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Genesis Chapter
Forty-three
Genesis 43
Chapter Contents
Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin into Egypt. (1-14)
Joseph's reception of his brethren
their fears. (15-25) Joseph makes a feast
for his brethren. (26-34)
Commentary on Genesis 43:1-14
Jacob urges his sons to go and buy a little food; now
in
time of dearth
a little must suffice. Judah urges that Benjamin should go with
them. It is not against the honour and duty children owe their parents
humbly
to advise them
and when needful
to reason with them. Jacob saw the necessity
of the case
and yielded. His prudence and justice appeared in three things. 1.
He sent back the money they had found in the sack. Honesty obliges us to
restore not only that which comes to us by our own fault
but that which comes
to us by the mistakes of others. Though we get it by oversight
if we keep it
when the oversight is discovered
it is kept by deceit. 2. He sent as much
again as they took the time before; the price of corn might be risen
or they
might have to pay a ransom for Simeon. 3. He sent a present of such things as
the land afforded
and as were scarce in Egypt
balm
and honey
&c.
Providence dispenses not its gifts to all alike. But honey and spice will never
make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan
yet they had
balm and myrrh
&c. We may live well enough upon plain food
without
dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God
that what is most needful and useful
generally is most cheap and common.
Though men value very highly their gold and silver
and the luxuries which are
counted the best fruits of every land
yet in a time of famine they willingly
barter them for bread. And how little will earthly good things stand us in
stead in the day of wrath! How ready should we be to renounce them all
as
loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Our way to prevail
with man is by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But
Thy will
be done
should close every petition for the mercies of this life
or against
the afflictions of this life.
Commentary on Genesis 43:15-25
Jacob's sons went down the second time into Egypt to buy
corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means
let us not think
it much to travel as far for spiritual food
as they did for bodily food.
Joseph's steward had orders from his master to take them to his house. Even
this frightened them. Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing. But
the steward encouraged them. It appears
from what he said
that by his good
master he was brought to the knowledge of the true God
the God of the Hebrews.
Religious servants should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his
providence
with reverence and seriousness.
Commentary on Genesis 43:26-34
Observe the great respect Joseph's brethren paid to him.
Thus were Joseph's dreams more and more fulfilled. Joseph showed great kindness
to them. He treated them nobly; but see here the early distance between Jews
and gentiles. In a day of famine
it is enough to be fed; but they were
feasted. Their cares and fears were now over
and they ate their bread with
joy
reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land. If God
accept our works
our present
we have reason to be cheerful. Joseph showed
special regard for Benjamin
that he might try whether his brethren would envy
him. It must be our rule
to be content with what we have
and not to grieve at
what others have. Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves
more and more of their
need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge from destruction. He
overcomes their unwillingness
and brings them to himself. Then
as he sees
good
he gives them some taste of his love
and welcomes them to the provisions
of his house
as an earnest of what he further intends for them.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Genesis》
Genesis 43
Verse 9
[9] I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require
him: if I bring him not unto thee
and set him before thee
then let me bear
the blame for ever:
Judah's conscience had lately smitten him for what he had
done a great while ago against Joseph; and as an evidence of the truth of his
repentance
he is ready to undertake
as far as a man could do it
for
Benjamin's security. He will not only not wrong him but will do all he can to protect
him. This is such restitution as the case will admit: when he knew not how he
could retrieve Joseph
he would make some amends for the irreparable injury he
had done him
by doubling his care concerning Benjamin.
Verse 11
[11] And their father Israel said unto them
If it must be so
now
do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels
and carry
down the man a present
a little balm
and a little honey
spices
and myrrh
nuts
and almonds:
If it must be so now
take your brother — If no corn can be had
but upon those terms
as good expose him to the perils of the journey
as
suffer ourselves and families
and Benjamin among the rest
to perish for want
of bread: it is no fault
but our wisdom and duty
to alter our resolutions
when there is a good reason for so doing: constancy is a virtue
but obstinacy
is not: it is God's prerogative to make unchangeable resolves.
Verse 12
[12] And take double money in your hand; and the money that
was brought again in the mouth of your sacks
carry it again in your hand;
peradventure it was an oversight:
Take double money — As much again as they
took the time before
upon supposition that the price of corn might be risen
or that
if it should be insisted upon
they might pay a ransom for Simeon. And
he sent a present of such things as the land afforded
and were scarce in
Egypt
the commodities that Canaan exported.
Verse 14
[14] And God Almighty give you mercy before the man
that he
may send away your other brother
and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my
children
I am bereaved.
God almighty give you mercy before the man! — Jacob had formerly
turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer
and here
he betakes himself to the same tried method. Those that would find mercy with
men must seek it of God. He concludes all with this
if I be bereaved of my
children
I am bereaved - If I must part with them thus one after another
I
acquiesce and say
The will of the Lord be done.
Verse 23
[23] And he said
Peace be to you
fear not: your God
and
the God of your father
hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your
money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
Your God
and the God of your father
has given you
treasure in your sacks — Hereby he shews that he had no suspicion of dishonesty
in them: for what we get by deceit we cannot say God gives it us. He silences
their farther enquiry about it: ask not how it came thither
providence brought
it you
and let that satisfy you. It appears by what he said
that by his
master's instructions he was brought to the knowledge of the true God
the God
of the Hebrews. He directs them to look up to God
and acknowledge his
providence in the good bargain they had. We must own ourselves indebted to God
as our God
and the God of our fathers
(a God in covenant with us and them)
for all our successes and advantages
and the kindnesses of our friends; for
every creature is that to us
and no more
than God makes it to be.
Verse 26
[26] And when Joseph came home
they brought him the present
which was in their hand into the house
and bowed themselves to him to the
earth.
When they brought him the present
they bowed themselves
before him
and again
when they gave him an account of their father's health
they made obeisance
and called him
Thy servant
our father - Thus were
Joseph's dreams fulfilled more and more; and even the father
by the sons
bowed before him. Probably Jacob had directed them
if they had occasion to
speak of him to the man
the Lord of the land
to call him his servant.
Verse 29
[29] And he lifted up his eyes
and saw his brother Benjamin
his mother's son
and said
Is this your younger brother
of whom ye spake unto
me? And he said
God be gracious unto thee
my son.
God be gracious unto thee
my son — Joseph's favour
though he was the lord of the land
would do him little good
unless God were
gracious to him.
Verse 33
[33] And they sat before him
the firstborn according to his
birthright
and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one
at another.
He placed his brethren according to their seniority
as
if he could certainly divine. Some think they placed themselves so according to
their custom; but if so
I see not why such particular notice is taken of it
especially as a thing they marvelled at.
Verse 34
[34] And he took and sent messes unto them from before him:
but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank
and were merry with him.
They drank and were merry — Their cares and fears
were now over
and they eat their bread with joy
concluding they were now upon
good terms with the man
the lord of the land. If God accept our works
our
present
we have reason to be chearful.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Genesis》
43 Chapter 43
Verses 1-14
Go again
buy us a little food
Jacob under the pressure of want
I.
His
CHANGE OF RESOLUTION (Genesis 43:11-14).
II. His PIETY
THROUGHOUT.
1. His faith in God.
2. His honest principle.
3. It is no reflection on his piety that he changed his purpose.
Consistent with the unchanging truth of God
with the eternal law
of righteousness
we must and ought to be; but not invariably consistent with
ourselves; for our goodness is imperfect
and we are liable to mistake and
error. Instead of adjusting our present conduct to our former habits and
thoughts
we should act upon our present convictions
leaving the present and
the past to reconcile themselves as they may. It is only by looking continually
to God
and not to ourselves
that we can walk sure-footedly in the present
life. (T. H. Leale.)
The second journey of Joseph’s brethren into Egypt
I. THE JOURNEY.
1. The resolve of Jacob to send at last his son Benjamin to Egypt.
In this consent of Jacob we read a double instance of faith
faith in God and
in man.
2. Jacob’s honesty (Genesis 43:12). We are bound not only to
return that which is ours unjustly
but also that which is ours by the
oversight or mistake of others. But there is another way of looking at this act
of Jacob’s. It seems somewhat to savour of his disposition to mollify and
appease his enemies by presents; as
when he dreaded the enmity of Esau
he
sent presents to him
flattering him with the name of god. And if it be so
we
find here that which tells
not of honesty
but of pliancy.
3. The change of Jacob’s resolution in permitting Benjamin to go. At
first we might be inclined to charge him with inconsistency
but the
circumstances were changed
and the only choice now left him was between famine
for them all and the loss of one son.
II. THE ARRIVAL IN
EGYPT.
1. The fear of Joseph’s brethren when invited to Joseph’s house.
They came dreading some misfortune. They were suspicious of Joseph’s
intentions. They could not but think that he wished to entrap them and make
bondsmen of them. And this fear of theirs arose partly out of their own
capability for a similar act of treachery. “Thus conscience doth make cowards
of us all.” It is the worst penalty of a deceitful and crooked disposition that
it always dreads being overreached.
2. In the next place we observe the bowing down of the brethren
before Joseph (Genesis 43:26). This was an exact fulfilment
of one of his early dreams
when the sun
moon
and eleven stars bowed down
before him. But Joseph was now changed; he had been too much saddened by
misfortune
and was far too much accustomed to Egyptian homage
to find any
real pleasure in this
from which he had formerly expected so much. For us this
is a pregnant example of the illusiveness of human life. Now that his dream was
fulfilled to the very letter
he could not enjoy it.
3. We next observe Joseph’s relief in the indirect utterance of his
feelings. He asked
“Is your father yet alive
and your youngest brother?”
&c. (Genesis 43:27).
4. The feast of brotherhood. (F. W. Robertson
M. A.)
Lessons from Jacob’s behaviour at this crisis
1. Did he at length admit the necessity of making the sacrifice
which he declared he would never make? Let us never be ashamed to retract any
hasty and improper resolution which we have ever formed. And when we perceive
how necessary it is to give up any idol
or any forbidden indulgence
let us
not hesitate a moment to act upon our convictions. No delays are so dangerous
as those which take place between the formation and the performance of a good
resolution.
2. Again
we must not attempt to procure the favour of Him who sits
upon the throne of grace by any present that we have to bring
or any payment
that we have to make. While we are willing to part with everything for the sake
of Christ
we are not to bring anything as the price of our salvation
or to
offer anything that we have
or anything that we can do
to recommend us to His
favour.
3. Again
let us never forget that the desire for His salvation
and
the broken and contrite heart which He has promised to accept
must come from
God. The preparation of the heart of man is from the Lord. We must bring our
heart when we come into His presence
and it must be upright and contrite if we
would see His face in peace. But He only
who requires such a heart as this
can produce it for us.
4. For here
observe
the importance of a praying spirit is
especially to be seen in Jacob’s behaviour at this time. When he sent his sons
away
it was with the humble and earnest petition--God Almighty give you favour
before the man. Prayer ever was
and ever must be
the distinguishing mark of
all the true sons of Jacob.
5. Lastly
Jacob at length determined to acquiesce in the
appointments of Divine Providence
whatever they might be. So let every true
penitent resolve to do
and he is certain eventually to be delivered out of all
his fears. (C. Overton.)
Jacob’s prayer
1. The character under which the Lord is addressed--“God Almighty
”
or God all-sufficient. This was the name under which Abraham was blessed
and
which was used by Isaac in blessing Jacob. Doubtless Jacob
in putting up this
prayer
thought of these covenant promises and blessings
and that it was the
prayer of faith.
2. The mistake on which the prayer is founded
which yet was
acceptable to God. He prayed for the turning of the man’s heart in a way of
mercy; but the man’s heart did not need turning. Yet Jacob thought it did
and
had no means of knowing otherwise. The truth of things may in some cases be o
concealed from us
to render us more importunate; and this importunity
though it
may appear at last to have been unnecessary
yet being right according as
circumstances appeared at the time
God will approve of it
and we shall find
our account in it.
3. The resignation with which he concludes: “If I am bereaved
I am
bereaved!” It is God’s usual way
in trying those whom He loves
to touch them
in the tenderest part. Herein the trial consists. If there be one object round
which the heart has entwined more than all others
that is it which is likely
to be God’s rival
and of that we must be deprived. Yet if when it goes
we
humbly resign it up into God’s hands
it is not unusual for Him to restore it
to US
and that with more than double interest. (A. Fuller.)
The second visit to Egypt
I. JACOB’S
ENTREATY.
1. The occasion of it. Continuance of the famine. How dreary the
prospect. Barren earth. Languishing cattle. Dry river-beds. The heavens as
brass.
2. The character of it. “Buy us a little food.”
II. JUDAH’S
EXPOSTULATION. He at once assures his father that it is of no use except Benjamin
goes too; and refuses to go without him
as a useless and perilous experiment.
III. THE BROTHERS’
MEETING. They once more set out for Egypt. In due time they stand in the
presence of the great lord. Joseph sees and recognizes Benjamin. Commands that
a banquet shall be prepared in his own house. This new kindness filled them
with new fear. They thought they were being ensnared
and would be sold as
bondmen. Yet they had done to Joseph the very thing they feared to receive at
his hands. Having had no opportunity of speaking to Joseph
they explain to the
steward. He encourages them. Tells them not to fear. Reminds them of God’s
mercy. Joseph’s present is therefore prepared
and they await the issue. In all
this see how a guilty conscience destroys enjoyment of happy circumstances. If
a man is right within
all will be right without; if he be wrong
all will be
wrong. Learn:
I. To be thankful
for plenty.
II. To pity the
distressed.
III. Sin brings its
own punishment.
IV. The brothers’
meeting may remind us of our future meeting with our Elder Brother. (J. G.
Gray.)
If thou wilt send our
brother
A reasonable condition
“Children
obey your parents in the Lord
for this is right.” But
let parents take heed that they provoke not their children to resist their
commands
by enjoining that which is unjust
unreasonable
or impracticable.
Judah was justifiable in making conditions with his own venerable father. But
to object to the commands of a parent
without an urgent reason
is consistent
neither with the law of Christ
nor with the law of nature. The command of
Jacob was not simply to go to Egypt
but to go and fetch corn from Egypt. This
was impracticable
unless Benjamin went along with his brethren. Every wise man
will consider
when he undertakes a journey
or any great work
for what
purpose it is designed
and how it may be executed
so as to answer the end.
What man would have travelled all the way from the place where Jacob sojourned
in Canaan to Egypt
to buy corn in the time of famine
without the prospect of
being able to obtain it? What man will plough or sow his land
without the
prospect of a crop? What wise man will undertake any religious employment
without the prospect of obtaining the wished advantage to be found in the
service of God? If those who call themselves the children of light
were half
as wise in their generation as the children of this world
when they wish to
have the oil of grace
they would go to those who sell before the door is shut
and would not go without their Elder Brother
without whom no man can come to
the Father with acceptance. It is said of the famous Themistocles
that when he
fled for refuge to Admetus
king of Thessaly
he took the king’s infant son in
his arms
and obtained what he requested. He had been told that this was the
law of the court of Admetus. And this is the law of God’s house
that we cannot
come with success to the throne of God’s grace
but in the name of Christ
the
only mediator between God and sinful men. (G. Lawson
D. D.)
If it must be so now
do
this
Jacob yields to persuasion
“A fool rageth
and is confident”; but a wise man will yield to
reason
be it from a servant
from a son
from a wife
or from any other
person
though inferior to himself
in station
in good sense
or in holiness.
“Ye younger
be subject to the elder
yea
all of you be subject one to
another; and be clothed with humility
for God resisteth the proud
and giveth
grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:3). Here you have an
illustration of the apostle’s precept
and the reason by which it is enforced.
Jacob’s sons submitted to their father in going down to Egypt
and their father
complied with them in sending Benjamin along with them; and God crowned their designs
with success
and gave them wonderful displays of His favour in the event of
their journey. How was Jacob persuaded to comply with a motion so adverse to
his feelings? Not by Reuben’s
but by Judah’s solicitations. Judah addressed
his father in words of wisdom and meekness
He set before him the absolute
necessity of parting with Benjamin for a time
and the great comfort to be
expected in the issue. Far was he from reproaching his father for his manifest
partiality to this favourite son
but he gave him full assurance that his
partiality should be gratified
if possible and necessary; for when Judah
became surety for him
he
in effect
engaged to stand between him and every
danger; and this promise he did not fail to perform. Complain not
young persons
of tyranny in your parents
when the truth probably is
that you have not
learned to treat with due reverence the fathers of your flesh. Do they refuse
to comply with your wishes? Can you say with uprightness
that your desires
were such as ought to have been granted? And if this has been the case
have
you showed due respect to them in expressing your desires? and have you borne
with a meek temper
those eruptions of passion which disagreeable circumstances
may sometimes produce
even in the best men? You see in the instances before
us
“that by much forbearing
a prince” and a father “may be persuaded
and
that a soft answer breaketh the bone.” (G. Lawson
D. D.)
Conduct in emergency
1. He acts prudently. He uses means of conciliation
and of bespeaking
the good graces of the unknown ruler of Egypt.
2. He acts honestly. “The money that was brought again in your
sacks
carry it again in your hands: peradventure it was an oversight.” There
are not a few who
in similar circumstances
would have been disposed to regard
such money as
according to their cant phraseology
a God-send; and who would
have thought no more about the matter. Not so Jacob. Before he would regard the
money as his
or have his sons regard it as theirs
he must be at the bottom of
the matter--he must have it accounted for
how came it there--he must know
whether they can keep it honestly. Thus let all Christian transactions be
regulated by the principles of high honour and sterling unbending integrity.
3. He acts piously. “And God Almighty give you mercy before the
man!” When a human heart requires to be softened
and inclined to favour where
there is seeming hostility
it is ours to do what we can
and to leave the
result
by prayer and supplication
in the hands of God--of “God Almighty.” How
much more like himself does Jacob now appear; and how much more becoming an
example does he set before his family!
4. He acts submissively. “If I be bereaved of my children
I am
bereaved!”
5. He acts affectionately. It may be truly said of Jacob
as a
father
that “even his failings leaned to virtue’s side.” We can account for
them from causes that are in themselves good. But the point to which my
observation tends
as many of you may anticipate
is this. How come we to be so
much in earnest in seeking to propitiate a fellow-creature to turn away his
displeasure
and to conciliate his favour
in order to avoid what harm
and to
ensure what good
he may have it in his power to do us; while we are so
careless about averting the wrath and obtaining the grace of a higher than the
highest of created powers?--of Him
whose wrath is so infinitely more to be
deprecated
and whose grace is so infinitely more to be desired and sought
than those of all the agents of evil or of good combined
in the world or in
the universe. (R. Wardlaw
D. D.)
Carry down the man a
present
Offerings by the little to the great (a harvest sermon for
children)
An old man is sending off a company of his sons; they are going to
visit a very great man
who is the governor of a great country. They have a
proper awe of this man
because he is so great
but he has been very good to
them
and their need compels them to go. So their father sends them off
and
bids them by no means go empty-handed
but take with them a present for the
man. Now your parents have sent you or brought you to church to-day to our
Harvest Festival
not to visit some great earthly governor
but to God’s House
to meet God
and to Present your prayers through Jesus Christ
the Son of God
of whom in His human life Joseph was in many ways a type; and I feel sure that
your parents will have said to you
as Jacob said to his sons
“Take a
present
” “a little of the best fruits of the land
” or their value in money.
For even if it should be very little indeed that you can bring
I am sure they
will have told you that that certainly should not be forgotten. Joseph in Egypt
was a picture in some small degree of our Lord
who is Governor of all the
earth
who says by the mouth of David
“the whole world is Mine
and all that
is therein” (Psalms 50:12). He has no need of our
corn
or of our fruits
or of our money: and yet He has commanded us to offer
to Him. There follow close after
in this same Psalm
the words
“Offer unto
God thanksgiving
and pay thy vows unto the Most Highest.” God ordered His
people (Deuteronomy 26:1-19.) when they came into
the land of Canaan to take at harvest-time a basket of the first-fruits
and
give it into the hands of the priest before God’s altar
and say
“A Syrian
ready to perish
was my father
and he went down into Egypt with a few--and
became great and mighty.” So the people of Israel were to be reminded of this
visit to Egypt and its consequences
for by “the Syrian
my father
” is meant
Jacob. Let us look again at our picture
and see what it will teach us. Joseph
we may be quite sure
was pleased with the present
not for its value in itself
but because it showed that those who brought it wished well. But what pleased
him most was the coming of his brethren themselves. He wanted them very much
especially the little one. And there was great joy when he had them all
together
and made himself known and embraced them. Joseph is here again a type
of our Blessed Lord. That which
above all
He desires
over and above the
gifts which He welcomes
is the heart of the giver. St. Paul tells us exactly
what it is He seeks--“not yours
but you” (2 Corinthians 12:14). “He is not
ashamed to call us brethren” (Hebrews 2:11)
though we have treated Him
worse than Joseph’s brethren treated him; and though we may be us shabby and
poor as probably Joseph’s brethren looked in his royal palace in Egypt
our
Lord Jesus Christ will be ready with His kiss and embrace for us. And when I
tell you that He seeks “not yours
but you
” I do not mean that He does not
want your little offerings; He does for your sakes. What you can give
of
course
is nothing to Him: but do not allow yourself to be tempted into saying
as grown-up people sometimes say when the harvest is not so plentiful
and they
are poor
and “the times are hard
” that we must leave giving to those who are
well off. Jacob and his sons were poor enough--there was a famine in the
land--and yet they sent the rich governor of Egypt a present
and see what a blessing
came out of it. I find
as I read my Bible
that it is “the poor of this world
rich in faith
” who become “heirs of the kingdom” (James 2:5)
through their faith and
liberality. And our Lord has told us why it is He likes us to offer to Him of
our little: He says
“Where your treasure is
there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). He wants our hearts
and
therefore He asks for our treasures. Let me give you an example. Only a few
weeks ago I read a sad story in a newspaper. There were several young men
brothers
who went
I think
to Canada
and there worked very hard upon a farm
out in the wilds
and earned a good deal of money. A man came to visit them
and persuaded them to trust him with their savings
saying that he would use it
in the working of a mine which would yield them double their money in a short
time. But one day they found out that this man was a rogue
and that he had
spent all their money for nothing
and the news was so terrible a shock to them
that they all went out of their minds. Their minds were all upon their money
and when that was lost they were lost. Learn
thin
as soon as you may
to lay
up your treasure in heaven. Bring your little offerings to Jesus Christ
“And
what He most desireth
Your humble
thankful hearts.”
(Archibald Day
M. A.)
Verses 15-18
The men were afraid
because they were brought into Joseph’s house
Joseph’s brethren under the influence of a guilty fear
I.
THEY
DREAD SOME GREAT MISFORTUNE. They are driven to Egypt by a dire necessity. A
presentiment of disaster weigh upon their hearts. They expect no favourable
solution of their mysterious treatment.
II. THEY ARE
POSSESSED BY AN INVETERATE SPIRIT OF MISTRUST
They interpret adversely even
the most favourable appearances. The generous reception which was given them only
serves to raise their worst suspicions and to alarm their fears. They cannot
get rid of the belief that Joseph meant to entrap them by a cunning device.
III. THEY ARE
HAUNTED BY THE MEMORY OF AN OLD CRIME. They are innocent respecting this money
in their sacks
and yet they feel themselves to be guilty men. Conscience makes
cowards of them everywhere. (T. H.Leale.)
Lessons
1. Fear misinterprets kindness.
2. We are often being tested while we are unconscious of the fact
that we are so.
3. An illustration of the difference between the outer appearance
and the inner life of a man. (W. M. Taylor
D. D.)
Bring these men home
It was a whisper aside
addressed to one who proved himself very
capable of executing Joseph’s wishes. This device of “bringing them home” and
feasting them gave Joseph opportunity for testing their feelings towards
Benjamin; it allowed them a chance of recognizing their brother; and it used
them to his love as mingled and contrasted with his severity. Joseph wished to
produce these three effects; but I scarcely think he intended another effect
which
however
was the first--the re-awakening of their fears. It was God who
intended that. (A. M.Symington
D. D.)
Use of animal food in Egypt
It has been objected here that the narrator must be in error in
representing Joseph as giving orders for the slaughter of animals for food
since that must have been contrary to the customs of the Egyptians; but
Wilkinson
in describing preparations for dinner
says
“an ox
kid
wild-goat
gazelle
or oryx
and a quantity of geese
widgeons
quails
or other birds
were obtained for the occasion”; and Kalisch alleges that “though there was
scarcely an animal which was not held sacred in some province
there was
perhaps
with the only exception of the cow
none which was not eaten in other
parts of the land”; so that the description here is in perfect harmony with
what we now know to have been the habit of the people. (W. M. Taylor
D. D.)
Verses 19-25
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house
and they
communed with him
Joseph’s steward
I.
HE
LISTENS PATIENTLY TO THE EXPLANATION OF THEIR CONDUCT
OFFERED BY JOSEPH’S
BRETHREN.
II. HE TREATS THEM
WITH A WISE KINDNESS AND WITH PIETY. (T. H.Leale.)
Lessons
1. Just orders are readily entertained by honest servants from their
masters (Genesis 43:17).
2. The house of kindness may sometimes terrify souls as the house of
dangers.
3. Innocency itself may be suspicious of wrong charges
to raise up
fear.
4. Groundless jealousies pretend dangers where none are (Genesis 43:18).
5. Wisdom suggests unto innocency a fair defence to prevent danger (Genesis 43:19).
6. Innocency’s plain acknowledgment of its designs is its best
apology (Genesis 43:20.)
7. Declaration of events of providence as they are tends to justify
the innocent.
8. Where providence orders good
souls may make question of
receiving or keeping it (Genesis 43:21).
9. Just souls will deal justly in dealing with others about buying
&c.
10. Innoceney may plead ignorance of the fact of sin plainly
being
not guilty (Genesis 43:22).
11. Upright hearts in power will speak peace and encouragement to
fearful spirits.
12. Good hearts teach to ascribe all good providences unto God in
covenant.
13. Just men will own their acts to discharge the innocent. So the
steward.
14. Conditions being performed
hostages must be in justice returned
(Genesis 43:23).
15. Good hospitality will labour
to afford room and all convenient
refreshings to its guests.
16. Hospitality in truth
provides for beasts as well as men (Genesis 43:24).
17. Prudence will put men upon care to prepare a present for rulers
in time of danger.
18. Courtesy from hosts gives opportunity for guests to express their
returns.
19. Noon refreshments are suitable to morning’s labours.
20. Good rulers are careful first to work and then to eat (Genesis 43:25). (G. Hughes
B. D.)
Verses 26-34
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him.
Joseph and his brethren at the banquet
Consider this incident--
I. As IT
ILLUSTRATES SOME USEFUL PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL LIFE.
1. That we should not set up the pretence of loving all alike.
Benjamin was specially honoured (Genesis 43:34)
and greeted with loving
words (Genesis 43:29).
2. That it is wise to observe the established customs of society
when they are not morally wrong.
II. AS IT
ILLUSTRATES THE SECRET AND THE OUTWARD LIFE.
1. In the case of the brethren.
2. In the case of Joseph. (T. H. Leale.)
Joseph’s banquet
1. The banquet of Joseph’s joy
of his hope
of his trying watch.
2. The feast of reviving hope in Joseph’s brethren.
3. Their participation without envy in the honouring of Benjamin.
4. An introduction to the last trial
and a preparation for it.
5. The successful issue in the fearful proving of Israel’s sons. (J.
P.Lange.)
The dinner designed to make Joseph known
And now
I apprehend
it was Joseph’s wish to discover himself m
his brethren
or rather to enable them to discover him. There are three things
in particular while they were at dinner
each tending to this end
and as I
conceive
designed for it.
1. The order of the tables. One for himself
one for the strangers
and one for the Egyptians. The design of this was to set them a thinking of
him
and who he was
or could be? That the Egyptians and Hebrews should eat
apart they could easily account for: but who
or what is this man? Is he not an
Egyptian? Yet if he be
why eat by himself? Surely he must be a foreigner . . .
2. The order in which they themselves were seated; it was “before
him
” so that they had full opportunity of looking at him; and what was
astonishing to them
every man was placed “ according to his age.” But who can
this be that is acquainted with their ages
so as to be able to adjust things
in this order? Surely it must be some one who knows us
though we know not him.
Or is he a diviner Who or what can he be? They are said to have “marvelled one
at another
” and well they might. It is marvellous that they did not from hence
suspect who he was.
3. The peculiar favour which he expressed to Benjamin
in sending
him a mess five times more than the rest. There is no reason to suppose that
Benjamin ate more than the rest; but this was the manner of showing special
favour in those times. It was therefore saying in effect
“I not only know all
your ages
but towards that young man I have more than a common regard Look at
all this
and look at me Look at me
my brother Benjamin. Dost thou not know
me?” But all was hid from them. Their eyes
like those of the disciples towards
their Lord
seem to have been holden
that they should not know him. Their
minds however are eased from an apprehensions
and they drank
and were
cheerful in his company. (A. Fuller.)
Lessons
1. Gracious hearts
however sometime they may deal severely
yet
they desire their peace.
2. Providence sometimes orders peaceable entertainment
where worse
is feared.
3. Nature itself
much more grace
inquire of and desires the peace
of parents. He asked of their father
and meaneth his own (Genesis 43:27).
4. It is equal that peaceable inquiries should have due answers.
5. In answering for others
Providence orders the accomplishment of
his will The sunbows
&c.
6. All humility becomes their answers who are in fear of foreign
powers (Genesis 43:28.)
7. Sight of near relations moveth to inquire of their condition.
8. Natural affection desires to know its near relations for good.
9. Grace puts souls upon blessing relations as well as knowing them.
10. The best blessing is the grace of God procured upon souls.
11. Brethren may be fathers in blessing the fruit of the same womb (Genesis 43:29). (G. Hughes
B. D.)
Lessons
1. Natural affection may speed to vent itself
after gracious
benediction.
2. Natural bowels may burn in gracious souls to their relations.
3. Gracious wisdom teacheth to seek time
place
and measure of
expressing affection to relations.
4. Secret venting of affections is best at some opportunities (Genesis 43:30). (G. Hughes
B. D.)
Benjamin’s mess
I. PRESENTS FROM
HOME. Those made to Joseph by men who little thought what feelings they might
excite.
1. They were from his father. He would think of them as being
selected by him. An act of homage.
2. They were peculiar to his native country and immediate
neighbourhood. How often when a boy had he collected similar gums and nuts.
They would take him back to the old time.
3. The presents we may receive from home have more of love in them
than homage. We like them the better for that.
4. These presents were the gifts of poor men
who were the poorer by
reason of the famine. Presents not to be valued by their intrinsic worth
but
by the circumstances under which they were selected
and the feelings with
which they are offered.
5. Every good gift is from above. God the author and giver of every
good and perfect gift.
6. There is one unspeakable gift
made to us
suited to us; have we
accepted this gift?
II. INQUIRIES
ABOUT HOME.
1. They are asked concerning their welfare (see Exodus 18:7). Such inquiries from us
often mean only the welfare of the body
or relate to temporal things. Family
greetings pleasant. Should include an interest in highest and best things.
2. They soon regarded the absent. His father in particular
the “old
man.” It was about twenty-two years since he had seen his father. “Is he yet
alive? A few years work great changes in families. Return to your native town
after an absence of twenty-two years
and note the different names
and the
vast changes. The father was poorer than when he saw him last by reason of the
famine; the son was richer than when he left home to look after the shepherds
in Shechem. The coat of many colours exchanged for a robe of state. The
shepherd boy become a prince. Absent friends to be remembered.
3. Benjamin specially addressed.
III. THE BANQUET.
1. The president of the feast. Joseph at a raised table by himself.
His state and grandeur. Perhaps the presents from home were placed before him.
His knowledge of the guests
and their ignorance of him. Jesus at &he last
supper knew all
and was little known; after the resurrection He was known in
the breaking of bread.
2. The officers of his household. They would show the respect and
honour in which he was held.
3. The Israelites. The arrangement of their places at the table.
“Whence hath this man this knowledge?” Benjamin’s mess. What could this mean?
Whether they liked it or not
their father’s regard for the younger son
whether Joseph or Benjamin
was to be respected. They needed to be taught this
lesson. And we must honour our parents. As they thus sat and feasted with the
prince
did they think of the time when they sat down to eat bread by the side
of the pit where Joseph was once imprisoned? Joseph returned good for evil.
Learn: Let us remember home
especially the heavenly home. (J. C. Gray.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》