Observations Upon the Old Testament, Genesis · Chapter 44 – Chapter 45
CHAP. XLIV.
Verse 2. PUt my Cup] To try their affection to his father and to Benjamin: and for the more full verification of the dreams. Josephs case, and place, and person may carry out these practices, which otherwise are not so warrantable, 2 Cor. 1. 12. 11. 3.
V. 5. Is not this it] Speaking according to the opinion the Egyptians had of him, who by reason of his prophetical skill in interpreting dreams, thought he used divination as their Magicians did.
whereby] Or in which, or by which, or of which cup. Their fault so made the greater, a kinde of sacriledge in stealing such a Cup.
he divineth] Searching searcheth, maketh trial by experience, as, ch. 30. 27. searcheth thoroughly, 1 Kings 20. 33. or searcheth by divination, and so sinfully using the cup, (as some do a basin and other things) in such an unlawful Art. Thus the steward by Josephs appointment may speak as an Egyptian, as they conceived of Joseph, and as their Magicians used to do. Not yet that Joseph was guilty of such a crime.
V. 7. My Lord] Thus they call Josephs steward.
God forbid] Far be it, ch. 18. 25.
V. 8. We brought againe] Therefore would no… steal.
V. 9. Let him die] So, ch. 31. v. 32. Innocency is confident, yet this is too rash and rigorous. They might have though of their money in their sacks mouth before.
V. 10. My servant] The steward speaks in his Lord Josephs name.
V. 12. And be searched] He knew well how not to meddle with that end of the sacks, where he had put their money.
V. 13. Rent their clothes] See Annot. on ch. 37. 39, 34▪
V. 14. He was yet there] Expecting their return.
V. 15. What deed] As, ch. 3. 13. 4 10.
can certainly divine] See Annot. on v 5
V. 16. What shall we say] Their consciences clear, and yet their conviction seems as clear. They knew not what Apology to make.
God hath found out] So, ch. 42. 28. If we see not evident cause of our affliction, let us look to the secret counsel of God, who punisheth us justly for our sins. A good use of afflictions and crosses, Esay 27. 9. Gen. 42, 21, 22. Judah thought this his best argument and way, having no legal excuse or defence to make for the clearing of themselves: though he was sure enough of Benjamins innocency, and could not upon this occasion, but remember the putting of their money in their sacks, yet he durst not accuse any of Josephs family, nor stand out against him, but yields and submits, as an hopeful way to procure favour with a man of a generous spirit.
iniquity] Our other sins, though free of this.
both we] V. 9.
and he also] Not die, a…, v. 9. but be servant, as, v. 10. is found] He forbears to say that he stole it.
V. 17. He shall be my servants] Joseph confirmes his stewards dealing, v. 10. In Moses Law, for theft restitution should be made, in some cases double, in some fourefold; if the party not able thereto, then to be sold, or become a slave to him from whom he had stollen, Exod. 22. 31. Here Josephs power and their own yielding bindes them.
V. 18. Then Judah came near] Judah before, v. 16. And now Judah more addresseth himself to plead, because he had undertaken for Benjamin, ch. 43. 8. 9.
in my Lords eares] But an Interpreter yet still for ought we reade.
as Pharaoh] And so thine anger would be dreadful and deadly, Prov. 19. 12.
have ye a father] See Annot. on ch. 43. 7.
V. 20. A little one] Ex enuating his age by an officious lie, to excuse his taking so long a journey. See Annot. on ch. 43. 8.
V. 26. We cannot go down] Ch. 43. 5. We will not go down.
V. 27. My wife bare me] Rachel his wife, by way of eminency, first in his choice, and dearest in his love. Leah but by fraud.
V. 28. Torne in pieces] Thus Joseph might perceive how they coloured to their father their dealing with him.
V. 30. Bound up in the Lads life] 1 Sam. 18. 1. If he die, or be thought so, the father cannot live.
V. 33. In stead of the Lad] A filial affection to his old father. And yet love useth more to descend then ascend.
V. 34. How shall I go] He would rather remain here a servant or prisoner.
CHAP. XLV.
Verse 1. REfrain himself before] Upon this supplication of Judah, though hitherto he had refrained, ch. 43. 31.
to go out] He would not have his brethrens fault divulged, nor his own passion, being a man of his place, so openly discovered, as to weepe aloud before others.
V. 2. Wept aloud] No thought of revenge for their cruel usage of him.
heard it] V. 16.
V. 3. Could not answer him] Through astonishment at the wonder; and the prick of their guilty conscience.
V. 4. Come near] They had kept, no doubt at a reverend distance from him so great a Lord.
ye sold] Tells this, not to upbraid them, but to assure them it is he.
V. 5. not grieved] Ch. 31. 35.
nor angry with your selves] He comforts them, 2 Cor, …. 7. Look up to Gods Providence, who turnes your sin to good.
for God did send] V. 8. Ps. 105. 16, 17.
V. 6. Neither earing nor harvest] None, till Joseph supplied them with corne for it the last yeare, ch. 47. 23. or as good as none; few had corne to sowe, few would attempt to sowe, as being to expect little or no increase by Josephs prediction.
V. 8. But God] Ch. 50. 20. Josph cleares not his bre…thren, but he cheeres them up in contemplation of Gods merciful Providence, who turnes their sin to much good. God can and doth bring good out of evil, out Judas sin and others in the death of Christ the salvation of mankinde, Acts 4. 27, 28.
a father to Pharaoh] Judges 17. 10, 11. Gen. 41. 40, 44. As a son follows the direction of a father, so did Pharaoh Josephs.
V. 10. Goshen] A Province between Nilus and the red-sea, very fruitful, ch. 46. 28, 29. 47. 1. 6, 27. Another Goshen in Canaan, Josh. 11. 16. 10. 41. 15. 51. This he saith, presuming of Pharaohs assent, ch. 47. 4, 6.
near unto me] On the City whence he married, and where he most resided was near to Goshen.
V. 12. My mouth] And not an Interpreters, as, chap. 42. 23.
V. 15. He kissed] See Annot. on ch. 20. 13.
talked with him] Having overcome their astonishment and feare, talked of any thing he or they desired to know.
V. 16. And his servants] The Courtiers envied not, but honoured Joseph.
V. 19. Thou art commanded] Thou needest no more authority or instructions from me.
V. 20. Regard not your stuffe] That is not portable. Here you shall be supplied.
V. 22. Changes of raiment] Such as were used to be given for honour or reward, 2 Kings 5. 22. Zech. 3. 4. Judg. 14. 12. Apoc. 6. 11. 7. 9, 14.
Three hundred] Shekels▪ See Annotat. on ch. 20. 16. and on ch. 23. 16.
V. 24. Fall not out by the way] About the selling of me. Reubens former words, ch. 42. 22. occasioned haply this charge.
V. 26. Heart fainted] Between hope and doubt, between joy and feare. Unbelief and doubting weakeneth the heart, Rom. 4 19, 20. Mat. 14. 31.
Believed them not] So he fell into that fainting, swooning fit, Luke 24. 41. They beleeved not for joy, Jacob might the lesse believe them, because of their former lie they had told him of Joseph.
V. 27. Revived] Rose out of that swoone, as it were. His failing of spirit did not altogether take away the use of his sight and senses, but that he saw the wagons.
V. 28. It is enough] Here is proof enough. And it is enough to me that he is alive, and enough for me, if I may be so happy as to see him once before die. chap. 46. 30.