The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 490

the same spirit of murder aa existed in Adam's, Like Cain, the sons of Jacob were of that wiclced one, and slew (in intention at least) their brother, and for the Rame reason (1 John iii. 12). 3. Ita impious desig11,--to spoil hie dreams. From this it is evident that they regarded hie dreams as a. Heaven-sent prognostication of hie future grea.ineea; else, if they regarded them as purely boyish fancies, why should they have felt annoyed at what was eo evidently groundless? Hence, in seeking to prevent the realisation of hie dreams they were actually fighting against God. But it is just precisely in proportion ae wicked men eee God's hand in any prophecy or programme that they take. measures to insure its defeat ( cf. 1 Sam. :x:.ix. 1 ; 2 Kings vi. 14 ). 4. Its ruthless e.xecution. They took him and cast him into a pit. The crime was perpe- trated (1) with insolent humiliation-they stripped the poor lad of his pretty coat; (2) with violent brutality-they caet him into the pit; Jeremiah waa leL down by cords (Jer, :xxxviii, 6) ; (3) with relentless cruelty-they heeded not his outcries and entreaties (eh. xiii 21, 22); and (4) with exquisite cold-bloodedness-having <le- ~patched their infernal business, with infinite nonchalance the ruffians sat down to eat bread, to regale their appetites after o. good day's work. III. THE ATTEMPTED RESCUE. The stratagem of Reuben waa-1. Mercifully designed. Reuben, in aome respects not a person to be greatly admired, weak and vacillating in hie character, and easily drawn aside by stronger natures into sinfol courses, appears in this matter to have been the only one of Joseph's brethren in whom the natural affections of a brother were not completely overborne. Though he wanted the courage to resist his stronger-minded brothers, he seems to have con- ceived the purpose of saving, if he could, the life of Joseph. So far the stratagem was good, only it was-2. Timidly planned. The narrative would almost seem to convey that Reuben in the first onset of his opposition to his brother's nefarious intentions had succeeded in wresting Joseph from their hands, Had he at that moment asserted himself with vigour and boldness, as became the firstbom of the house, he might have saved Joseph altogether. But, alas, true to his feeble and pusillanimous character, he allowed himself to be overcome by the clamours of his fiercer-natured brethren, and only proposed that instead of imbruing their hands in Joseph's blood they should inflict on him the horrors of starvation. In making such a proposal of course Reuben hoped to be able to effect his deliverance, in which he might have succeeded, had he acted with promptitude and decision. But instead his stratagem wne-3. Weakly carried through. Where Reuben was when his brethren were comforting their hearts with .a .dinner after Joseph's consignment to the cistern, and concocting the matter of his sale, the narrative does not say ; but most likely he was by himself, deliberating, and resolving, and hesitating, and delaying, instead of acting. Hence his stratagem was-4. Completely defeated. By the tin1e he had got his mind made up to act it was too late. When he returned to the pit Joseph was gone, and, like many another procrastinator, he could only bemoan his own folly. HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vere. 14, 15.-Josepli leaving home. "Go, I pray thee, seo whether," &c. Joseph left home unexpectedly. He knew not wl1en he left it to seek hie brethren that he would never come back again. After a longer journey than he anticipated Joseph finds his brethren. I. Like many leaving home, Joseph MET WITH ll'AITHFUL GUIDES. There are goner- ally companions, teachers, ministers to help. II. Like many leaving home, Joseph FELL INTO BNAREB. He could not help him- ~elf. The snares were not such as were willingly entered. The wicked entrapped l1im. On this youth, far frotn home, defenceless, and kindly-intentioned, nine cowardly men fell. Ill. Like many away from home, Joseph FOUND THAT Goo CARED Fon HIM WHEN ms EARTHLY FATHER COULD NOT. Reuben was the means of saving him from death, Sold into slavery, he was still on the highway to eminence. Wo have to bewaro of hateful nnd murderous thoughts, remembering" that he that hateth his brother is" (so I' I' 2  43G THE BOOK OF GENESIS. Leu. xxxvu. 26-36.