Genesis 43:34

John 2:10

REFLECTIONS

Reader! let you and I turn from the table of Joseph amidst his brethren, while they are thus merry and happy with him, to consider the spiritual interest which we have in these things.

The world which we dwell in, like that of Canaan to the Patriarch's family, is a world of famine in bread for the soul. And if you know what spiritual hunger means, you will know also that this heavenly corn for ourselves and our household, can nowhere else be had but of the lord of the country, even from the LORD JESUS; of whom Joseph was the type. Shall we not arise and go to him? We will not, like Jacob's sons, take a present in our hand, for he is too rich to be benefited by our favors: and his blessings are too great to come within the price of purchase. But like Jacob, let us pray that GOD Almighty may give us mercy before the man, even the GOD-MAN CHRIST JESUS.

Dearest LORD, behold us now before thee! Oh! say to thy stewards the ministers of thy table as Joseph did to his: bring these men home and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon. And oh! the wonderful condescension, JESUS indeed receiveth sinners and eateth with them. We see thy face. We behold thy glory. We hear thy voice. We rejoice and are merry like the brethren of Joseph, while our brother JESUS saith, Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. And dearest Redeemer! we would pray do thou make our meeting gracious in drawing nigh to us by thy HOLY SPIRIT, in opening to our minds the Holy Scriptures, and in making thyself known to us in breaking of bread and in prayer. Then shall we fully understand and have our souls refreshed indeed in the experience, that thy flesh is meat indeed, and thy blood drink indeed.