HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Cb. xliii.-Lessons of life. I. The chief lesson of this chapter is the MINGLING TOGETHER OF THE PROVIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT OF Gon WITH HIS PURPOSE OF GRACE. It was part of the Divine plan that Jacob and his family should be settled for a long period in Egypt. It could only be brought about by the transference in some way of the point of attraction to Jacob's heart from Canaan to the strange land. Hence "Jacob" is now "Israel," reminding us how the future is involved in all the events of this time. "Judah" is the chief agent in this matter. The very names are significant of Divine promises-" Judah,"" Israel," "Joseph," "Benjamin." The conduct of Joseph cannot be explained except on the ground of his inspiration. He is not acting. He is not trifling with human feelings. He is not merely fol- lowing the dictate of bis own personal affections. He is, under Divine direction, planning for the removal of his father's house to Egypt that the people of God may pass through their season of trial in the house of bondage. Another point- II. God's blessing on a 1'RUE HUMANITY. THE THOROUGHLY HUIIIAN CHARACTER OF THE NARRATIVE, The tenderness, the pathos, the simplicity, the truthfulness, espe- cially in the case of Joseph himself. How little he had been spoiled by prosperity I That is the criterion of real greatness. The Bible histories help us to keep in mind that real religion docs not suppress the human, but preserves and develops all that is beet nnd noblest in the man, Ill. 'l'HE GRACIOUS WISDOM OF THE GOOD MAN IN HIS CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS. Joseph's denting with his brethren grndunlly preparing their minds for the great announcement which was soon to be made. Both his kindness to them and his par- ticular inquiries after Jncob, and affectionate salute of Benjamin, must hnve roused tlun·r (YUnosity and disarmed their terrors. As they "drank nnd were merry " with the grent Egyptian ruler, nnd their youngest brother rejoiced in the special mark of favour, which was favour to all, they must have felt the bondage of their previous apprehensions slipping awny from them, and have nnticipated some good thing in preparation for them. Moreover, there may have been the intention working in Joseph's mind of accustoming the Egyptians to the sight of those Hebrew people, and so opening the way to their subsequent elevation when ns hie brethren he should settle them in Goshen. There was great wisdom in all this lingering in divulging the great secret. IV. THE MARK OJI' FAITH IS A SINGLE EYE TO GOD'S GLOilY. We should endeavour to blend the persMal with the larger interests of God's kingdom. Family life should be based upon religiousfoundations.-R. Ver. 18.-.Distrust the fruit o.f sin. Why should they be afraid? The invitation was an honour not unusual. Abraho.m was received at Pharaoh's court (Gen. xii. 15), And the brethren were evidently people of large possessions with e. considerable 488 TRE BOOK OF GENESIS. (ctI, XLIV. 1-34.
retinue, as they were to carry food for so many ; and they had brought the proof required that they were true men. Had Joseph intended to do them harm he might have done it before. It was consciou~ guilt that made them fear. What they had done to their brother suggested similar treatment being· meted to them. Perhaps they had almost forgotten it. But God left not himself without witness to bring their sin to remembrance, The stain of sin on the conscience is indelible. Time cannot, remove it. Occupation may turn the thoughts from it, but it returns again and again. The act of wrong may be little thought of at the time. Only after- wards is it felt that it cannot be undone (cf. 1 Cor. xv. 9). This explains the attitude of so many toward God. Why is there such slowness to receive the gospel just flB it is offered ? When men are bidden to their brother's table ; when his will is declared they shall sup with me ( cf. Rev. iii. 20), why is there such shrinking as if they were being led into danger; as if God were laying some obligation on them which they cannot fulfil, to bring them into bondage for ever? It is because of sin in the heart; perhaps unfelt, unthougbt of; but it is there, the fact of a self- chosen life. And if these are invited to closer communion with God, straightway they are afraid ; suspicious of God. And hence, when the gospel invitation is pressed, and the Lamb of God held up, and the power of the blood of Christ and the welcome for all proclaimed, and they are bidden to trust, to accept salvation, men try to fortify their position: "0 sir, we have done this or that" ( cf. Matt. xviii. 26), clinging to distrust instead of striving against it. I. Tms DISTRUST AND SUSPICION OF Gon ARISES FROM THE PRESENCE Oil' SIN NOT FULLY RECOGNISED AS SIN; while the man is still trying to set good deeds against bad ones, or to find excuses for faults. It is the effect of sin before conviction by the Holy Spirit. Real conviction brings to God (Pa. Ii. 4; Luke xviii. 13). It is unacknowledged sin that separates. II. DISTil.UST IS REMOVED BY A BEAL BELIEF IN THE ATONEMENT (Heb. ix. 25), God's plan for reconciling the sinful to himself (Rom. iii. 26). Hence this is the tum!ng point of the spiritual life (John iii. 18); the great work (John vi. 29) out of which, as from a germ, the whole Christian life must grow.-M.