Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09150

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 109 lines

09150
 #20-23 Joseph's interpretation of the dreams came to pass on the
 very day fixed. On Pharaoh's birth-day, all his servants
 attended him, and then the cases of these two came to be looked
 into. We may all profitably take notice of our birth-days, with
 thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the
 sinfulness of our lives, and expectation of the day of our
 death, as better than the day of our birth. But it seems strange
 that worldly people, who are so fond of living here, should
 rejoice at the end of one year after another of their short span
 of life. A Christian has cause to rejoice that he was born, also
 that he comes nearer to the end of his sin and sorrow, and
 nearer to his everlasting happiness. The chief butler remembered
 not Joseph, but forgot him. Joseph had deserved well at his
 hands, yet he forgot him. We must not think it strange, if in
 this world we have hatred shown us for our love, and slights for
 our kindness. See how apt those who are themselves at ease are
 to forget others in distress. Joseph learned by his
 disappointment to trust in God only. We cannot expect too little
 from man, nor too much from God. Let us not forget the
 sufferings, promises, and love of our Redeemer. We blame the
 chief butler's ingratitude to Joseph, yet we ourselves act much
 more ungratefully to the Lord Jesus. Joseph had but foretold the
 chief butler's enlargement, but Christ wrought out ours; he
 mediated with the King of Kings for us; yet we forget him,
 though often reminded of him, and though we have promised never
 to forget him. Thus ill do we requite Him, like foolish people
 and unwise.
09154
 * Pharaoh's dreams. (1-8) Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams.
 (9-32) Joseph's counsel, He is highly advanced. (33-45) Joseph's
 children, The beginning of the famine. (46-57)

 #1-8 The means of Joseph's being freed from prison were
 Pharaoh's dreams, as here related. Now that God no longer speaks
 to us in that way, it is no matter how little we either heed
 dreams, or tell them. The telling of foolish dreams can make no
 better than foolish talk. But these dreams showed that they were
 sent of God; when he awoke, Pharaoh's spirit was troubled.

09162
 #9-32 God's time for the enlargement of his people is the
 fittest time. If the chief butler had got Joseph to be released
 from prison, it is probable he would have gone back to the land
 of the Hebrews. Then he had neither been so blessed himself, nor
 such a blessing to his family, as afterwards he proved. Joseph,
 when introduced to Pharaoh, gives honour to God. Pharaoh had
 dreamed that he stood upon the bank of the river Nile, and saw
 the kine, both the fat ones, and the lean ones, come out of the
 river. Egypt has no rain, but the plenty of the year depends
 upon the overflowing of the river Nile. See how many ways
 Providence has of dispensing its gifts; yet our dependence is
 still the same upon the First Cause, who makes every creature
 what it is to us, be it rain or river. See to what changes the
 comforts of this life are subject. We cannot be sure that
 to-morrow shall be as this day, or next year as this. We must
 learn how to want, as well as how to abound. Mark the goodness
 of God in sending the seven years of plenty before those of
 famine, that provision might be made. The produce of the earth
 is sometimes more, and sometimes less; yet, take one with
 another, he that gathers much, has nothing over; and he that
 gathers little, has no lack, #Ex 16:18|. And see the perishing
 nature of our worldly enjoyments. The great harvests of the
 years of plenty were quite lost, and swallowed up in the years
 of famine; and that which seemed very much, yet did but just
 serve to keep the people alive. There is bread which lasts to
 eternal life, which it is worth while to labour for. They that
 make the things of this world their good things, will find
 little pleasure in remembering that they have received them.

09186
 #33-45 Joseph gave good advice to Pharaoh. Fair warning should
 always be followed by good counsel. God has in his word told us
 of a day of trial before us, when we shall need all the grace we
 can have. Now, therefore, provide accordingly. Pharaoh gave
 Joseph an honourable testimony. He is a man in whom the spirit
 of God is; and such men ought to be valued. Pharaoh puts upon
 Joseph marks of honour. He gave him such a name as spoke the
 value he had for him, Zaphnath-paaneah, "a revealer of secrets."
 This preferment of Joseph encourages all to trust in God. Some
 translate Joseph's new name, "the saviour of the world." The
 brightest glories, even of the upper world, are put upon Christ,
 the highest trust lodged in his hand, and all power given him,
 both in heaven and earth.

09199
 #46-57 In the names of his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim,
 Joseph owned the Divine providence. 1. He was made to forget his
 misery. 2. He was made fruitful in the land of his affliction.
 The seven plenteous years came, and were ended. We ought to look
 forward to the end of the days, both of our prosperity and of
 our opportunity. We must not be secure in prosperity, nor
 slothful in making good use of opportunity. Years of plenty will
 end; what thy hand finds to do, do it; and gather in gathering
 time. The dearth came, and the famine was not only in Egypt, but
 in other lands. Joseph was diligent in laying up, while the
 plenty lasted. He was prudent and careful in giving out, when
 the famine came. Joseph was engaged in useful and important
 labours. Yet it was in the midst of this his activity that his
 father Jacob said, Joseph is not! What a large portion of our
 troubles would be done away if we knew the whole truth! Let
 these events lead us to Jesus. There is a famine of the bread of
 life throughout the whole earth. Go to Jesus, and what he bids
 you, do. Attend to his voice, apply to him; he will open his
 treasures, and satisfy with goodness the hungry soul of every
 age and nation, without money and without price. But those who
 slight this provision must starve, and his enemies will be
 destroyed.