Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/151

 They told  him  that  their  father  lived,  and  was  in  good  health. Then Joseph,  seeing  Benjamin,  inquired  if  that  was  their  youngest brother. They answered: “He  is  our  youngest  brother.”  Then Joseph said:  “God  be  gracious  to  thee,  my  son”;  and,  going  out, he wept,  for  his  heart  was  deeply  touched  at  the  sight  of  his younger brother. Having dried  his  tears  and  washed  his  face,  he returned  to  his  brethren  and  ordered  food  to  be  placed  before them. Then they  were  ordered  to  sit  before  him,  and  he  placed them according  to  their  age,  the  first-born  first,  and  the  youngest last. All received  gifts,  but  Benjamin  received  five  times  more than the  rest. And they  wondered  much.

God rules  over  everything, even  the  hearts  of  men.  For  this  reason Jacob said  when  he  sent  his  sons  back  to  Egypt:  “May  Almighty God make  the  man  favourable  to  you.”  God  governs  the  hearts  of men  by  His  grace. “As the  division  of  the  waters,  so  is  the  heart of the  king  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord. Whithersoever He  will,  He  shall turn it”  (Prov.  21,  1).

Love for  parents.  The  first  thing  Joseph  did  was  to  ask  after  his father. While he  was  at  home,  Joseph  had  loved,  honoured  and  obeyed him, and  been  a joy  to  him;  and  now,  though  he  had  become  so distinguished,  rich  and  powerful,  he  still  loved  his  father  dearly,  and was most  anxious  for  news  of  his  welfare. He thus  observed  the  Fourth Commandment.

Love for  brothers  and  sisters.  Joseph  sincerely  loved  his  brothers. He meant  well  by  them,  and  was  severe  to  them  only  for  the  purpose of doing  them  good. As soon  as  he  was  sure  that  Benjamin  had  suffered no harm  from  them,  he  was  kind  to  them. He did  not  return  evil  for evil, but  rather  good  for  evil. They had  sold  him  for  money,  and  he, in return,  gave  them  plenty  of  corn. They had  thrown  him  into  a pit and nearly  starved  him: he  took  them  into  his  house,  and  feasted  them royally. They had  treated  him  as  a rogue  and  a slave:  he  had  them waited on  like  princes. They remained  unmoved,  when  he  prayed  for