The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 532

to do to keep themselves from etarving. If the thought of Egypt bad anything to do with their listlessness antl inactivity, it may remind us how dangerous it is to sin 'the memory of past transgressions having an uncomfortable habit of springing up ·at unexpected moments, like grim and shaggy lions in the path; if their spiritless dejection wns in no way connected with the Doth1m tragedy, it shows that saints are not necessarily a •whit more talented or fertile in expedient than their ungodly neighbours, and are frequently as helpless as the rest of them in the face of sudden an'd overwhelming calamities. Grae~, though it gives goodness, does not guarantee gr_eatness. ·3. Tlte parental exhortation. Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, and forthwith proposed that his sons should undertake a journey thither to fetch a supply for their necessities, at the same time prefacing his sound advice with a word of'brisk reproof at their want of push in the face of news so full of comfort and hope ns that gruin m_ight be had for the purchase. Jacob clearly discerned that, while it was right in them to look to God for help in their distress, it was also expected of them by God that they shoultl help themselves. Although God promises to give his people bread, he does not undertake to relieve them of all trouble in the matter. If be provides corn in Egypt, he expects men to go for it; and it is a mark of sound sense, if it is not a sign of grace, when men are able to detect in Egypt providential supplies for their necessities. 4. The important mission. Concerning \vhich may be noticed-(!) The number of the travellers: Joseph's ten brethren. Whether it was for safety to themselves, or for the advantage of the household to enable them to return with larger supplies, it was clearly a wise providential arrangement that the ten brethren who had sinned against the son of Rachel should go down to Egypt. (2) The destination of the travellers: Egypt. In all probability Egypt was the last ·place that they ,vould ever have thought of going to. It is scarcely likely that they bad quite forgotten Joseph. Whether or not they suspel!ted that Joseph might yet be alive, they knew that be had gone to Egypt as a slave. And now they were themselves upon the way to the scene of Joseph's captivity. If Joseph's brethren were thoughtful men at nil, they must have had their reflections by the way. (3) The object of the travellers: to buy corn. This at least was a lawful and an bonour- e.ble purpose, which is more than could be said of some of their previous adventures. But God's people, whether they abide in Canaan or go to Egypt, should follow peace with, and provide things honest in the sight of, all men. 5. The paternal reserva- tion. "But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren." If Jacob's reason for detaining Benjamin was anxiety for himself, who was now an ohl man, and afraid to lose the lad who served him 11.B the son of his old age, it may remind us of the feebleness and helplessness of age, and of the duty of the young to comfort and assist the old. If it was anxiety for Benjamin, whom he fenrcd to expose to the fate 0£ Joseph, it is a beautiful example of the tenderness and strength of a fnther's love, nnd may well suggest the duty of rewarding that love with true filial affection. If it was anxiety for his ten sons, lest in the case of Benjamin they should repeat the crime·which they had perpetrated against Joseph, it shows how difficult it is to remove from the minds of others, even of those who have the most disposition to judge us with charity, unfavourable impressions concerning ourselves when once they have been formed. There is good reason for believing that a change had passed upon the characters of Joseph's brethren since the dark deed at Dothan. Yet the old man was afraid to trust them. If once by our wiokedness we forfeit the confidence of our fellow-men, these are not to be blamed if in future they fail to trust our integrity and honour. II. THE INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR (vers. 6-25). 1. Humble !tomage to the governor. Arriving in Egypt, the sons of Jacob were conducted to the pre- sence of the viceroy, and they "bowed down before him with tlieir faces." Such respectful behaviour was due to the majesty of him in whose presence they stood (Rom. xiii. 7), .nnd was admirably fitted to the character in which they came. They who have a suit to press, at nn earthly or n heavenly throne, should be "clothed with humility." 2. Non-recognition of the governor. The moment Joseph looked upon the Hebrew strangers he knew them to be hie brethren. But they entirely failed to discern him; because (1) ho spoke like a. foreigner-" un interpreter was between them ;''(2) he dressed like rrn Egyp1ian - he wore n garment of hyssu,i, like nn  480 THE BOOK OF GENESIS, [en. XLII, 1-38.