Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/238

206 is kept by deceit. In the stating of accounts, errors must be excepted, even those that make for us, as well as those that make against us. Jacob's words furnish us with a favourable construction to put upon that which we are tempted to resent as an injury and affront; pass it by, and say, Peradventure it was an oversight. 2. He sent double money, as much again as they took the time before, upon supposition that the price of corn might be risen; or, that if it should be insisted upon, they might pay a ransom for Simeon, or his prison-fees? or, to show a generous spirit, that they might be the more likely to find generous treatment with the man, the lord of the land. 3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt, balm and honey, &c. (v. 11.) the commodities that Canaan exported, ch. 37. 25. Note, (1.) Providence dispenses its gifts variously. Some countries produce one commodity, others another, that commerce may be preserved. (2.) Honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, and yet they had balm and myrrh, &c. We may live well enough upon plain food without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God, that that which is most needful and useful, is generally most cheap and common. (3.) A gift in secret pacifies wrath, Pro. 21. 14. Jacob's sons were unjustly accused as spies, yet Jacob is willing to be at the expense of a present, to pacify the accuser. Sometimes we must not think much to buy peace, even there where we may justly demand it, and insist upon it as our right.

III. Jacob's piety appearing in his prayer, v. 14, God Almighty give you mercy before the man! Jacob had formerly turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer; and here he betakes himself to the same tried method, and it sped well. Note, Those that would find mercy with men, must seek it of God, who has all hearts in his hands, and turns them as he pleases.

IV. Jacob's patience; he concludes all with this, "If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved; If I must part with them thus one after another, I must acquiesce, and say, The will of the Lord be done." Note, It is our wisdom to reconcile ourselves to the sorest afflictions, and make the best of them; for there is nothing got by striving with our Maker, 2 Sam. 15. 25, 26.

15. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16. And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. 17. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 18. And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. 19. And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20. And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: 21. And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. 22. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. 23. And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. 24. And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 25. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Jacob's sons, having got leave to take Benjamin with them, were observant of the orders their father had given them, and 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 here for corporal food. Now here we have an account of what passed between them and Joseph's steward, who, some conjecture was in the secret, and knew them to be Joseph's brethren, and helped to humour the thing; I rather think not, because no man must be present when Joseph afterward made himself known to them, ch. 45. 1.

I. Joseph's steward has orders from his master, (who was busy selling corn, and receiving money,) to take them to his house, and make ready for their entertainment. Though Joseph saw Benjamin there, he would not leave his work at working-time, nor trust another with it. Note, Business must take place of civility in its season. Our needful employments must not be neglected, no, not to pay respects to our friends.

II. Even this frightened them; (v. 18.) They were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house. The just challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph's violent suspicions of them, forbade them to expect any favour, and suggested to them, that this was done with a bad design upon them. Note, Those that are guilty and timorous, are apt to make the worst of every thing. Now they thought they should be reckoned with about the money in the sacks' mouths, and should be charged as cheats, and men not fit to be dealt with, who had taken advantage of the hurry of the market, to carry off their corn unpaid for. They therefore laid the case before the steward, that he, being apprised of it, might stand between them and danger. Herein they gave substantial proof of their honesty, that, before they were charged with taking back their money, they produced it. Note, Integrity and uprightness will preserve us, and will clear themselves as the light of the morning.

III. The steward encouraged them; (v. 23.) Peace be to you, fear not; though he knew not what his master drove at, yet, he was aware, these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused them; and therefore he directs them to look at the Divine Providence in the return of their money; Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. Observe, 1. Hereby he shows that he had no suspicion at all of dishonesty in them: for, of what we get by deceit, we cannot say, "God gives it us."