. Wherein we may note.
1. His general ingagement,Ver. 31. For thy servant became surety for the yong-man; Cald. same. Received the lad or child from my father, Sept. As being answerable for him.
2. His especial undertaking in it, in saying, if I bring him not unto thee. Then will I be a sinner to my father all dayes, Sept. same. —I shall be guilty of sin, Cald. It is the same he spake to his father. Chap. 43.9.
1. He promised to bring him backe.
2. If he did not he submits to be guilty, and bear the blame and punishment for ever, even all his dayes.
Herein he discover's the faithfulness of a just man in keeping promise, his scope is, to move Joseph to consider, what a charge lay upon him, and unles he should discharge it, what a blame would be upon him for ever, Ver. 32.
Note we.
D. 1. It is the part of a just man to remember his promises and undertakings.
D. 2. The conscience of fidelity should be a pressing argument to powers not to hinder it.
D. 3. It is an heavy thing to bear the guilt of breaking faith or trust.
D. 4. Childrens ingagements to fathers are a sacred tie. Ver. 32.
4. In the last place he brings in upon the premisses his petition, where we have.
1. The things desired, which are two.
Ver. 33.1. That himself being surety, might be judged to be his servant instead of the lad, And now, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the yongman a servant to my Lord, there is but one word for servant in the Hebrew and Cald. two in Greek, foreign. The one is a voluntary term of humility, the other notes the penalty submitted unto, that is to be a bondman, or his instrument for servitude to go and come at his word.
2. That Benjamin might be inlarged to go unto his father, And let the yongman goe up with his brethren. Sept. and Cald. same. that is, let the sentence be taken off from him, that he may have liberty to return to his father with his brethren to keep him yet in the land of the living. Ver. 33.
2. The reason urging him to this, which was an inability to bear the event in the losse of his father, this he expresseth passionatly.
1. By expostulation querulous, For how shall I go up to my father and the yongman be not with me; Sept. and Cald. same. Wherein he pathetically expressed the impossibility for him to see his fathers face, unles Benjamin were with him; oh how shall I look my father in the face?
2. By conclusion timorous, Least I see the evill that shall find my father. — evills. Sept. Cald. same. As if he had said, wo is me. I shall see my father dye presently, by evills and griefs that will surprise him, and I; what shall I do? I had rather abide a slave in Egypt, than see these calamities upon my father, O therefore dear Sir, accept me for a servant, and set the yongman free to save his fathers life. Ver. 34.Ver. 34.
Which teacheth us.
D. 1. Faithful men, especially children, will rather choose to suffer, than break their trust.
D. 2. Change of persons as to some punishments as it may be disirable, so is also lawful.
D. 3. Humility will lay men under the lowest servitude, to bring about accomplishment of promise.
D. 4. Dismission of one is but just upon the ingagement of another. Ver. 33.
D. 5. Ingenuous honest Spirits, are impatient to appear without performance.
D. 6. Natural affection cannot indure to see evill finding out Parents, to misery or death.
D. 7. Faithfulnes and tender affection are good motives to yeeld unto reasonable petitions.
D. 8. Passionat arguments must be to press mens hearts, to reverse their sentence. Ver. 34.