An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 45
CHAP. XLV.
IN this is continued the history of Iosephs further carriage to his brethren at this time, after that Iudah had ended his pathetical speech, where we have to note, the first general of this Chapter.
4. Iosephs manifestation of himself unto his brethren. ver. 1. to 15.
Wherein occure.
1. His acts preparatory to it. ver. 1.2.
2. His manifestation itself. ver. 3.4.
3. His brotherly support of them in trouble. ver. 5.6.7.8.
4. His charge to them, and message by them to his father. ver. 9.10.11.12.13.
5. His tender deportment to them. ver. 14.15.
To the first. The acts preparatory to his manifestation, are two.
1. His command for clearing the room, And hereabout we have to observe.
1. The impulsive cause of it,Ver. 1. And or then Joseph could not refrain himself to, or before all them that stood by him, Cald. same. — He could not suffer all them that stood by him, Sept.
1. The conection is copulative, noting the immediate effect upon Ioseph from Iudahs speech; the case did so affect him, that now he is forced to put off his vail.
2. The matter so neerly connected, is the violent working of natural bowels, which now put an impossibility upon him of with holding himself from discovery. he had offered violence to himself in concealing his affections so long, and now he can do it no longer.
2. The word of command given by him, And he cried, cause every man to go out from me. Cald. same. but he said, send away all men from me. Sept. In short he comand's his servants, whereof no doubt many were attending on such an action to clear the room, and shut the door's, not that he was ashamed of his brethren, but to have opportunity of freer discovery of himself to his brethren; and none might hear of their evils against him.
3. The issue hereupon, And there stood not a man with him, when Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. When he was made known, &c. Sept. and Cald. to same. All observed his orders, and departed the roome: And left Joseph alone with his brethren. ver. 1.
2. The next act preparatory is his violent expression of his passion, And he gave forth his voice with weeping, and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. Sept. and Cald. to same. Herein.
1. His passion prevents his speech: he wept aloud, that is the force of the Hebrew phrase, he gave forth his voice: the yearning of his bowells could no longer be restrained, but he breaks out into teares, before he could speak one word; this was no pusillanimity but true natural affection, guided also with prudence: they were teares of compassion and joy toward his brethren. Ioseph was no stoicke.
2. The report spreads of such actions.
1. Among the Egyptians, who were neer at hand.
2. By them probably carried to the house of Pharaoh: all these carriages of Ioseph were in order to the following manifestation. Ver. 2.Ver. 2.
D. 1. Passionat speeches are usually answered with passionat expressions in hearers.
D. 2. Wise and good men, though for a season they may curb nature, yet not so alwayes.
D. 3. Prudence suggest's the fitting of place, and persons for discoveries to be made.
D. 4. It's sutable for attendents, to goe and come at the rulers word. Ver. 1.
D. 5. Stupidity or apathy is incompetent with nature, much more with grace.
D. 6. Affections kept in, breakout at last with greater violence.
D. 7. In affectionat good soules tears may prevent their tongues in discoveries.
D. 8. VnderUnder providence affections & relations come to ear, though managed with greatest privacy. Ver. 2.
2. The manifestation itself which Ioseph makes unto his brethren, which carrieth these particulars.
1. His assertion, foreign And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Ioseph, Sept. and Cald. same. Tossing of bowells and tears at last let out this word, which was an amazing one to them.
Now this and his following words he speaks by himself to his brethren, not by an interpreter, and that in their own language, I whom you have thus far sued unto, I am Joseph.
2. His quere of them, Is my father yet living? Sept. and Cald. same. A pathetical question to hear the Lord of Egypt call old Iacob father, which with the former assertion strikes astonishment.
3. The impression hereby made upon them. Wherein note.
1. The frame impressed. And his brethren could not answer him, Sept. and Cald. same. Not a word, Cald. they were struck in the head; when formerly they had told Ioseph was dead, and their own guilt accused them that they sold him; And now to hear him say, I am Ioseph. This is an astonishing word and strikes them dumb.
2. The reason of this impression, For they were terrified at his presence, Sept. and Cald. same. Such an unexpected discovery of a poor innocent brother sold by them, with a purpose to cross Gods revelation of him, and now become their Lord and judge, such strange events cannot but work perturbation and amazement. Ver. 3.Ver. 3▪
4. His invitation of them to draw nigh, And Ioseph said unto his brethren, Ver. 4.come near to me, I pray you. And they came neer, Sept. and Cald. same.
1. His call to them to approach. It is probable he sate in his appointed place, and they stood at a distance. Whereupon he invites them nearer to speak more freely to them.
2. Their approach, And they came near that is, according to his invitation, they made access to him in the place where he was.
5. His confirmation of what he had asserted, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt, Sept. and Cald. same.
1. Here is the same assertion, I am Ioseph.
2. His relation to them is added, I am Ioseph your brother.
3. A good token of it by his suffering from them, me ye sold into Egypt, I am the man, and ye may know it upon this account; where he minds them of that act which might convince them, that it was even he. Ver. 4.
Observe we.
D. 1. The height of passion being over, the mouth may be open to speak and ease the heart.
D. 2. In fullness of time Joseph will appear to be Joseph; natural bowells cannot be hid alwayes.
D. 3. Greatnes cannot hinder grace from owning its relations, fathers and brethren.
D. 4. Nature, much more grace, inquireth of the life and well-fare of parents.
D. 5. Sudden discoveries of unexpected events usually astonisheth the soules of men.
D. 6. Perturbations and terrors may strike men dumb that they cannot speak.
D. 7. Josephs discovery to his brethren is astonishing. Innocents in glory are so to guilty soules. Ver. 3.
D. 8. Grace makes greatness stoop to invite offenders unto favour.
D. 9. Guilt may approach unto offended innocents, when invited.
D. 10. Grace will make a soul own brotherhood to such as have sold them.
D. 11. Mens sinnes may be tokens of remembring those soules whom they have offended.
D. 12. Grace may mention sinnes against it not to reproach, but to melt the sinner. Ver. 4.
3. After this he yeelds brotherly support unto them in their sudden terrors, and troubles. Where.
1. He encourageth them, against too much grief upon their evil deeds to him, And now be not grieved, neither let there be anger in your eyes, that ye sold me hither. Neither let it seem hard to you, &c. Sept. —Let it not be displeasing in your eies &c. Wherein he supports them.
1. Against over much grief, which every one guilty might now possibly feele, let not your soules be over whelmed; thus the offended comforts the offender.
2. Against anger in their eies, one against another for conspiring to such a thing; or it may note indignation against themselves, every one for his evill.
3. Against greatness of sin, however, ye were men-sellers, yea and betraied an innocent brother, yet let not this now bring too much greif upon you. Come wipe away your tears; and be quieted in this;
2. He reasons them out of their terror and trouble, from the wise and gracious ordering of that providence by God, both to him and to them, wherein.
1. He asserts God to be the high cause and orderer of his comming into Egypt, For God did send me before you, for preservation of life, vivification. Sept. same. Cald. Sustentation, where he affirm's.
1. Gods causall act, he sent me. That is under your injurious sale of me it was God that sent me, and in that way of a slave, wherein you thought to bind me up, but Gods counsel was that way to bring his word to passe, he sent me in your way.
2. The end, it was to preserve life, even the life of you and yours, &c. ver. 5.Ver. 5.
2. He declares the prophesy of God made known by him of the time of famine; for which he provided for them before hand.
1. He tells them the years past of the famine. For these two years, the famine hath bin in the midst of the land. Sept. and Cald. to same. This they knew what was past.
2. He inform's them of time to come. And yet there are five year's wherein there shall be no earing or harvest. Sept. and Cald. same, The scope of this declaration is, to shew them Gods great goodness, in sending him before to provide for them in the daies of famine, ver. 6.Ver. 6.
3. He inculcats the same cause, And God sent me before you, to put for you a remnant in the earth, and to preserve life unto you for a great escaping, or by. — And to nourish you a great remnant. Sept.— That he might put and sustain. Cald.
1. He expresseth the same cause. God sent me.
2. He notes a further end to the Church.
1. To the continuance of its seed on the earth.
2. To keep them alive with great deliverance. ver. 7.Ver. 7.
4. He concludes from all,Ver. 8. And now ye sent me not hither but God. Sept. and Cald. to same. —
Quest. Did not they sell and send him?
Answ. Yea to be a slave, and to destroy him, but not to be a saviour to the Church and preserve them, this was Gods work alone; which Joseph so much inculcat's here, and hereby labour's to still their troubled Spirits.
5. He expresseth a further end as to Joseph.
1. To make him a father to Pharaoh, And he hath put me for a father to Pharaoh. Cald. same. — He hath made me as a father. Sept.
2. To make him ruler over Egypt, And for a Lord to all his house, and a Ruler in all the land of Egypt. Sept. same. — To all the men of his house. Cald. Thus he sheweth them that God had turned all their thoughts for good not onelyonly for them, but for him, and for the land of strangers, and with these words he stayeth up their hearts. ver. 8.
The words being plain, some queries are needful to be satisfied about Josephs expressions.
Quest. 1. How did Joseph know that he was sent by God?
Answ. 1. Joseph knew that all events are guided and ordered by providence, he attributes this to God; and this he might know, by natural light, by supernatural faith upon Gods purpose revealed by the truth of providence, taught in the Church, and by his own experience of the events.
Quest. 2. Doth not Ioseph make God the author of his brethrens sin, in saying, not ye, but God sent me? was not the selling of him a sin?
Answ. 1. The selling of him was doubtles a great sin.
2. His brethren though they sold him, sent him not into Egypt, for they knew not what the Midianits would do with him; God pointed out Egypt and his condition there.
3. The concurrence of providence with evill m…n in sinful actions, may be, and is without any causation of their sinn's; onelyonly for over-ruling that which men do sinfully, to higher ends and better, for Gods glory and his creatures good: and so God partake's not of the sin of man: so God took away Iobs possession, by the Sabeans, &c. Job. 1.15.17, &c, so of Herod and Pontius Pilate, it is written they did whatever the hand and counsel of God did determine acts. 4.28. verse. and Gods thoughts and mans are farre different about the same events.
Quest. 3. Doth not Gods sending excuse the selling of him by his brethren?
Answ. No in no sort; they were wicked in their purposes. God did but over-rule them in their sin, he was righteous therein, but they the inventors, and proper actors of their own evill.
Quest. 4. Did not Gods act force their will?
Answ. No, they wrought their works from their own understanding, and will, God inclined them not to evill; onelyonly what they intend for evill, by his soveraignity he turn's to good.
Which teacheth us.
D. 1. Sinners smitten and astonished at conviction of sin, had need of support.
D. 2. Grace is prone to comfort sad sinners under their burdens, though against ones self.
D. 3. Wise and good soules reason out dejected sinners from their perturbations.
D. 4. God may send in goodness, when men sell in wickednes, their very brother. Ver. 5.
D 5. Famin's and their durations, are ordered and sent of God, upon saving onelyonly to his Church.
D. 6. Discoveries of such Gods providence tend to ease the burdens of afflicted ones. Ver. 6.
D. 7. Providence useth the sins of men to his own great ends, and contracts no sin to God by it.
D. 8. In what men aim at death and destruction, God over rules to life and preservation.
D. 9 Great escapes from death God works for some, that intend greatest ruin's to his. Ver. 7.
D. 10. All these sweet issues of providence are to be ascribed to God, and not to men.
D. 11. Gods instruments in saving Kingdom's are fathers unto Kings.
D. 12. Honour and dignity doth God appoint and effect for them, whom men designe to shame and misery. Ver. 8.
4. Now followeth,Ver. 9. his dispatch of them and message by them unto his father, wherein.
1. Expedition is charged, Haste ye and goe up to my father. Sept. and Cald. same.
1. Here is evident piety to his father.
2. Brotherly compliance, my father as yours.
3. Power as in his place commanding.
4. Care to prevent delayes, in this time of famine and his fathers trouble in the absence of his sonnes.
2. The message dispatched unto him, with his name annexed, and herein note,
1. His charge to speak in his name, And say unto him thus saith thy son Joseph, Sept. and Cald. same. He commands all to be delivered in his own name.
1. Brotherly ingagement.
2. Filiall acknowledgment.
3. Authentical advertisement are carried in it.
2. The matter of this message. Wherein are.
1. Gods work acknowledged. God hath put me for a Lord of Egypt, Sept. and Cald. Here is his preface incouraging, shewing his father how God had brought to passe his former dreams in exalting him to this estate; in a strange land, whether he had a purpose to send his Church.
2. Josephs desire commended.— Come down unto me, stand not stil. Tarry not, Sept. and Cald.
1. His request for his father to come down to him, not by way of superior command from himself, but divine advertisement.
2. His instance in it, make no stand about it. All this was of God, who told Abraham that his seed was to be a stranger in a land that was not theirs, Gen. 15. And now by this invitation God brings it about, ver. 9.
3. The motives to worke Iacob to this, which are.
1. A setled habitation here for Gods time. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, Cald. same. Sept. Gesem. Herein are noted.
1. Certainty of habitation, though invited from his own home;
2. Fertility, for such the land of Goshen was, fit for cattel; he is called to the water.
3. Facility in removal, for it was nearest unto Canaan.
2. A neighbourhood or propinquity to himself. And thou shalt be neer to me, thou and thy sons, &c. Sept. and Cald. same. This was a great incouragement to him who thought he was as farre from Ioseph, as from one out of the land of the Living, ver. 10.Ver. 10. —Universality, He and all his.
3. Sustenance and alimony, whereabout.
1. The matter promised. And I will nourish thee there, Sept. and Cald. same. The summe is, a full allowance promised to him and his household for livelyhood: to be a nursing father to them.
2. The reason of it twofold.
1. The sharpnes of five years providence to come, for yet there are five years of famine. —Sept. and Cald. same. To indure this time, without bread to eat was impossible, but so God did order it, so long the famine was to be.
2. The prevention of ruine to him and his family. Least thou be impoverished, thou and thy house and all that thou hast, Cald. same. foreign. —That thou be not worn out, &c. Sept. A sweet providence of a son under God to preserve his fathers family in being, Ver. 11.Ver. 11.
4. Evidence of all this by eye-witnesses, which he urgeth.
1. Generally. And behold your eyes see, Sept. and Cald. same. He demonstrates by the eyes of all of them.
2. Specially. And the eyes of my Brother Benjamin, Sept. and Cald. same. Him he urgeth who was nearer; and might evidence to his father more effectually.
3. The matter of evidence, That my mouth speaketh to you.—It is my mouth, &c, Sept.—That in your tongue I speak unto you, Cald. The summe is, that I speak without an interpreter in my own native language, such as yours is, therefore no cause is there of doubting concerning me, nor of what I have said unto you, ver. 12.Ver. 12.
5. The present dignity and state of preheminence wherein he was, and therefore able to make good all that he had said, herein we have.
1. His charge of a full declaration of what they had seen of his Glory. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen, Sept. and Cald. same. This he orders not in vain glory, but to certify his father, that God had accomplished his promises, and had made him able to do this good for his relations.
2. His injunction on them, as to the first demand. And ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. Sept. and Cald. same. In this is nothing els but the importunity of Ioseph to see & save his father & his family; therefore he presseth his brethren once again to haste, and convey his father thither, ver. 13.Ver. 13.
Learn thence.
D. 1. Providence may order traitors to be Messengers of better new's than they intended.
D. 2. Gracious children are speedy to take of grief from their parents hearts.
D. 3. God orders those events of mercy to be declared unto his, which they somtimes would not beleeve.
D. 4. Josephs spirit owneth his afflicted father in all his own glory.
D. 5. Josephs heart ascribe's all his glory unto God onelyonly.
D. 6. Joseph content's not himself to be in plenty and glory but to have his father with him. So do gracious hearts, ver. 9.
D. 7. Certain and fertile habitations, are humane motives to draw from barren places.
D. 8. Neernes to dearest relations may perswade to change habitations, ver. 10.
D. 9. Alimony is a duty of Children to parents in straights.
D. 10. Assurance of nourishment may well draw from places where bread is wanting.
D. 11. Gods continuance of famine should move soules to follow his providence for food.
D. 12. It is beseeming Gods servants to provide under him against impoverishing of their families. So Joseph, ver. 11.
D. 13. Eye witnesses and they dear ones of Gods gracious events, should perswade good soules, to believe them. ver. 12.
D. 14. Gracious soules may urge their dignity to help the distressed, but not in vain Glory.
D. 15. Grace makes nature speedy in the execution of its duty.
D. 16. Gracious Children desire earnestly their parents with them in their fulness, ver. 13.
5. The last particular in Josephs manifestation to his brethren, is his tender deportement to them.
1. To Benjamin, where there is mutual passion.
1. Josephs to him, And he fell upon his brother Benjamins necke and wept. Sept. and Cald. same. Two actions declare his tendernes to him.
1. Falling on his necke, as one upon his desired and Beloved.
2. Weeping in the joyful sense of his injoyment.
2. Benjamins return to him, And Benjamin wept upon his necke. Sept. and Cald. same. Here brotherly affection is drawn out by-affection: tear answearing tear, ver. 14.Ver. 14.
2. To all his Brethren jointly, And he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them, Sept. and Cald. same. Two actions.
1. Kissing. A sweet expression of brotherly love, tendernes & forgivenes of evils.
2. Weeping. A sweet note of bowels to them, and no doubt the like from them.
3. In their mutual conference, And afterward his brethren spake with him. Sept. and Cald. same. This is the sweet close of all the seeming sad actions precedent. Mutual agreement in their collocution, what they spake is not related, but doubtles, each one declaring themselves, some acknowledging their sinnes against him, and all contributing to a brotherly unity among them. Ver. 15.Ver. 15.
Observe we.
D. 1. Grace forbids not natural working of affection in its measure.
D. 2. Mutual workings of hearts in brethren is but natural. V. 14.
D. 3. Sincere kisses and tears of injured brethren to offenders are remarkable.
D. 4. Brotherly communion may be freely had, when grace had put away all offences, and accepted offenders. Ver. 15.
5. The rumor of Josephs relations made known at Pharaohs court, together with his resentment of it. This is the second general of this chapter. Ver. 16.20. Wherein we may note.
1. The tidings spread at court of it. And the voice was heard in Pharaohs house saying, Josephs brethren are come, Sept & Cald. same. Herein the words are plain, newes came presently to court, of Iosephs relations, by whom it is not said; but doubtles by some attendants, who knew the passages between Ioseph and his brethren: and in the form of speech they seem to speak it with much affection, that Josephs brethren were come.
2. The resentment of the tidings with Pharaoh, and his courtiers, which is expressed.
1. By their approbation of it, And it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants. — Pharaoh rejoiced and his family. Sept.— It was pleasing, &c. Cald. In short, all their hearts were well affected with the newes, and approved the matter. Ver. 16Ver. 16.
2. By Pharaohs commission to Ioseph about them, expressed in these particulars.
1. For their present provision,Ver. 17. And Pharaoh said unto Ioseph, say unto thy brethren, this do ye, lade your beasts, and go, get you into the Land of Canaan, Cald. same. — Fill waggons with wheat. Sept.
1. Humanity is great.
2. Liberality much from a King unto strangers.
2. A commission for their fathers comming.
1. His invitation of him, And take your father and your families (or houses) and come unto me. — And your goods, &c. Sept. — The men of your house, &c. Cald. The King by Ioseph thus invites down Iacob into Egypt with all his.
2. His incouragement to accept the invitation, And I will give you the good of th… Land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Sept. To same.— The best land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the good things of the land. Cald. Herein are noted.
1. Pharaohs indulgence by Ioseph, I will give, &c. A forcible motive to come to him, the largenes of heart is observable under Gods gracious providence.
2. Jacobs portion with his family to eat and partake of the very fat, the best and choicest provisions of the land. Ver. 18.Ver. 18.
3. An injunction for supply of means to bring down all Iacobs family into Egypt, Where.
1. Pharaoh gives all power to Ioseph, And thou art commanded. And do thou command these things. Sept. and Cald. So some read by changing the points, in the Hebrew, but as they are, it is a passive expression, and notes that Ioseph hath command and power from Pharaoh, as to order his fathers comming.
2. Joseph is to order his brethren.
1. To take with them instruments for conveyance, This do ye, take ye out of the land of Egypt waggons, or chariots, for the little ones and for your wives. Thus Pharaoh furnisheth them for their journy, with convenient means of passage.
2. To bring their father, And ye shall take up your father and come. Septuag. and Cald. same. In summe Pharaoh would have them under his authority to bring their father down, without any more delay. Ver. 19.Ver. 19.
3. He arms them against objections of delay by their goods and stuf: he chargeth.
1. And your eye let it not spare your vessels or stuffe, Cald. same. —Spare not your eyes (or sight) of your stuff, that is let not your eye look so much upon your lumber, and goods ye have, to make a stop.
2. He incourageth to this, For the good of all the land of Egypt is yours, — And the good of Egypt. Sept. — The best things of, &c. Cald. Hereby he silenceth all disputes against comming; let not losse of goods deterre you, come & ye shall have of the best in the land of Egypt. Ver. 20.Ver. 20.
Learn from these.
D. 1. Humanity will press greatest men to approve the relations of such as do them good.
D. 2. Egyptians may be glad of Israel at first though weary of them at last. Ver. 16.
D. 3. Natural ingenuity in Princes will freely allow alimony to the relations of such as sustain them.
D. 4. Safe dismission unto strangers, natural justice will afford. V. 17.
D. 5. VnderUnder providence the Church is invited for good, where after it is persecuted.
D. 6. Sweetnes and plenty may well move soules to come out of famine. Ver. 18.
D. 7. Humility teacheth subordinat rulers to act at the order of superiours.
D. 8. It is princely courtesy to afford fit helps of conveyance to such as they invite to them, ver. 19.
D. 9. Liberality will take away all objections that may be made by soules against its offers:
D. 10. Change from worse to better, is but rational to perswade removal, ver. 20.
6. The observation of Pharaohs order by Joseph and his Brethren followeth, which is the third generall head of this Chapter, this is related.
1. Generally,Ver. 21. And the sons of Israel did so, Sept. and Cald. Same, that is all, all the Brethren by Josephs order, which now followeth.
2. Specially, Josephs giving and ordering things unto them, according to his commission.
1. He appoints them waggons, And Joseph gave to them waggons according to the mouth of Pharaoh, or his command, — things spoken, Sept. — Commands. Cald. these for carriage.
2. He giveth out provision,Ver. 22. And he gave them food or provision for the way, Sept. and Cald. ver. 21.
3. He bestowes presents upon them all.
1. To his Brethren, To all of them he gave, to each man changes of garments, — double robes, Sept.—Robes to put on. Cald.
2. To Benjamin he gave 300. sickels of silver and five changes of garments: Cald. same. 300. pieces of Gold. Sept, ver. 22.
3. To his father he sent after this sort, ten hee-asses carrying the good things of Egypt, And ten shee Asses carrying corn and bread, and Victuals for his father in the way. Cald. same.—Ten Mules, Sept. These were the present bestowed and sent, full and large like a Prince, ver. 23.Ver. 23.
4. He dismisseth his brethren; wherein.
1. His discharge of them, now with more comfort than before. And he sent away his Brethren and they departed, Sept. and Cald. same. They thus took their leave and went homeward.
2. His charge unto them, and he said unto them be not stirred in the way, that is, be not angry nor contend with each other in the way. — Be not angry, Sept. — Strive not, Cald. I have now sent you away in love, so go together to my father, and walk as Brethren, Ver. 24.Ver. 24.
Learn thence.
D. 1. Ready submission is just to gracious invitations and injunctions.
D. 2. Brotherly love when it hath power, is greatly inlarged to Brethren; and to help the invited to come to them. ver. 21.
D. 3. Grace giveth garments to them, who took away garments from it. So Joseph to his Brethren.
D. 4. Natural affection admits degrees, among divers sorts of Brethren.
D. 5. Neerest brothers naturally have dearest love expressed. Ver. 22.
D. 6. Piety to parents inlargeth the hearts of children to them in wants for their supply.
D. 7. Princely presents to Parents become children exalted by God. Ver. 23.
D. 8. Brotherly kindnes not only dismisseth relations in peace, but loadeth them with tokens of love.
D. 9. Gracious brethren give charge to others against wrath and quarrels.
D. 12. Gracious hearts having pardoned others, desire them to be in love together. Ver. 24.
7. The next event in the history of Josephs carriage to his brethren, which is also the fourth and last general of the Chapter, is the return of the sons of Jacob to their father, together with the issue of it, v. 25. to 28. Herein these particulars occurre to be considered.
1. Their ascent unto, and arrival in Canaan, — And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. Sept. and Cald. same. Wherein, the good hand of providence is observable toward them.
1. In their way and motion, they went up safely and freely from Egypt.
2. In bringing them to the end of their journy, they attained their own country and fathers house in safety, which was no doubt mercy to them and their father. Ver. 25.Ver. 25.
2. Their report which they make unto Jacob their father, strange tidings unto him, in two particulars.
1. And they told him saying. Ioseph is yet alive. Cald. same,— thy son Joseph liveth Sept. This is the first newes of the life of Joseph, whom he gave for dead a long time before.
2.Ver. 26. The other tidings was as stange And that he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. Sept, and Cald. same. Hereabout doubtless they tell his state and honor and command in Egypt, what entertainment they found, and what orders they had from him.
1. It is evident they now condemned themselves for lyars, for they perswaded their father, that he was dead, they are now forced to say Ioseph is alive: And not without shame, seeing they had deceived Iacob.
2. They now confesse the events of dreams and prophesies, wich they had labored to frustrate, that God now had exalted Ioseph, and made him their Lord, which they so much disdained in times past: God is too hard for these poor Creatures.
3. The impression of these tidings upon Iacob. And his heart fainted or was weakned, for he did not beleeve them. —He was astonished in mind, &c. Sept.—the words were shaking in his heart, &c. Cald.
1. The impression of this tidings, so sudden and unexpected, was to the very fainting of Iacobs heart; as the tidings of his death did at first overwhelm him; so this strange tidings of him to be alive strike's him unto an ecstasy, to the very fainting of his Spirit, pressed with doubts and fears.
2. The reason of this impression, he did not beleeve his son's.
1. An event just upon them because they had lyed and said that he was dead, therefore they were not worthy to be beleeved.
2. An event sad upon Iacob, his unbelef casting him into a swoon; as is incident to men, when doubts and fears work about sudden, strange, and unlooked fortidings, either good or evill, it weaken's m…ns heart, when he is not able to mannage them in his understanding and affections. Ver. 26.
4. The confirmation of their report unto Iacob their father, two wayes.
1. By word, And they spake to him all the words of Joseph which he had spoken unto them. Sept. and Cald. same. What these words were may be easily conjectured by the former History; words of discovering himself, of comforting them, of invitation to his father, for comming to him at this time.
2. By deed they make proof of what they had reported, shewing the waggons and provisions which Ioseph had now sent by them, to convoy their families and father to him, And he saw the waggons, which Ioseph had sent to carry him. Sept. and Cald. same. Here was a real evidence unto sight, although he had reason to suspect their word, Iosephs servants and waggons and present was before his eyes; and this works faith.
5. The comfortable issue of this upon good old Jacob is threefold.
1. His restitution to himself, and better state, And the spirit of Iacob their father revived. — Was stirred as fire under ashes, foreign — Sept. — And the holy spirit rested upon Iacob, &c. Cald. It is evident this was a change upon Iacobs own spirit, it being now recovered to a good state and temper. After his fainting, then he looks about and seeth these tokens from Ioseph, and is comforted. Ver. 27.
He now beleeved and was revived.
2. Jacobs contentation expressed, And Israel said it is much, it sufficeth. Ioseph my son is yet alive.— This is a great thing unto me, that Ioseph my son is yet alive. Sept.— I have great joy. Cald.— This word Rab is referred by some to the precedent tidings of waggons, and present, as if Iacob should mean, this is much which Ioseph hath sent: But it seems rather to look to that which followeth; and it is an expression of contentation, It is much for me. As much as I desire, that Ioseph is alive. Therefore it is well read it is enough, he mentions not his honors but his life, it is enough for me, that my dear son Ioseph is alive, whom I have so long bemoaned as dead.
3. Jacobs resolution, I will go and see him before I dye. Sept. and Cald. same.
1. It is a resolution of faith, resting on God for leave.
2. It is the resolve of dear affection in his desire to see his son.
3. It is but previous to his dissolution, before I dye, I desire this; and yet not to be supposed without submission unto the will of God. Ver. 28.Ver. 28.
Learn we from it.
D. 1. After various trials providence orders an escape unto his servants.
D. 2. Dispersed sons and afflicted fathers are ordered by providence to meet again.
D. 3. Such providence unto the Children of the Church is observable. Ver. 25.
D. 4. It becommeth messengers to make a true report of events befallen them, and especially Children to parents.
D. 5. God may order it, that such as have reported evill falsly, shall report good truly.
D. 6. Joseph may be testified to be alive by such as wished him dead. So Gods Saints.
D. 7. God may make them witnesses of his servants glory, who intended to prevent it.
D. 8. It is brutish vanity to gainsay Gods prophesies, when men shall see them fulfilled.
D. 9. Sudden and unexpected tidings of good as well as evil may stupify the hearts of good men,
D. 10. Good men may erre in backwardnes to beleeve truth, as in forwardness to beleeve lies. So Jacob.
D. 11. It is a just recompence to lyars, not to be trusted when they speak truth.
D. 12. Vnbelief of good which God send's, weakens mans heart, and makes it feeble. Ver. 26.
D. 13. It concern's suspected witnesses to make proofe of their reports.
D. 14. Authentical words (such as from Ioseph) may tend to justify a witnes.
D. 15. Real effects and works are better props to faith with men, than words.
D. 16. Sight well used may be an help to faith concerning good to come. He saw.
D. 17. Faith relieved is a reviving cordial to drooping spirits. V. 27.
D. 18. Contentation is Israels portion in the life of Ioseph, life of dear children content parents.
D. 19. Tender and gracious parents may desire to see children whom they love.
D. 20. Old age may adventure to travel for a Iosephs sake.
D. 21. Old gracious soules have thoughts of death before them, to quicken them to present work.
D. 22. Death considered stirreth up good fathers to visit and leave behind them somthing for children. Ver. 28.