Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 7KB | 123 lines

09300
 #18-34 Had Joseph been, as Judah supposed him, an utter stranger
 to the family, he could not but be wrought upon by his powerful
 reasonings. But neither Jacob nor Benjamin need an intercessor
 with Joseph; for he himself loved them. Judah's faithful
 cleaving to Benjamin, now, in his distress, was recompensed long
 afterwards by the tribe of Benjamin keeping with the tribe of
 Judah, when the other tribes deserted it. The apostle, when
 discoursing of the mediation of Christ, observes, that our Lord
 sprang out of Judah, #Heb 7:14|; and he not only made
 intercession for the transgressors, but he became a Surety for
 them, testifying therein tender concern, both for his Father and
 for his brethren. Jesus, the great antitype of Joseph, humbles
 and proves his people, even after they have had some tastes of
 his loving-kindness. He brings their sins to their remembrance,
 that they may exercise and show repentance, and feel how much
 they owe to his mercy.
09317
 * Joseph comforts his brethren, and sends for his father. (1-15)
 Pharaoh confirms Joseph's invitation, Joseph's gifts to his
 brethren. (16-24) Jacob receives the news of Joseph's being
 alive. (25-28)

 #1-15 Joseph let Judah go on, and heard all he had to say. He
 found his brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself,
 for Judah had mentioned him twice in his speech, respectful to
 their father, and very tender of their brother Benjamin. Now
 they were ripe for the comfort he designed, by making himself
 known. Joseph ordered all his attendants to withdraw. Thus
 Christ makes himself and his loving-kindness known to his
 people, out of the sight and hearing of the world. Joseph shed
 tears of tenderness and strong affection, and with these threw
 off that austerity with which he had hitherto behaved toward his
 brethren. This represents the Divine compassion toward returning
 penitents. "I am Joseph, your brother." This would humble them
 yet more for their sin in selling him, but would encourage them
 to hope for kind treatment. Thus, when Christ would convince
 Paul, he said, I am Jesus; and when he would comfort his
 disciples, he said, It is I, be not afraid. When Christ
 manifests himself to his people, he encourages them to draw near
 to him with a true heart. Joseph does so, and shows them, that
 whatever they thought to do against him, God had brought good
 out of it. Sinners must grieve and be angry with themselves for
 their sins, though God brings good out of it, for that is no
 thanks to them. The agreement between all this, and the case of
 a sinner, on Christ's manifesting himself to his soul, is very
 striking. He does not, on this account, think sin a less, but a
 greater evil; and yet he is so armed against despair, as even to
 rejoice in what God hath wrought, while he trembles in thinking
 of the dangers and destruction from which he has escaped. Joseph
 promises to take care of his father and all the family. It is
 the duty of children, if the necessity of their parents at any
 time require it, to support and supply them to the utmost of
 their ability; this is showing piety at home, #1Ti 5:4|. After
 Joseph had embraced Benjamin, he caressed them all, and then his
 brethren talked with him freely of all the affairs of their
 father's house. After the tokens of true reconciliation with the
 Lord Jesus, sweet communion with him follows.

09332
 #16-24 Pharaoh was kind to Joseph, and to his relations for his
 sake. Egypt would make up the losses of their removal. Thus
 those for whom Christ intends his heavenly glory, ought not to
 regard the things of this world. The best of its enjoyments are
 but lumber; we cannot make sure of them while here, much less
 can we carry them away with us. Let us not set our eyes or
 hearts upon the world; there are better things for us in that
 blessed land, whither Christ, our Joseph, is gone to prepare a
 place. Joseph dismissed his brethren with a seasonable caution,
 "See that ye fall not out by the way." He knew they were too apt
 to be quarrelsome; and having forgiven them all, he lays this
 charge upon them, not to upbraid one another. This command our
 Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, and that
 whatever happens, or has happened, we fall not out. For we are
 brethren, we have all one Father. We are all guilty, and instead
 of quarrelling with one another, have reason to fall out with
 ourselves. We are, or hope to be, forgiven of God, whom we have
 all offended, and, therefore, should be ready to forgive one
 another. We are "by the way," a way through the land of Egypt,
 where we have many eyes upon us, that seek advantage against us;
 a way that leads to the heavenly Canaan, where we hope to be for
 ever in perfect peace.

09341
 #25-28 To hear that Joseph is alive, is too good news to be
 true; Jacob faints, for he believes it not. We faint, because we
 do not believe. At length, Jacob is convinced of the truth.
 Jacob was old, and did not expect to live long. He says, Let my
 eyes be refreshed with this sight before they are closed, and
 then I need no more to make me happy in this world. Behold Jesus
 manifesting himself as a Brother and a Friend to those who once
 were his despisers, his enemies. He assures them of his love and
 the riches of his grace. He commands them to lay aside envy,
 anger, malice, and strife, and to live in peace with each other.
 He teaches them to give up the world for him and his fulness. He
 supplies all that is needful to bring them home to himself, that
 where he is they may be also. And though, when he at last sends
 for his people, they may for a time feel some doubts and fears,
 yet the thought of seeing his glory and of being with him, will
 enable them to say, It is enough, I am willing to die; and I go
 to see, and to be with the Beloved of my soul.
09345
 * God's promises to Jacob. (1-4) Jacob and his family go to
 Egypt. (5-27) Joseph meets his father and his brethren. (28-34)

 #1-4 Even as to those events and undertakings which appear most
 joyful, we should seek counsel, assistance, and a blessing from
 the Lord. Attending on his ordinances, and receiving the pledges
 of his covenant love, we expect his presence, and that peace
 which it confers. In all removals we should be reminded of our
 removal out of this world. Nothing can encourage us to fear no
 evil when passing through the valley of the shadow of death, but
 the presence of Christ.

09349
 #5-27 We have here a particular account of Jacob's family.
 Though the fulfilling of promises is always sure, yet it is
 often slow. It was now 215 years since God had promised Abraham
 to make of him a great nation, ch. #12:2|; yet that branch of
 his seed, to which the promise was made sure, had only increased
 to seventy, of whom this particular account is kept, to show the
 power of God in making these seventy become a vast multitude.