far ns intent goes) " a murderer." In all journeyings we have to commit our way unto the Lord, and he will guide and defend.-H. Yers. 20, 21.-Coa's pi·ovuknce and man's i·espon.sibili,ty. I. Goo's PURPOSES CAR• RIED OUT BY MEN IRRESPECTl VE OF 'l'HEIR OWN PLANS. The word to Abraham ( eh. x,·. 13) does not seem to have been thought of by Jacob. After long wandering he seemed to be settled in Canaan. But God was bringing to pass his word. Jacob's injudicious fondness for Joseph, the anger and murderous design of his brethren ( cf. John xi. 50; Acts iii. 17), Reuben's timid effort for his deliverance ( cf. Acts v. 38), Judah's worldly wise counsel (cf. Luke xiii. 31), Joseph's imprisonment by Potiphar, the conspiracy in Pharaoh's household, were so many steps by which the sojourn in Egypt was brought about. So in the founding of the Christian Church. The writing on the cross (John xix. 20) pointed to three separate lines of hist11ty, two of them pagan, which combined to bring about the sacrifice of Christ and the spread of the gospel. So in the case of individuals. God's promises are sure (2 Cor. i. 20). There may seem to be many hindrances, from ourselves (Ps. !xv. 3) or from circum- stances; but no cause for doubt (Luke xii. 32; xxii. 35). Unlikely or remote causes are often God's instruments. The envy of the Jews opened for St. Paul, through his imprisonment, a door to the Gentiles which otherwise he would not have had (Acts xxL 28; Phil. i. 13). IL IT IS NO EXCUSE FOR WRONG-DOING THAT IT HAS WORKED GOOD (cf. Rom. iL 19). The cruel act of his brethren brought about the realising of Joseph's· dreams, his greatness in Egypt, the support of the whole family during the famine, and the ful- filment of God's word; but not the l6ss was it wrong (eh. xiii. 21; cf. Matt. XXYi, 24). Moral guilt depends not upon the result, but on the motive. God has given the knowledge of redemption to move our will, and the example of Christ and the moral law to guide our lives. The fulfilment of his purposes belongs to himself. He needs not our help to bring it to pass. It is not his will that we should forsake his immu- table rules of right and wrong, even for the sake of bringing on the fulfilment of prophecy. Much evil has sprung from neglect of this-e. g. the maxim, Faith need not he kept with heretics. God's will and promise, Ps. xxxvii. 3-5. III. To EACH ONE THEBE IS A HISTORY WITHIN A HISTORY. Our actions lead to their appropriate results (Gal. vi. 8) at the same time that they tend to carry out God's purposes, whether we will or not. Each one is a factor in the great plan which in the conrse of ages God is working out (John v. 17). Men such as they are, wise or ignorant, guided by the Spirit or resisting him, loving or selfish, pressing upwards or following worldly impulses, all are so directed by a power they cannot comprehend that they bring about what he wills (Pa. ii. 2-4). But along with this there is a history which concerns oureelvee, which we write for ourselves, the is1mes of which depend immediately upon ourselves. To each a measure of time, knowledge, opportunity has been given, on the use of which the line of our course_ depends. Nothing can turn aside the course of God's providence ; but upon our fa1thfulnese or unfaithfulness depends our place and joy in it. Hence encouragement to work for Christ, however small our powers (1 Sam. xiv. 6). The little is accepted as well as the great; and as "workers together with him" (2 Cor. vi. 1) our work cannot be in Yain.-M.
EXPOSITION. Yers. 26, 27. - And .Judah (apparently prcssly, our brotl1er and our flesh ho (cf. eh. ,,hrinkilig from the idea of murder) said unto xxix. '!4). And his brethren were content his brethren, What profit is it if (literally, -literally, hearkened, viz., to the proposal. what of advantage that) we slay our brother, Ver. 28.-Then there passed by Midian- and conceel his blood t (i. e. and hide tho ites merchantmen ;-literolly, and passed b?J fact of his murder). Come, and let us sell the men, Midian.ites (by country), merchants him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand (by profession). On the different appellations be upon him (literally, and our hand, let it given to tho trailers vide infra, ver. 36- not be upon him, i. e. to slay him); tor ho and they-not the Midianitcs (Davidson), iii our brother an<l our fiesh· or, more ex- b11t Joscph's brethren-drew and lifted up ell. XXXYII. 26--30.] 'I'l!B BOOK OF GEXESIS. 437