Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/244

212 Egypt; (v. 9.) they must tell him of all his glory there, v. 13. He knew it would be a refreshing oil to his hoary head, and a sovereign cordial to his spirits. If any thing would make him young again, this would. He desires them to give themselves, and take with them to their father, all possible satisfaction of the truth of these surprising tidings, (v. 12.) Your eyes see that it is my mouth. If they would recollect themselves, they might remember something of his features, speech, &c. and be satisfied.

2. He is very earnest that his father and all his family should come to him to Egypt; Come down unto me, tarry not, v. 9. He allots his dwelling in Goshen, that part of Egypt which lay toward Canaan, that they might be mindful of the country from which they were to come out, v. 10. He promises to provide for him, (v. 11.) I will nourish. Note, It is the duty of children, if the necessity of their parents do at any time require it, to support and supply them to the utmost of their ability; and Corban will never excuse them, Mark 7. 11. This is showing piety at home, 1 Tim. 5. 4. Our Lord Jesus being, like Joseph, exalted to the highest honours and powers of the upper world, it is his will that all that are his, should be with him where he is, John 17. 24. This is his commandment, that we be with him now in faith and hope, and a heavenly conversation; and this is his promise, that we shall be for ever with him.

VI. Endearments were interchanged between him and his brethren. He began with the youngest, his own brother Benjamin, who was but about a year old when he was separated from his brethren; they wept on each other's neck, (v. 14.) perhaps to think of their mother Rachel, who died in travail of Benjamin. Rachel, in her husband Jacob, had been lately weeping for her children, because, in his apprehension, they were not, Joseph gone, and Benjamin going; and now they are weeping for her, because she was not. After he had embraced Benjamin, he, in like manner, caressed them all; (v. 15.) and then, his brethren talked with him freely and familiarly of all the affairs of their father's house. After the tokens of true reconciliation, follow the instances of a sweet communion.

16. And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 17. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; 18. And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. 19. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours. 21. And the children of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. 23. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. 24. So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

Here is,

I. The kindness of Pharaoh to Joseph, and to his relations, for his sake; he bade his brethren welcome, (v. 16.) though it was a time of scarcity, and they were likely to be a charge to him. Nay, because it pleased Pharaoh, it pleased his servants too, at least they pretended to be pleased, because Pharaoh was. He engaged Joseph to send for his father down to Egypt, and promised to furnish them with all conveniences both for his removal thither, and his settlement there. If the good of all the land of Egypt (as it was now better stocked than any other land, thanks to Joseph, under God,) would suffice him, he was welcome to it all, it was all his own, even the fat of the land, (v. 18.) so that they need not regard their stuff, v. 20. What they had in Canaan he reckoned but stuff, in comparison with what he had for them in Egypt; and therefore if they should leave some of that behind them, let them not be discontented; Egypt would afford them enough to make up the losses of their remove. Thus those for whom Christ intends shares in his heavenly glory, ought not to regard the stuff of this world; the best of its enjoyments are but stuff, but lumber; we cannot make sure of it while we are here, much less can we carry it away with us; let us not therefore be solicitous about it, nor set our eyes or hearts upon it: there are better things reserved for us in that blessed land, whither our Joseph is gone to prepare a place.

II. The kindness of Joseph to his father and brethren. Pharaoh was respectful to Joseph, in gratitude, because he had been an instrument of much good to him and his kingdom, not only preserving it from the common calamity, but helping to make it considerable among the nations; for all their neighbours would say, "Surely the Egyptians are a wise and understanding people, that are so well stocked in a time of scarcity." For this reason, Pharaoh never thought any thing too much he could do for Joseph. Note, There is a gratitude owing even to inferiors; and when any have showed us kindness, we should study to requite it, not only to them, but to their relations. And Joseph likewise was respectful to his father and brethren in duty, because they were his near relations, though his brethren had been his enemies, and his father long a stranger.

1. He furnished them for necessity, v. 21. He gave them wagons and provisions for the way, both going and coming; for we never find that Jacob was very rich, and at this time, when the famine prevailed, we may suppose that he was rather poor.

2. He furnished them for ornament and delight. To his brethren he gave two suits a piece of good clothes, to Benjamin five suits, and money besides in his pocket, v. 22. To his father he gave a very handsome present of the varieties of Egypt, v. 23. Note, Those that are wealthy, should be generous, and devise liberal things; what is an abundance good for but to do good with it?

3. He dismissed them with a seasonable caution, (v. 24.) See that ye fall not out by the way. He knew they were but too apt to be quarrelsome; and what had lately passed, which revived the remembrance of what they had done formerly against their brother, might give them occasion to quarrel. Joseph had observed them contend about it, ch. 42. 22.