pathos of this pleading of Judah. 2. We learn from this position and plending of Judah as to_how we should approach God. Wo have sinned and can only throw our- selves on lns mercy. We see also how Christ pleads for us. His pleading ia real and earnest. He prayed on earth for his disciples. The present is o. dispensation of mediation. Hence Christ still pleads as our surety in heaven. II. JrrDAR's OFFER. He is _read)'. to be bound for Benjamin. It is one thing to talk, anot~er to act. He h~d pronused lus father to bring Benjamin again (eh. xliii. 9), and he Wishes to keep his word. He became surety, a g·uarnntee, ns one who is bound by signi_ng ~ pa~er._ He wa~ answerable t_o his_ father. He is ready to give his service for BenJamm, lus hfe for his brother. His faithfulness was thus proved. Christ is our surety. He makes himself one with us (Heb. ii. 11). lie sprang from Judah (Heh. -vii. 14 ). He became one with us in nature and in temptation, and was accepted as om substitute, was bound, abused, and crucified. He bore the curse for us (Gai'. iii. 13). He sacrificed himself for us. Christ died for us who were below him. We may see in the success of Judah'e pleading an indication of the success of Jesus' work. Joseph needed no entreaty to be m13rciful to Benjamin. He was nearer of kin to Benjamin than Judah was. So God is our Fatlier. Joseph only wished to see the brethren in a fit state to be forgiven. They were entirely for- given (vers. 5-15). He forgave freely, and wished them to forgive themselves. He knew -very well that if they began to blame themselves too much, or to upbraid each other, tLey would never be happy. Forgiveness should produce peace. 1. Let us see ourselves in those suppliant brothers of Joseph. 2. Let us see in Judah how Christ pleads for us, and with what power. Certainly he excelled in hie appeal, in wisdom, boldness, eloquence, tenderness, and self-sacrifice. How much more should we not praise Jesus for his power, his life, his love, sufferings, death, and present intercession. 3. Let us then trust him. ·what would have been thought of the others if they should have said to Judah, "You are not equal to being surety for him," or II You are not of sufficient standing, not above us, so as to speak in the name of the rest"? And is not Christ equal to the work of securing our salvation ? If he can do it, shall we attempt to mar by our meddling ? Full atonement is made, as well as powerful intercession offered. What we have to do is to trust Christ's, work. Let us give up hope of preparing ourselves. He is not like some who are sureties, and are unwilling to pay. He has paid. The law and justice have nothing to demand. Should either present a claim, point to the cross, for that answers all demands. Oh the mystery of redeeming love I Oh the simplicity and yet the depth of meaning contained in that work of Christ I It is a stumbling-block to the high-minded, but a. salvation to the humble.-H.
EXPOSITION. prcesentiam et aspectum \Luther). And he CHAPTER XLV. wept aloud (literally, and he gave forth, Vere. 1, 2.-Then (literally, anrl) Joseph or uttered, hts voice in weeping) : and the could not refrain himself (i. e. keep himself Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. from giving way to the impulses of love) The mea.ning is that the Egyptian officials of before all them that stood by him (i.e. the Joseph's house, who were standing outside, Egyptian officials of his household) ; and he heard, and reported it to the house of Pha- cried (or made proclamation, issued an in- raoh (Keil, Murphy). It is not necessary to struction), Cause every man to go out from suppose that J oseph's residence was so close me. And there etood no man with him, to the palace that his voice was heard by while Joeeph me.de himself known unto his the inmates (Lange). brethren. It was true delicacy on the part v'er. 3.. -And Joseph said unto his breth• of Joseph which prompted the discov~ry of ren, I am Joseph. The effect of this nn• himself to his brethren in private; not simply nouncement can be better imo.gined than 1,ecause he did not wish to pain his brethren described. Hitherto he had been known to hy a public reference to their past wicked- his brethren ns Zaphnath-paaneal1. Now ness, ne f acinus illud detestabile multis the voice and the appeo.rnnce of their long- testibus innotescat (Calvin), but because the lost brother would rush upon their minds o.t unrestrained outburst of emotion ergafratrea the first sound ofthe familiar nnme, and fill et parentem non posset f erre alienorum them with apprehension, Probably Joseph's OH. XLV, 1-15.) THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 495