Vers. 2--4.--Joseph aJ, lwme. "Joseph, being seventeen years old," &c. Picturesque 8Ccne is the encampment of Jacob. How well the dark camel-hair tents harmonise with the general character of the spots in which they are pitched. Peace and purity should dwell there. Ten men of the tribe of Jacob are most depraved, but their characters only threw into brighter prominence that of Joseph. It ie probable that Jacob gave greater attention to the training of Joseph than to that of hie brethren, He showed favouritism also. His act of giving him a garb of varied colour may not altogether have been so foolish and weak as sometimes it has been supposed to be. It was simply an ordinary Eastern way of indicating that Joseph was to be the future leader and sheik of the encampment. Think of Joseph's home life, and learn- I. THAT AT HOME WE SHOULD, LIKE JOSEPH, LEARN TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE LIFE. Doubtless Jacob would tell Joseph of the promises of God to Abraham, of the tradition of the Deluge and the Fall ; probably also of his own fleeing from home, and his dream in the desert, when he saw "the great altar-stair sloping through darkness up to God," and the angels ascending and descending. Jo11eph always afterwards has great faith in dreams. No book had he. 'l'he Bible was not written. Traditions and oral teaching formed his mental training. II. AT HOME WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE SOME EMPLOYMENT. His father loved him too dearly to allow him to grow up in habits of idleness. He learned to handle the crook and to become a faithful messenger. No work is to be despised, for all may be a preparation for fntnre usefulness. III. AT HOME WE SHOULD NOT WILLINGLY BE WITNESSES OF WRONG-DOING. The lives of Joseph's brethren were sinful, and their doings deceitful. Some things he is obliged to know about of which it is dangerous to keep silence. The welfare of the whole tribe was being riFked by the elder brothers, and Joseph, fearing that, tells his father, or seeks counsel that he may be strengthened to resist evil influence. IV. AT HOME WE MAY HAVE GLOWING VISIONS OF TIIE FUTURE. The two dreams con- cerning the sheaves, and the sun and moon and stars; brought hate from his brethren, hut they had an influence on Joseph's after life. They were remarkably fulfilled. Vil' e all have some such visions. We build " castles in the air." The stern realities of life tone down our dreams. It is well to have some such dreams. Without them few make any advance in life. \Ve are not to be like mere senseless stones, but growing plants. Better is it to bear fruit than to wait to become only the sport of circumstances. -H.
EXPOSITION. Ver. 12.-And his brethren went to feed hoped to effect a reconciliation between therr their father'• flock in Bhechem-i. e. the and Joseph (Candlish). And he (i. e. Joseph modern Nablous, in the plain of Muknah, in response to this invitation, express~d 11 which belonged to Jacob partly by purchase willingness to undertake a mission to his and _partly by conquest (vide eh. xxxiii. 19; brethren, and) said to him, Here am I. xxx1v. 27). Shechem was at a considerable Ver. 14.-And he (Jacob) said to him, Go, distance from the vale of Hebron, where the I pray thee, see whether it be well with patriarchal family at this time resided. thy brethron (literally, see the place of thy Ver. 13.-And Israel (vide eh. xxxii. 28; breth,ren), and well with the fiooks (literally, :xx:xv. 10) said unto J'oseph, Do not thy ancl tl,e peace of the flock); and bring me brethren feed the flo~k (literally, Are not thy word again. So (literolly, and) he sent him brethren shepherdi'TIIJ f) in Bhechem t come, out ot the vale of Hebron (vide eh. xxF. and I will send thee unto them. Either he 2i', and he ea.me to Bhechem-a distance ol "·as solicitoue of the safety of his sons while ~ix ty miles. in the vicinity of Shechem (Lawson), or he Ve1·s. 15, 16.-Aud aoerta.inmin (or s'mp'.y Cl!. XXX \'II, 12-25.) THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 433