Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09450

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 10KB | 185 lines

09450
 #19-21 Concerning Gad, Jacob alludes to his name, which
 signifies a troop, and foresees the character of that tribe. The
 cause of God and his people, though for a time it may seem to be
 baffled and run down, will be victorious at last. It represents
 the Christian's conflict. Grace in the soul is often foiled in
 its conflicts; troops of corruption overcome it, but the cause
 is God's, and grace will in the end come off conqueror, yea,
 more than conqueror, #Ro 8:37|. Asher should be a rich tribe.
 His inheritance bordered upon Carmel, which was fruitful to a
 proverb. Naphtali, is a hind let loose. We may consider it as a
 description of the character of this tribe. Unlike the laborious
 ox and ass; desirous of ease and liberty; active, but more noted
 for quick despatch than steady labour and perseverance. Like the
 suppliant who, with goodly words, craves mercy. Let not those of
 different tempers and gifts censure or envy one another.

09453
 #22-27 The blessing of Joseph is very full. What Jacob says of
 him, is history as well as prophecy. Jacob reminds him of the
 difficulties and fiery darts of temptations he had formerly
 struggled through. His faith did not fail, but through his
 trials he bore all his burdens with firmness, and did not do
 anything unbecoming. All our strength for resisting temptations,
 and bearing afflictions, comes from God; his grace is
 sufficient. Joseph became the shepherd of Israel, to take care
 of his father and family; also the stone of Israel, their
 foundation and strong support. In this, as in many other things,
 Joseph was a remarkable type of the Good Shepherd, and tried
 Corner Stone of the whole church of God. Blessings are promised
 to Joseph's posterity, typical of the vast and everlasting
 blessings which come upon the spiritual seed of Christ. Jacob
 blessed all his sons, but especially Joseph, "who was separated
 from his brethren." Not only separated in Egypt, but, possessing
 eminent dignity, and more devoted to God. Of Benjamin it is
 said, He shall ravin as a wolf. Jacob was guided in what he said
 by the Spirit of prophecy, and not by natural affection; else he
 would have spoken with more tenderness of his beloved son
 Benjamin. Concerning him he only foresees and foretells, that
 his posterity should be a warlike tribe, strong and daring, and
 that they should enrich themselves with the spoils of their
 enemies; that they should be active. Blessed Paul was of this
 tribe, #Ro 11:1; Php 3:5|; he, in the morning of his day,
 devoured the prey as a persecutor, but in the evening divided
 the spoils as a preacher; he shared the blessings of Judah's
 Lion, and assisted in his victories.

09459
 #28-33 Jacob blessed every one according to the blessings God in
 after-times intended to bestow upon them. He spoke about his
 burial-place, from a principle of faith in the promise of God,
 that Canaan should be the inheritance of his seed in due time.
 When he had finished both his blessing and his charge, and so
 had finished his testimony, he addressed himself to his dying
 work. He gathered up his feet into the bed, not only as one
 patiently submitting to the stroke, but as one cheerfully
 composing himself to rest, now that he was weary. He freely gave
 up his spirit into the hand of God, the Father of spirits. If
 God's people be our people, death will gather us to them. Under
 the care of the Shepherd of Israel, we shall lack nothing for
 body or soul. We shall remain unmoved until our work is
 finished; then, breathing out our souls into His hands for whose
 salvation we have waited, we shall depart in peace, and leave a
 blessing for our children after us.
09465
 * The mourning for Jacob. (1-6) His funeral. (7-14) Joseph's
 brethren crave his pardon, He comforts them. (15-21) Joseph's
 direction concerning his bones, His death. (22-26)

 #1-6 Though pious relatives and friends have lived to a good old
 age, and we are confident they are gone to glory, yet we may
 regret our own loss, and pay respect to their memory by
 lamenting them. Grace does not destroy, but it purifies,
 moderates, and regulates natural affection. The departed soul is
 out of the reach of any tokens of our affection; but it is
 proper to show respect to the body, of which we look for a
 glorious and joyful resurrection, whatever may become of its
 remains in this world. Thus Joseph showed his faith in God, and
 love to his father. He ordered the body to be embalmed, or
 wrapped up with spices, to preserve it. See how vile our bodies
 are, when the soul has forsaken them; they will in a very little
 time become noisome, and offensive.

09471
 #7-14 Jacob's body was attended, not only by his own family, but
 by the great men of Egypt. Now that they were better acquainted
 with the Hebrews, they began to respect them. Professors of
 religion should endeavour by wisdom and love to remove the
 prejudices many have against them. Bystanders took notice of it
 as a grievous mourning. The death of good men is a loss to any
 place, and ought to be greatly lamented.

09479
 #15-21 Various motives might cause the sons of Jacob to continue
 in Egypt, notwithstanding the prophetic vision Abraham had of
 their bondage there. Judging of Joseph from the general temper
 of human nature, they thought he would now avenge himself on
 those who hated and injured him without cause. Not being able to
 resist, or to flee away, they attempted to soften him by
 humbling themselves. They pleaded with him as the servants of
 Jacob's God. Joseph was much affected at seeing this complete
 fulfilment of his dreams. He directs them not to fear him, but
 to fear God; to humble themselves before the Lord, and to seek
 the Divine forgiveness. He assures them of his own kindness to
 them. See what an excellent spirit Joseph was of, and learn of
 him to render good for evil. He comforted them, and, to banish
 all their fears, he spake kindly to them. Broken spirits must be
 bound up and encouraged. Those we love and forgive, we must not
 only do well for, but speak kindly to.

09486
 #22-26 Joseph having honoured his father, his days were long in
 the land, which, for the present, God had given him. When he saw
 his death approaching, he comforted his brethren with the
 assurance of their return to Canaan in due time. We must comfort
 others with the same comforts with which we have been comforted
 of God, and encourage them to rest on the promises which are our
 support. For a confession of his own faith, and a confirmation
 of theirs, he charges them to keep his remains unburied till
 that glorious day, when they should be settled in the land of
 promise. Thus Joseph, by faith in the doctrine of the
 resurrection, and the promise of Canaan, gave commandment
 concerning his bones. This would keep up their expectation of a
 speedy departure from Egypt, and keep Canaan continually in
 their minds. This would also attach Joseph's posterity to their
 brethren. The death, as well as the life of this eminent saint,
 was truly excellent; both furnish us with strong encouragement
 to persevere in the service of God. How happy to set out early
 in the heavenly race, to continue stedfastly, and to finish the
 course with joy! This Joseph did, this we also may do. Even when
 the pains of death are upon us, if we have trusted in Him upon
 whom the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles depended, we need
 not fear to say, "My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the
 strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
09491
 ** The Book of Exodus relates the forming of the children of
 Israel into a church and a nation. We have hitherto seen true
 religion shown in domestic life, now, we begin to trace its
 effects upon the concerns of kingdoms and nations. Exodus
 signifies "the departure;" the chief event therein recorded is
 the departure of Israel from Egypt and Egyptian bondage; it
 plainly points out the fulfilling of several promises and
 prophecies to Abraham respecting his seed, and shadows forth the
 state of the church, in the wilderness of this world, until her
 arrival at the heavenly Canaan, an eternal rest.

 * The children of Israel increase in Egypt after the death of
 Joseph. (8-14) They are oppressed, but multiply exceedingly.
 (1-7) The men-children destroyed. (15-22)

 #1-7 During more than 200 years, while Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
 lived at liberty, the Hebrews increased slowly; only about
 seventy persons went down into Egypt. There, in about the same
 number of years, though under cruel bondage, they became a large
 nation. This wonderful increase was according to the promise
 long before made unto the fathers. Though the performance of
 God's promises is sometimes slow, it is always sure.

09498
 #8-14 The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The
 place where we have been happy, may soon become the place of our
 affliction; and that may prove the greatest cross to us, of
 which we said, This same shall comfort us. Cease from man, and
 say not of any place on this side heaven, This is my rest. All
 that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kind to his brethren for
 his sake; but the best and most useful services a man does to
 others, are soon forgotten after his death. Our great care
 should be, to serve God, and to please him who is not
 unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of
 love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers. There is no
 sight more hateful to a wicked man than the prosperity of the
 righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel
 should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land.
 Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear,
 where no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human
 wisdom often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had
 task-masters set over them, not only to burden them, but to
 afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve
 for Pharaoh's profit, but so that their lives became bitter. The
 Israelites wonderfully increased. Christianity spread most when
 it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the
 church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel,
 do but imagine a vain thing, and create greater vexation to
 themselves.