_A.M. 2297. B.C. 1707._ We have in this chapter, (1,) _ The humble application of Jacob's sons to Joseph, to buy corn, Genesis 42:1._ (2,) _ The fright Joseph put them into, for their trial, Genesis 42:7._ (3,) _ The conviction they were now under of their sin concerning Joseph long before, Gene... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Jacob saw_ That is, heard, as the word is used, Exodus 20:18; or saw the corn which his neighbours had bought there and brought home. _Why look ye one upon another?_ As careless and helpless persons, each one expecting relief from the other; but none offering either counsel or help for the sub... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph's brethren came and bowed themselves before him_ Some have inferred from this that the names of all the strangers that came to buy corn in Egypt were brought to Joseph and registered; and such persons or families as were any way remarkable, were brought before him. Thus his brethren would of... [ Continue Reading ]
We may well wonder that Joseph, during the twenty years he had been in Egypt, especially during the last seven years that he had been in power there, never sent to his father to acquaint him with his circumstances; nay, it is strange that he, who so oft _went through all the land of Egypt_, never ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_He remembered the dreams_ But they had forgotten them. The laying up of God's oracles in our hearts will be of excellent use to us in all our conduct. Joseph had an eye to his dreams, which he knew to be divine, in his carriage toward his brethren, and aimed at the accomplishment of them, and the b... [ Continue Reading ]
_By the life of Pharaoh_ As sure as Pharaoh lives, or as I value the life of Pharaoh. A solemn protestation, as Judah, who heard it, and must have understood its meaning, explains it to his father, Genesis 43:3; _The man did solemnly protest unto us._ It seems, however, to have been the form of an o... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I fear God_ This was a very encouraging word unto them. It is as if he had said, You may assure yourselves I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know that, as high as I am, there is one higher than I. With those that _fear God_ we have reason to expect fair dealing: the fear of God will be... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are verily guilty_ This is the just punishment of that wickedness which we committed against our brother. Though we could conceal it from men, we now see and feel it was known to God, who is reckoning with us for it. Thus the divine vengeance overtakes them, and conscience tortures them for a si... [ Continue Reading ]
_He spake by an interpreter_ Joseph's pretending not to understand their language was a wise piece of art, as by that means he discovered their real sentiments, as it appears they spoke to one another in their own language without reserve before him, probably when the interpreter was gone forth.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their heart failed them, and they were afraid_ Their awakened consciences set their sins in order before them, made them afraid of every thing, and threw them into the utmost dismay and consternation. _Saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?_ They knew that the Egyptians abh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Me have ye bereaved of my children_ Who can read Jacob's lamentation here without being moved by it? He considers Simeon as already dead, being in the power of so rough a man as they described the lord of the country to be: he reflects on his former loss of Joseph, and he looks on Benjamin, the onl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slay my two sons_ This was a very rash and absurd proposal. What authority had Reuben to dispose of the lives of his children? And how could the murder of two grandchildren compensate Jacob for the loss of Benjamin? Besides, how did he know that Benjamin, if he went, would live to return, or that h... [ Continue Reading ]
_My son shall not go down with you_ Nothing can be more tender than this verse: it melts us while we read it, and is so expressive that it sets the venerable old patriarch full before our eyes. _His brother is dead, and he is left alone_ He plainly intimates a distrust of them, remembering that he n... [ Continue Reading ]