Genesis 45:28

Israel said, it is enough— Two things his sons told him, says Bishop Kidder, viz. that Joseph was alive, and that he was governor of AEgypt; and the latter of the two Joseph required them to tell his father, Genesis 45:9 but, for Joseph's glory and dominion, Jacob does not rejoice as one greatly affected with it. It was his life gave him the joy: he said, It is enough; Joseph, my son, is yet alive! Nothing can more beautifully and nobly express the sentiments of a tender parent, than this exclamation.

The Authors of the Universal History remark, that "the whole conduct of Joseph, from his being first brought into AEgypt to his discovering of himself to his brethren, having been much canvassed and disapproved, it will not be amiss to inquire how far it may be justified even abstracting from the hand of Providence being concerned in it: 1st, then, he is blamed for not having sent word to his father of his condition, who would have redeemed him at any rate; the city of Memphis, where he was sold, not being above eighty miles at most from Hebron, where Jacob dwelt. To this it may be answered, 1. That if he had returned home, his brethren would, in all likelihood, have taken a more effectual way to be rid of him, and, upon the first opportunity, have put their former bloody project in execution; and, 2. That AEgypt being the place where he probably expected the preferment which his dreams had fore-signified to him, it was by no means advisable for him to leave it, but to wait patiently there for the event. 2nd, Again, he is blamed for his rough and unjust usage towards his brethren, which, it is pretended, favours of revenge: but if revenge had been the chief motive of his behaviour, he could have indulged it in a more effectual manner, without any danger of being called to an account for it: whereas it is plain, he had a much better design in it, namely, either to bring their heinous cruelty towards him into their remembrance, as it actually did; see ch. Genesis 42:21. or in order to inform himself of the state of his family, especially of his father, and of his brother Benjamin; or, lastly, to make them relish his future kindness the better for the rough usage they had met with before. The last, and indeed the most considerable thing he is blamed for, is, his sending for his brother Benjamin, which he knew, his former behaviour considered, would cause an infinite deal of grief to his aged father, if not break his heart: and if he refused to send him, the whole family must starve at home, and Simeon remain in bonds. As for the latter part of the charge, Joseph had it still in his power to have remedied it, since, if he had found that his other brethren stayed longer than ordinary, he could but have sent Simeon home with what message and supply he pleased. But as for the other part of his behaviour, his causing Jacob to pass so many days, if not weeks, in all the fear and anxiety, which so dear a son's absence and danger could cause, it cannot easily be justified any other way, than by supposing that Joseph did certainly foresee [by information from Heaven,] what would happen, and that his father's grieving some time for Benjamin, would be so far from endangering his health, that it would only increase his joy when he saw him again, and give a greater relish to the news of his own advancement and success in AEgypt. Without this supposition, it is plain, such a sudden transition from, an excess of sorrow to one of joy, was of itself sufficient to have endangered his life or his senses."

REFLECTIONS.—With eager haste the sons of Jacob fly to their father with this transporting message—Joseph is yet alive. Overcome with the tidings, Jacob's heart faints, and, trembling in hope, he suspects it too good news to be true. But when the evidence is undoubted, and the waggons come in view, his spirit revives, exultation and joy burst from his aged heart, and since Joseph is alive, it is enough: this is the summit of his worldly bliss—he will go and see him before he dies. Note; 1. The waggons of death are coming to remove us to Jesus; let not our trembling hearts faint, but revive at their approach. 2. A sight of their gracious children is among the greatest comforts which aged parents know. 3. To keep death in our view is always useful; for old men it is doubly needful, for it cannot be long before they die.