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v09250
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1994-03-02
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09263
#15-25 Jacob's sons went down the second time into Egypt to buy
corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means,
let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food, as
they did for bodily food. Joseph's steward had orders from his
master to take them to his house. Even this frightened them.
Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing. But the
steward encouraged them. It appears, from what he said, that by
his good master he was brought to the knowledge of the true God,
the God of the Hebrews. Religious servants should take all fit
occasions to speak of God and his providence, with reverence and
seriousness.
09274
#26-34 Observe the great respect Joseph's brethren paid to him.
Thus were Joseph's dreams more and more fulfilled. Joseph showed
great kindness to them. He treated them nobly; but see here the
early distance between Jews and gentiles. In a day of famine, it
is enough to be fed; but they were feasted. Their cares and
fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy,
reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land.
If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be
cheerful. Joseph showed special regard for Benjamin, that he
might try whether his brethren would envy him. It must be our
rule, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what
others have. Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves, more and more
of their need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge
from destruction. He overcomes their unwillingness, and brings
them to himself. Then, as he sees good, he gives them some taste
of his love, and welcomes them to the provisions of his house,
as an earnest of what he further intends for them.
09283
* Joseph's policy to stay his brethren, and try their affection
for Benjamin. (1-17) Judah's supplication to Joseph. (18-34)
#1-17 Joseph tried how his brethren felt towards Benjamin. Had
they envied and hated the other son of Rachel as they had hated
him, and if they had the same want of feeling towards their
father Jacob as heretofore, they would now have shown it. When
the cup was found upon Benjamin, they would have a pretext for
leaving him to be a slave. But we cannot judge what men are now,
by what they have been formerly; nor what they will do, by what
they have done. The steward charged them with being ungrateful,
rewarding evil for good; with folly, in taking away the cup of
daily use, which would soon be missed, and diligent search made
for it; for so it may be read, Is not this it in which my lord
drinketh, as having a particular fondness for it, and for which
he would search thoroughly? Or, By which, leaving it carelessly
at your table, he would make trial whether you were honest men
or not? They throw themselves upon Joseph's mercy, and
acknowledge the righteousness of God, perhaps thinking of the
injury they had formerly done to Joseph, for which they thought
God was now reckoning with them. Even in afflictions wherein we
believe ourselves wronged by men, we must own that God is
righteous, and finds out our sin.