Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/240

208 would have him eat so much more than the rest, for then he must eat more than would do him good; (and it is no act of friendship, but an injury and unkindness rather, to press any either to eat or drink to excess;) but thus he would testify his particular respect for him, that he might try whether his brethren would envy Benjamin his larger messes, as formerly they had envied him his finer coat. And it must be our rule, in such cases, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have.

CHAP. XLIV. Joseph having entertained his brethren, dismissed them; but here we have them brought back in a greater fright than any they had been in yet. Observe, I. What method he took, both to humble them further, and also to try their affection to his brother Benjamin, by which he would be able to judge of the sincerity of their repentance for what they had done against him, which he was desirous to be satisfied of, before he manifested his reconciliation to them. This he contrived to do by bringing Benjamin into distress, v. 1..17. II. The good success of the experiment; he found them all heartily concerned, and Judah particularly, both for the safety of Benjamin and for the comfort of their aged father, v. 18..34..

ND he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. 2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. 4. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them. Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 5. Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? Ye have done evil in so doing. 6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. 7. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: 8. Behold, the money which we found in our sacks' mouths we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan; how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? 9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. 10. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. 11. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. 12. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 13. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. 14. And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. 15. And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this that ye have done? Wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? 16. And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. 17. And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

Here,

I. Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness. But,

II. He exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves, and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had, (and which it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him,) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it there himself, after his corn was delivered him. If Benjamin had stolen it, it had been the basest piece of dishonesty and ingratitude that could be; and if Joseph, by ordering it to be put there, had designed really to take advantage against him, it had been in him most horrid cruelty and oppression; but it proved in the issue, that there was no harm done, nor any designed on either side. Observe,

1. How the pretended criminals were pursued and arrested, on suspicion of having stolen a silver cup. The steward charged them with ingratitude, rewarding evil for good; with folly, in taking away a cup of daily use, and which therefore would soon be missed, and diligent search made for it; for so it may be read, (v. 5.) 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 no?"

2. How they pleaded for themselves; they solemnly protested their innocence, and detestation of so base a thing; (v. 7.) urged it as an instance of their honesty, that they had brought their money back; (v. 8.) and offered to submit to the severest punishment, if they should be found guilty, v. 9, 10.

3. How the theft was fastened upon Benjamin; in his sack the cup was found, to whom Joseph had been particularly kind. Benjamin, no doubt, was ready to deny upon oath, the taking of the cup, and we may suppose him as little liable to suspicion as any of them; but it is in vain to confront such notorious evidence, the cup is found in his custody; they dare not arraign Joseph's justice, nor so much as suggest that perhaps he that had put their money in their sacks' mouths, had put the cup there; but they throw themselves upon Joseph's mercy. And,

4. Here is their humble submission, v. 16. (1.) They acknowledge the righteousness of God, God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants; perhaps referring to the injury they had formerly done to Joseph, for which they thought God was now