_Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt._ THE FAMINE IN THE HOUSE OF JACOB I. CONSIDERED IN ITS REARING UPON THE DIVINE PURPOSES CONCERNING THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. II. CONSIDERED IN ITS EFFECT UPON JACOB’S SONS. “Why do ye look one upon another?” This sad question reavealed-- 1. The utmost d... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt_ PROVIDENCE WORKING IN MEN’S LIVES I. The story of Joseph is a good example of what is meant by Providence working for the best in the lives of men. Look at the young foreigner, as he comes to a land not his own; see how he resists the one grea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him_ THE BETRAYERS CONFRONTED WITH THE BETRAYED I. AN INSTANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. II. A PREPARATION FOR GRACE. III. A FORESHADOWING OF GRACE. (_St. J. A. Frere._) KNOWN AND WATCHED I. BOTH OPEN AND SECRET SINNERS ARE KNOWN AND WATCHED BY GOD. II... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are true men_ TRUE LIFE I. THE MISTAKEN ESTIMATE. “We are true men.” Were they? They spoke for themselves, they spoke for one another; but had they a good report of the truth itself? You know better than that--they were not true men, anything but true men. How came it to pass that they formed... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I fear God_ THE FEAR OF GOD 1. The first impression which the human mind receives from the conviction of an over-ruling Power, is that of fear. It is a moral impression. It is made upon the conscience. A feeling of awe at the thought of an invisible witness, who judges and will requite. 2. “... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let one of your brethren be bound_ LESSONS 1. To prove truth among national parties, it is not unequal to give hostages. 2. Hostages being taken it is but equal that parties have liberty to manifest truth. 3. Nature will not, much less grace, dispatch hungry men without food. 4. Bread-corn is... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are verily guilty concerning our brother_ CONSCIENCE AWAKENS IN JOSEPH’S BRETHREN I. Joseph’s brethren had not been placed in any peculiar circumstances of trial since the loss of Joseph; consequently their sin had slept. There had been nothing to call it to light; they had well-nigh forgotten... [ Continue Reading ]
_Do not sin against the child_ DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD Thus Reuben reminded his brethren of his admonition concerning Joseph--thus would I address you with regard to your own children. Note the words of the text: “Spake I not unto you saying, Do not sin against the child?” The essence of sin... [ Continue Reading ]
_He turned himself about from them and wept_ JOSEPH’S FEELINGS ON SEEING HIS BRETHREN After the lapse of twenty years, Joseph on seeing his brethren wept. Why, he might have been vengeful! It is easy for us glibly to read the words, “Joseph turned himself about and wept.” But consider what the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
_My money is restored; and lo, it is even in my sack: and their hearts failed them_ THE MISERIES OF AN AWAKENED CONSCIENCE I. THEY PURSUE THE SINNER EVERYWHERE. II. THEY DRIVE THE SINNER TO PUT THE WORST CONSTRUCTION UPON EVERY EVENT. III. THEY ARE INTENDED TO LEAD THE SINNER TO REPENTANCE. (_T.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They came unto Jacob_ LESSONS 1. Providence carrieth guilty souls in, through, and out of temporal dangers at His will. 2. Gracious fathers are gratified sometimes from God by safe return of sinful children. 3. Reason will instruct men to declare all events of Providence furthering, or hinderi... [ Continue Reading ]
_All these things are against me_ THE CONFLICT OF LIFE So spoke the patriarch Jacob when Joseph had been made away with, Simeon was detained in Egypt, Benjamin threatened, and his remaining sons were suspected by him and distrusted; when at his door was a grievous famine, enemies or strangers roun... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slay my two sons_ AN UNLAWFUL MODE OF SPEAKING I will give you leave to take away my life, unless I do this or that. Such modes of speaking as this do not become the mouths of the disciples of our Redeemer. How do we know what we shall be able to do a day or an hour hence? We ought to say, If we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bring down my gray hairs with sorrow_ GRACELESS CHILDREN Some graceless children despise their fathers and their mothers when they are old, and when their grey hairs claim reverence or compassion. If we must bow before the man of hoary hairs, although he is a stranger, what reverence do we owe t... [ Continue Reading ]