2. The tidings were too good to be true —
[There is a proneness in the human mind to believe evil reports more easily than those which are favourable. Jacob instantly acceded to the idea that his son Joseph had been torn in pieces, notwithstanding, if he had considered the spirit and temper of his brethren towards him, there was very abundant reason to doubt the fact. But, when he is told that Joseph is alive, and at the head of the Egyptian kingdom, he cannot entertain the thought one moment: " his heart even faints " at the mention of the fact, (not because he believed it, but) because he believed it not.
Here again we trace the workings of the human mind in re- lation to higher things. If we come and tell persons that they
must make their peace with God by a long course of repentance and good works, they will believe us readily enough; though, if they duly considered the nature of such tidings, they would have evidence enough of their falsehood. But if we declare to them, that Christ has made a full atonement for our sins ; that a free and full salvation is offered them through Him; that they may partake of it " without money and without price," that is, without any thing on their part to merit it ; and that their former guilt, however great and aggravated, is no bar to their acceptance with God, provided they simply and un- feignedly believe in Christ ; ' all this seems too good to be true : it can never be, that the way to heaven should be so easy.' This is the argument used by all the train of self- righteous Pharisees, who, " being whole, feel no need of a physician;" and by multitudes also of repenting " Publicans, who dare not lift up their eyes to heaven," or entertain a hope, that " grace should ever so abound towards them, in whom sin has so greatly abounded11."]
Having canvassed thus his doubts, we proceed to notice,
II. The means of their removal —
Of these we are minutely informed in the words of our text. They were,
1. A fuller recital of Joseph's words —
[Jacob's sons had told him of Joseph's elevation ; but not obtaining credit, proceeded to " tell him all the words that Joseph had said unto them." Now their testimony became so circumstantial and convincing, that he could resist no longer: his incredulity was borne down by a weight of evidence that could not be withstood.
Thus also it is that the Gospel forces its way into the hearts of thousands, to whom, at its first statement, it appeared no better than an idle tale. Ministers set forth innumerable declarations which Jesus has made respecting us : they report his gracious invitations, his precious promises, his tender expostulations ; all of which evince such a perfect knowledge of our state, and are so suited to our necessities, that we can- not any longer doubt from whom they come. They shame us out of our doubts, and constrain us to exclaim, " Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!"]
2. An actual sight of the tokens of his love —
[A view of the waggons which Joseph had sent, stored with every tiling requisite for his accommodation in his journey,
* See Isai. xlix. 24, 25.
57.] Jacob's resolution to visit Joseph. 295
completed his conviction. All the patriarch's doubts were dis- sipated, and his " spirit instantly revived."
And what will not give way before the sensible manifesta- tions of God's love to the soul? Let " His love be shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost ; " let the promises be applied with power to the soul ; let " the Spirit of God once witness with our spirit that we are God's;" and no fears will then remain respecting the truth of the Gospel or the power and grace of Christ: we shall then " have the witness in ourselves," that " Jesus is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour," and that he is " able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him."]