_A.M. 2315. B.C. 1689._ In this chapter Jacob's dying words are recorded, because he speaks by a spirit of prophecy; Abraham's and Isaac's are not. God's gifts and graces shine forth much more in some than in others upon their death-beds. Here is, ( 1,) _ Joseph, hearing of his father's sickness, g... [ Continue Reading ]
Genesis 48:2 ; GENESIS 48:4. _ Israel strengthened himself_ The tidings of Joseph's approach refreshed his spirits, and gave him new strength: and he put forth all the strength he had. _God blessed me_ And let that blessing be entailed upon them. God had promised him two things, a numerous issue, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_For an everlasting possession_ His natural seed should long inherit Canaan, and his spiritual seed enjoy the heavenly inheritance typified by Canaan, for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy two sons are mine_ By adoption: I shall own them as if they were my immediate children, and each of them shall have an equal share both in my present property, and in the future inheritance of Canaan with the rest of my children. Thus Jacob transfers the double portion, which was the right of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy issue after them_ The Scriptures nowhere mention, nor does it appear that Joseph had any more children than these. But Jacob speaks this on supposition that he might, and in case he should have any more. _Shall be thine_ Shall be reputed as thy children and my grand- children, and shall not hav... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rachel died by me_ This circumstance he here mentions, partly because the sight of Joseph and his children brought his beloved Rachel, Joseph's mother, to his remembrance; and partly that he might assign a reason for transferring the right of the firstborn to Joseph, which was not only because Rach... [ Continue Reading ]
_I had not thought to see thy face_ Having many years given him up for lost; _and, lo, God hath showed me also thy seed!_ See here, how these two good men own God in their comforts. Joseph saith, They are _my sons whom God has given me_ And to magnify the favour he adds, _in this place_ of my banish... [ Continue Reading ]
_From between his knees_ Not his own, but _Jacob's_, between which they stood, while Jacob kissed and embraced them, and from which Joseph removed them, that they might not be burdensome to their aged and weak grandfather, and especially that he might place them in a fit order and a reverent posture... [ Continue Reading ]
_The God who fed me_, &c. As long as we have lived in this world we have had continual experience of God's goodness to us in providing for the support of our natural life. Our bodies have called for daily food, and we have never wanted _food convenient._ He that has fed us _all our life long_ will n... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Angel which redeemed me_ Not a created angel surely, but Christ, termed an angel, Exodus 23:20, and _the Angel of the covenant, Malachi 3:1_, and who was the conductor of Israel in the wilderness, 1 Corinthians 10:4. Add to this, that this Angel is called Jacob's _Redeemer_, a title appropriate... [ Continue Reading ]
_It displeased him_ Joseph had placed his children so as that Jacob's right hand should be put on the head of Manasseh the eldest, Genesis 48:12; but Jacob would put it on the head of Ephraim the youngest, Genesis 48:14. This displeased Joseph, who was willing to support the reputation of his firstb... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly his younger brother shall be greater than he_ This prophecy was evidently fulfilled in the posterity of these two children: a convincing proof that Jacob spoke by inspiration of God; for who but he can foresee what is to happen in distant ages? About two hundred years after this, when the _Is... [ Continue Reading ]
_I die, but God shall be with you, and bring you again_ This assurance was given them, and carefully preserved among them, that they might neither love Egypt too much when it favoured them, nor fear it too much when it frowned upon them. These words of Jacob furnish us with comfort in reference to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren_ This seems to have been the parcel of ground near Shechem, which Jacob purchased of Hamor, the prince of the country, (Genesis 33:19,) and which, it is probable, he took or recovered with _his sword_ and _bow_, that is, by force of arms, from _th... [ Continue Reading ]