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Genesis Chapter Forty-four

 

Genesis 44

Chapter Contents

Joseph's policy to stay his brethren and try their affection for Benjamin. (1-17) Judah's supplication to Joseph. (18-34)

Commentary on Genesis 44:1-17

Joseph tried how his brethren felt towards Benjamin. Had they envied and hated the other son of Rachel as they had hated him and if they had the same want of feeling towards their father Jacob as heretofore they would now have shown it. When the cup was found upon Benjamin they would have a pretext for leaving him to be a slave. But we cannot judge what men are now by what they have been formerly; nor what they will do by what they have done. The steward charged them with being ungrateful rewarding evil for good; with folly in taking away the cup of daily use which would soon be missed and diligent search made for it; for so it may be read Is not this it in which my lord drinketh as having a particular fondness for it and for which he would search thoroughly? Or By which leaving it carelessly at your table he would make trial whether you were honest men or not? They throw themselves upon Joseph's mercy and acknowledge the righteousness of God perhaps thinking of the injury they had formerly done to Joseph for which they thought God was now reckoning with them. Even in afflictions wherein we believe ourselves wronged by men we must own that God is righteous and finds out our sin.

Commentary on Genesis 44:18-34

Had Joseph been as Judah supposed him an utter stranger to the family he could not but be wrought upon by his powerful reasonings. But neither Jacob nor Benjamin need an intercessor with Joseph; for he himself loved them. Judah's faithful cleaving to Benjamin now in his distress was recompensed long afterwards by the tribe of Benjamin keeping with the tribe of Judah when the other tribes deserted it. The apostle when discoursing of the mediation of Christ observes that our Lord sprang out of Judah Hebrews 7:14; and he not only made intercession for the transgressors but he became a Surety for them testifying therein tender concern both for his Father and for his brethren. Jesus the great antitype of Joseph humbles and proves his people even after they have had some tastes of his loving-kindness. He brings their sins to their remembrance that they may exercise and show repentance and feel how much they owe to his mercy.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Genesis

 

Genesis 44

Verse 5

[5] Is not this it in which my lord drinketh and whereby indeed he divineth ye have done evil in so doing.

Is not this it in which my lord drinketh? And for which he would search thoroughly — So it may be rendered.

Verse 16

[16] And Judah said What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold we are my lord's servants both we and he also with whom the cup is found.

God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants — Referring to the injury they had formerly done to Joseph for which they thought God was now reckoning with them. Even in those afflictions wherein we apprehend ourselves wronged by men yet we must own that God is righteous and finds out our iniquity. We cannot judge what men are by what they have been formerly not what they will do by what they have done. Age and experience may make men wiser and better They that had sold Joseph yet would not abandon Benjamin.

Verse 18

[18] Then Judah came near unto him and said Oh my lord let thy servant I pray thee speak a word in my lord's ears and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.

And Judah said — We have here a most pathetic speech which Judah made to Joseph on Benjamin's behalf. Either Judah was a better friend to Benjamin than the rest and more solicitous to bring him off; or he thought himself under greater obligations to endeavour it than the rest because he had passed his word to his father for his safe return. His address as it is here recorded is so very natural and so expressive of his present passion that we cannot but suppose Moses who wrote it so long after to have written it under the special direction of him that made man's mouth. A great deal of unaffected art and unstudied rhetoric there is in this speech. 1. He addressed himself to Joseph with a great deal of respect calls him his lord himself and his brethren his servants begs his patient hearing and passeth a mighty compliment upon him Thou art even as Pharaoh whose favour we desire and whose wrath we dread as we do Pharaoh's. 2. He represented Benjamin as one well worthy of his compassionate consideration he was a little one compared with the rest; the youngest not acquainted with the world nor inured to hardship having been always brought up tenderly with his father. It made the case the more piteous that he alone was left of his mother and his brother was dead viz. Joseph; little did Judah think what a tender point he touched upon now. Judah knew that Joseph was sold and therefore had reason enough to think that he was not alive. 3. He urged it closely that Joseph had himself constrained them to bring Benjamin with them had expressed a desire to see him had forbidden them his presence unless they brought Benjamin with them all which intimated that he designed him some kindness. And must he be brought with so much difficulty to the preferment of a perpetual slavery? Was he not brought to Egypt in obedience purely in obedience to the command of Joseph and would not he shew him some mercy? 4. The great argument he insists upon was the insupportable grief it would be to his aged father if Benjamin should be left behind in servitude. His father loves him Genesis 44:20. Thus they had pleaded against Joseph's insisting on his coming down Genesis 44:22. If he should leave his father his father would die much more if he now be left behind never to return. This the old man of whom they spake had pleaded against his going down. If mischief befall him ye shall bring down my grey hairs that crown of glory with sorrow to the grave. This therefore Judah presseth with a great deal of earnestness his life is bound up in the lad's life when he sees that the lad is not with us he will faint away and die immediately or will abandon himself to such a degree of sorrow as will in a few days make an end of him And (lastly) Judah pleads that for his part he could not bear to see this. Let me not see the evil that shall come on my father. 5. Judah in honour to the justice of Joseph's sentence and to shew his sincerity in this plea offers himself to become a bond-man instead of Benjamin. Thus the law would be satisfied; Joseph would be no loser for we may suppose Judah a more able bodied man than Benjamin; Jacob would better bear that than the loss of Benjamin. Now so far was he from grieving at his father's particular fondness for Benjamin than he is himself willing to be a bond-man to indulge it. Now had Joseph been as Judah supposed an utter stranger to the family yet even common humanity could not but be wrought upon by such powerful reasonings as these; for nothing could be said more moving more tender; it was enough to melt a heart of stone: but to Joseph who was nearer a-kin to Benjamin than Judah himself and who at this time felt a greater passion for him and his aged father than Judah did nothing could be more pleasingly nor more happily said. Neither Jacob nor Benjamin needed an intercessor with Joseph for he himself loved them. Upon the whole let us take notice (1.) How prudently Judah suppressed all mention of the crime that was charged upon Benjamin. Had he said any thing by way of acknowledgment of it he had reflected on Benjamin's honesty. Had he said any thing by way of denial of it he had reflected on Joseph's justice; therefore he wholly waves that head and appeals to Joseph's pity. (2.) What good reason dying Jacob had to say Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise Genesis 49:8 for he excelled them all in boldness wisdom eloquence and especially tenderness for their father and family. (3.) Judah's faithful adherence to Benjamin now in his distress was recompensed long after by the constant adherence of the tribe of Benjamin to the tribe of Judah when all the other ten tribes deserted it.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Genesis

                             

 

44 Chapter 44

 

Verses 1-15

Genesis 44:1-15

The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack

The trials of the innocent

I.
That there is sorrow and sorrow on a vast scale is a great fact--a fact both too patent and too painful to be gainsaid. Joseph put the cup in the sack to try his brothers’ faith love and loyalty to their father.

1. Sorrow was sent into the world as a preventive of greater sorrow.

2. Sorrow gives occasion for the exercise of many an else impossible virtue.

3. This would be a lame excuse indeed if it stood alone. But grief is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.

4. When we remember our sins we wonder not that life has had so many sorrows but that it has had so few.

II. Why should sorrow so often smite us in the most sensitive place? or to take up the parable of the text--

1. Why should the cup be in Benjamin’s sack? Just because it is Benjamin’s we reply. The very thing that leads God to smite at all leads Him to smite you here. God takes away earthly pleasure and thus helps you to remember your sin and repent of it.

2. The cup was put there to bring them to a better mind ever after.

3. It was put there to give Joseph the opportunity of making himself known to his brethren.

4. It was put there to lead them out of the land of famine into the land of plenty. From this we may learn three lessons:

The final trial of Joseph’s brethren

I. THE SEVERITY OF THE TRIAL.

1. It was unexpected.

2. It exposed them to the agony of suspense between hope and fear.

3. They were conscious of innocence.

4. The trial touched them in the sorest place.

5. The bringing them into their present difficulty seemed to have the sanction of religion.

6. They regard their case as hopeless.

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIAL.

1. To stir up their consciences to the depths.

2. To show whether they were capable of receiving forgiveness. (T. H.Leale.)

Joseph puts his brethren to the test

I. THY. TEST TO WHICH JOSEPH EXPOSED HIS BRETHREN. There is at first sight an apparent wantonness in the manner in which this was applied; but looking deeper we see some motives for such a mode of action.

1. Probably it was designed as a kind of penalty for their former deeds. Joseph had been basely treated. Though he forgave his injurers yet it was good for them to see their crime and feel it. His was not mere maudlin compassion; he desired first to bring them to repentance and then he was ready and willing to forgive. And in this he is a type of God; God is the infinitely Forgiving One but the Just One besides.

2. And a second motive which may be assigned for Joseph’s conduct is that perhaps it was to compel them to feel that their lives were in his power. They are humbled to the dust before him by the test. Now in assigning to him such a natural motive we are not showing his conduct as anything superhuman. It was magnanimous but yet mixed with the human. Everything that man does has in it something of evil; even his best actions have in them something that will not bear the light of day.

3. Again Joseph may have wished to test his brethren’s capability of forgiveness.

II. THE CONDUCT OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN UNDER THE TEST.

1. Judah cannot prove that his brother is not guilty neither can he believe that he is guilty; he therefore leaves that question entirely aside. Instead of denying it in modem language he showed cause why the law should not be put in force against him.

2. We next notice the pathos of that speech (Genesis 44:20).

3. Let us learn in conclusion that even in the worst of mankind there is something good left. Judah was by no means an immaculate man; but from what a man was you cannot be certain what he is now. Here were men virtually guilty of the sin of murder really guilty of cupidity in selling their brother; but years after we find in them something tender still love for their father and compassion for their brother. It is this spark of undestroyed good in man that the Spirit of Christ takes hold of; and he alone who is able to discover this in the hearts of the worst he alone will be in this world successful in turning sinners to God. (F. W. Robertson M. A.)

Analogies

1. We see a striking analogy between the conduct of Joseph towards his brother Benjamin and that of Jesus towards His people. “Whom I love I rebuke and chasten.” The Lord often brings us into difficulties that He may detain us as I may say from leaving Him. Were it not for these He would have fewer importunate applications at a throne of grace than He has. He does not afflict willingly or from His heart; but from necessity and that He may bring us nearer to Him.

2. We also see a striking analogy between Joseph’s conduct towards his brethren and that of the Lord towards us. In all he did I suppose it was his design to try them. His putting the cup into Benjamin’s sack and convicting him of the supposed guilt would try their love to him and to their aged father. Had they been of the same disposition as when they sold Joseph they would not have cared for him. But happily they are now of another mind. God appears to have made use of this mysterious providence and of Joseph’s behaviour amongst other things to bring them to repentance. And the cup being found in Benjamin’s sack would give them occasion to manifest it. It must have afforded the most heartfelt satisfaction to Joseph amidst all the pain which it cost him to witness their concern for Benjamin and for the life of their aged father. This of itself was sufficient to excite on his part the fullest forgiveness. Thus God is represented as looking upon a contrite spirit and even overlooking heaven and earth for it (Isaiah 66:1-2). Next to the gift of His Son He accounts it the greatest blessing He can bestow upon a sinful creature. Now that on which He set so high a value He may be expected to produce even though it may be at the expense of our present peace. Nor have we any cause of complaint but the contrary. What were the suspense the anxiety and the distress of Joseph’s brethren in comparison of that which followed? And what is the suspense the anxiety or the distress of an awakened sinner or a tried believer in comparison of the joy of faith or the grace that shall be revealed at the appearing of Jesus Christ? It will then be found that our light affliction which was but for a moment has been working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (A. Fuller.)

The cup in the sack

I. THE PRIVATE COMPLAINT.

1. Its nature. All” the money to be returned and the silver cup to be placed in the sack belonging to Benjamin. It may seem strange that the steward was to charge them with stealing a cup wherein Joseph divined (if indeed the cup was not used for that purpose as we believe) knowing that Joseph was a servant of God. We may not with the higher standard of morality of these Christian times approve this pretence; but it is in keeping with the whole transaction which is a feint throughout.

2. Motive. Doubtless to test the feeling of the rest towards Benjamin. Did they envy this favourite as they did the other? If so it was very likely that on being overtaken they would abandon the man with whom the cup was found--Benjamin--to his fate. Make no effort to procure his release. Return home without him as they had once gone without Joseph. Before he proceeded further in helping his family in the famine he would see if they had improved morally all these years.

II. THY OBNOXIOUS CHARGE. The confidential servant having received the command but most likely being ignorant of all his master’s plans and of the relation of these guests proceeds to put it in execution.

1. The brethren set off. Their journey. How unlike the last when they were full of perplexity and had left Simeon behind. Now they talk of their good treatment and are accompanied by Simeon and that Benjamin whom they had feared to lose.

2. They are pursued. Their astonishment at seeing the steward who Genesis 43:28) had not long before spoken assuring words hastening after them.

3. The charge. The steward faithfully but to their great amazement repeats the command of his master.

4. Their indignant denial Such conduct would be opposed to the will of God (Genesis 43:7). The idea was inconsistent with their proved honesty (Genesis 43:8). They are quite willing to abide by the results of search. And that the punishment should be greater than hinted.

III. THE APPALLING DISCOVERY.

1. The search commences. They are willing. The steward begins as far as possible from where he knows it is concealed. Thus they do not suspect him of any complicity and their confidence increases as he proceeds.

2. They see Benjamin’s sack opened and there shining in all its beauty is the cup! What could they think or say or do? They did not suffer Benjamin to return alone. The test was successful. There was another discovery--an altered feeling towards the old man and his favourite son. This discovery Joseph made.

3. They could only regard it as a plot of some one--perhaps the Lord of Egypt--to find a pretext for keeping them in bondage. What would become now of their father and their wives and little ones. Learn:

I. That our religion admits not of pretences.

II. The time of confidence may be the hour of peril. (J. C. Gray.)

Money in the sack

Frederick King of Prussia one day rung his bell and nobody answering he opened his door and found his page fast asleep in an elbow chair. He advanced towards him and was going to awaken him when he perceived part of a letter hanging out of his pocket. His curiosity prompting him to know what it was he took it out and read it. It was a letter from this young man’s mother in which she thanked him for having sent her a part of his wages to relieve her misery; and finished with telling him that God would reward him for his dutiful affection. The king after reading it went back softly into his chamber took a bag full of ducats and slipped it with the letter into the page’s pocket. Returning to the chamber he rang the bell so loudly that it awakened the page who instantly made his appearance. “You have had a sound sleep ” said the king. The page was at a loss how to excuse himself; and putting his hand into his pocket by chance to his utter astonishment he there found a purse of ducats. He took it out turned pale and looking at the king shed a torrent of tears without being able to utter a single word. “What is that ” said the king “what is the matter?” “Ah sire ” said the young man throwing himself on his knees “somebody seeks my ruin! I know nothing of this money which I have just found in my pocket.” “My young friend ” replied Frederick “God often does great things for us even in our sleep. Send that to your mother; salute her on my part and assure her that I will take care of both her and you.” (Moral and Religious Anecdotes.)

Grace unknown in the heart

A child of God may have the kingdom of grace in his heart yet not know it. The cup was in Benjamin’s sack though he did not know it was there; thou mayest have faith in thy heart the cup may be in thy sack though thou knowest it not. Old Jacob wept for his son Joseph when Joseph was alive; thou mayest weep for grace when grace may be alive in thy heart. The seed may be in the ground when we do not see it spring up; the seed of God may be sown in thy heart though thou dost not perceive the springing up of it. Think not grace is lost because it is hid. (T. Watson.)

Divining cups

The Ancient Egyptians and still more the Persians practised a mode of divination from goblets. Small pieces of gold or silver together with precious stones marked with strange figures and signs were thrown into the vessel; after which certain incantations were pronounced and the evil demon was invoked; the latter was then supposed to give the answer either by intelligible words or by pointing to some of the characters on the precious stones or in some other more mysterious manner. Sometimes the goblet was filled with pure water upon which the sun was allowed to play; and the figures which were thus formed or which a lively imagination fancied it saw were interpreted as the desired omen--a method of taking auguries still employed in Egypt and Nubia. The goblets were usually of a spherical form; and for this reason as well as because they were believed to teach men all natural and many supernatural things they were called “celestial globes.” Most celebrated was the magnificent vase of turquoise of the wife Jemsheed the Solomon among the ancient Persian kings the founder of Persepolis; and Alexander the Great so eager to imitate Eastern manners is said to have adopted the sacred goblets also. (M. M. Kalisch Ph. D.)


Verses 16-34

Genesis 44:16-34

And Judah said What shall we say unto my lord?
--

Judah’s intercession

I. IT WAS ABLE.

II. IT WAS NOBLE.

III. IT GAVE PROMISE OF FUTURE GREATNESS

IV. IT SUGGESTS SOME FEATURES OF OUR LORD’S INTERCESSION FOR US.

V. IT SUGGESTS THE QUALITIES OF TRUE PRAYER. In true prayer the soul is stirred to its depths. “I would give very much ” says Luther “if I could pray to cur Lord God as well as Judah prays to Joseph here; for it is a perfect specimen of prayer--the true feeling there ought to be in prayer.” (T. H.Leale.)

Judah’s intercession

The whole of this intercession taken together is not one twentieth part of the length which our best advocates would have made of it in a court of justice; yet the speaker finds room to expatiate upon those parts which are the most tender and on which a minute description will heighten the general effect. We are surprised delighted and melted with his charming parenthesis: “Seeing his life is bound up with the lad’s life.” It is also remarkable how he repeats things which are the most tender; as “when I come and the lad be not with us . . . it shall come to pass when he seeth that the lad is not with us . . . ” So also in describing the effect which this would produce: “When he seeth that the lad is not with us he will die; and we shall bring down the grey hairs of thy servant my father with sorrow to the grave. And now having stated his situation he presumes to express his petition. His withholding that to the last was holding the mind of his judge in a state of affecting suspense and preventing the objections which an abrupt introduction of it at the beginning might have created. Thus Esther when presenting her petition to Ahasuerus kept it back till she had by holding him in suspense raised his desire to the utmost height to know what it was and induced in him a predisposition to grant it. And when we consider his petition and the filial regard from which it proceeds we may say that if we except the grace of another and greater Substitute never surely was there a more generous proposal! (A. Fuller.)

Joseph’s love and Judah’s charge

I. BENJAMIN’S SURETY.

II. THE FRIENDLY BANQUET.

III. THE STRANGE STRATAGEM.

IV. THE ELOQUENT APPEAL. Judah makes a speech which is very natural simple and pathetic. It is conciliatory towards Joseph. Joseph’s greatness power and high rank are fully recognized (“Thou art as Pharaoh”). It is considerate in reference to the statements about Jacob’s peculiar reasons for sorrow. It is courageous in its announcement of Judah’s own responsibility and of his readiness to be a substitute for his brother. And all through the speech tenderness and sympathy are exhibited in a very simple but touching manner. (W. S. Smith B. D.)

Judah’s argument

To point out the force of this overwhelming argument requires a view of the human mind when like a complicate machine in motion the various powers and passions of it are at work. The whole calamity of the family arising from obedience to the judge’s own command; an obedience yielded to on their part with great reluctance because of the situation of their aged father; and on his part with stiff greater because his brother was as he supposed torn in pieces and he the only surviving child of a beloved wife; and the declaration of a venerable grey-headed man that if he lose him it will be his death--was enough to melt the heart of any one possessed of human feelings. If Joseph had really been what he appeared an Egyptian nobleman he must have yielded the point. To have withstood it would have proved him not a man much less a man who “feared God ” as he professed to be. But if such would have been his feelings even on that supposition what must they have been to know what he knew? It is also observable with what singular adroitness Judah avoids making mention of this elder brother of the lad in any other than his father’s words. He did not say he was torn in pieces. No he knew it was not so! But his father had once used that language and though he had lately spoken in a manner which bore hard on him and his brethren yet this is passed over and nothing hinted but what will turn to account. (A. Fuller.)

Judah’s intercession

I. HE REHEARSES THE PAST (Genesis 44:18-29).

1. The speaker. Judah. Well that it was he. Had it been Reuben the proof of penitence had not been so clear. It had been too much like the old Reuben Genesis 37:22 with Genesis 42:22). It was Judah and not like the old Judah (Genesis 37:26-27). The last time Joseph heard Judah speak of his father’s favourite was when he (Joseph) was in the pit and Judah on the edge was proposing to sell him into Bondage. Now he intercedes to save Benjamin from bondage.

2. The subject. He

II. HE PICTURES THE FUTURE. This he was the better able to do from his memory of a former occasion. That picture of sorrow and wail of agony had ever since haunted him. It might be repeated with still more painful consequences. It might hasten the death of his father. He records without a censure the endearing union of the old father and his younger brother. There was one life between them. The death or loss of Benjamin might be the death of the father. He relates that he had become a surety for the safe return of the lad. As he thus earnestly and most pathetically pleads for the release of Benjamin what feelings must have risen in the mind of Joseph. Chiefly of joy that Judah was so changed; but also of attachment to a father who had mourned his own supposed death so long and truly.

III. HE PROPOSES A COMPROMISE.

1. Its nature. If one must be held in bondage for this supposed crime let it be himself who is confessedly innocent in place of Benjamin whose guilt is assumed. Judah has wife and children at home yet will leave all rather than abandon his brother. He will be henceforth a slave if only Benjamin may be free. Was ever love like this? “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13; see especially Romans 5:6-8).

2. The motive. To spare his father all needless pain he would accept the position of being less loved than Benjamin. His father might grieve at his loss as he had at Simeon’s but the loss of Benjamin would affect him more.

3. The result. The test had proved to Joseph that Judah repented the past. It was a happy discovery. What can give greater joy to a brother than to see a right moral change in a brother? Learn:

1. Fearlessly to take the side of the innocent and the aged.

2. To bring forth fruit meet for repentance.

3. Not to be ashamed of an honourable change of heart and mind.

4. To love and honour Him who became a surety for us. (J. C. Gray.)


Verse 30

Genesis 44:30

His life is bound up in the lad’s life

The life of the lad

These words were spoken by Judah as descriptive of the tenderness and affection which Jacob felt towards Benjamin the youngest son of that patriarchal family; but they are words just as appropriate to hundreds of parents in this house--“since his life is bound up in the lad’s life.
” The fowl in the barnyard clumsy-footed and heavy-winged flies fiercely at you if you come too near the little group and God intended every father and mother to be the protection and the help of the child. Jesus comes into every dwelling and says to the father or mother: “You have been looking after this child’s body and mind; the time has come when you ought to be looking after its immortal soul.” I read of a vessel that foundered. The boats were launched; many of the passengers were struggling in the water. A mother with one band beat the wave and with the other hand lifted up her little child towards the lifeboat crying: “Save my child! save my child!” The impassioned outcry of that mother is the prayer of hundreds of Christian people who sit listening this morning while I speak.

I. I propose to show SOME OF THE CAUSES OF PARENTAL ANXIETY.

1. I find the first cause of parental anxiety in the inefficiency and imperfection of parents themselves. We have a slight hope all of us that our children may escape our faults. We hide our imperfections and think they will steer clear of them. Alas there is a poor prospect of that. There is more probability that they will choose our vices than choose our virtues.

2. Again parental anxiety often arises from an early exhibition of sinfulness in the child. It is especially sad if the parent sees his own faults copied by the child. It is very hard work to pull up a nettle that we ourselves planted. We remember that the greatest frauds that ever shook the banking-houses of the country started from a boy’s deception a good many years ago; and the gleaming blade of the murderer is only another blade of the knife with which the boy struck at his comrade. The cedar of Lebanon that wrestles with the blast started from seed lodged in the side of the mountain and the most tremendous dishonesties of the world once toddled out from a cradle. All these things make parents anxious.

3. Anxiety on the part of parents also arises from a consciousness that there are so many temptations thrown all around our young people. It may be almost impossible to take a castle by siege--straightforward siege--but suppose in the night there is a traitor within and he goes down and draws the bolt and swings open the great door and then the castle falls immediately. That is the trouble with the hearts of the young; they have foes without and foes within.

II. I shall devote the rest of my remarks to ALLEVIATION OF PARENTAL ANXIETY. Let me say to you as parents that a great deal of that anxiety will be lifted if you will begin early with your children. Tom Paine said: “The first five years of my life I became an infidel.” A vessel goes out to sea; it has been five days out; a storm comes on it; it springs a leak; the helm will not work; everything is out of order. What is the matter? The ship is not seaworthy and never was. It is a poor time to find it out now. Under the fury of the storm the vessel goes down with two hundred and fifty passengers to a watery grave. The time to make the ship seaworthy was in the dry-dock before it started. Alas for us if we wait until our children get out into the world before we try to bring upon them the influence of Christ’s religion. I tell you the dry-dock of the Christian home is the place where we are to fit them for usefulness and for heaven. In this world under the storm of vice and temptation it will be too late. In the domestic circle you decide whether your child shall be truthful or false--whether it shall be generous or penurious. You cannot begin too early. You stand on the bank of a river floating by. You cannot stop that river but you travel days and days towards the source of it and you find after awhile where it comes down dropping from the rock and with your knife you make a course in this or that direction for the dropping to take and you decide the course of the river. You stand and see your children’s character rolling on with great impetuosity and passion and you cannot affect them. Go up towards the source where the character first starts and decide that it shall take the right direction and it will follow the path you give it. But I want you to remember O father O mother that it is what you do that is going to affect your children and not what you say. You tell your children to become Christians while you are not and they will not. Above all pray. I do not mean mere formal prayer that amounts to nothing. Often go before God and say: “Here are my dear children. Oh save them. Put their feet on the road to heaven. Thou knowest how imperfectly I am training them; make up what I lack. Lord Jesus Christ better than anything Thou canst give give them Jesus.” God will hear such a prayer. He said He would: “I will be a God to thee and thy seed after thee.” (Dr. Talmage.)

──The Biblical Illustrator