HOmLETICS. Vers. 16-28.-Joseph' s inintation to Jacob. I. AuTIIORISED DY PIIARAOH. Though possessed of the liberty to issue such II commission as he hue\ just intrusted to his brethren, Joseph felt that it would be right and proper to have his sovereign's sanction. Accordingly, on mentioning the mutter to tho lung, the required consent was-I. Immediately obtained. "Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go get you unto the land of Canaan; 1tnd tnke your father and your households, 1tnd co:Ue unto me." It was 1tlso-2. Sincel'ely given, as was attested by the royal order to take Egyptian curricles in order to convey the immigrants. "Now thou nrt com- manded this do ye; take you wagons out of the fond of Egypt for your little ones, nnd for your wives, nnd bring your father, and come," And, still fnrther, it was- K K2 500 Tlu.: BOOK OF GENESIS. [cu. XLV, 16-28.
3, Wa1"11uy m·ged, oy a handsome promise-" I will give you the good of the lnnd of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land "-nnd an earnest exhortation-" Also reg·nrd not your stuff; for the g·ood of all the land of Egypt is yours." II. ATTESTED DY JOSEPH, Had the sincerity of Joseph stood in need of any demonstration, it would at once.have been supplied by-1. The 8JJlendid carriagea he sent from Eip•pt to convey his father. That they had such an mfluence upon the heart of Jacob 1s apparent from the narrative. At first the old man could not bring himself to credit the report which his .sons brought; but when he saw the wao-ons 0 which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 2. The valuable preBenf,s he bestowed upon his brethren and sent to his father: to each of the ten "changes of raiment; " to Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five "changes of raiment; " to his father ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she- asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. Gifts such as these were an index to the love which dwelt in Joseph's heart. 3. The good counsel he addressed to his brethren: "See that ye fall not out by the way." It was not likely if they disagreed among themselves that they would execute successfully the great commission Joseph had intrusted to them. It was a token of his anxiety for their accomplishing his mission that they should unitedly and lovingly address them- selves to its performance. Ill. REPORTED BY THE BRETHREN. On arriving at ·Hebron in the land of Canaan the sons of Jacob hastened to unburden themselves of their marvellous intelligence. The invitation of Joseph was detailed-I. Ji'aitlifully. On the last occasion on which they had returned to Hebron with tidings concerning Joseph they had lied, and their father believed them ; this time, although the old man believed not, what they said was true: "Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt," adding that he wished his venerable parent to go down to Egypt beside him. 2. Fully. "They told him all the words of Joseph which he had said unto them," not forgetting to deli-er him the presents, anil point him to the wagons or royal carriagea which his son had sent for his conveyance thither. IV. .ACCEPTED BY JACOB. The strange tale to which the old man listened seemed on its first hearing to be incredible. Such a shock did it give to his feeble sensi- bilities that his heart almost stopped its beating. Apprehending that they were only mocking his already aged and bereaved spirit, he believed them not. But at length the splendid carriages carried conviction to his mind, and he believed-I. With holy sa.tujactwn. "It is enough." Since this was true, he bad no desires unsatisfied below. 2. With paternal love. "Joseph my son" (what tenderness in the words I) "is yet alive." 3. With simple confidence. "I will go down and see him before I die." HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vere. 16-28.-The grace of God to his people. We are now dealing no longer with Josepb's personal history, but brought out into the larger sphere of "tM children of Israel" (ver. 21), Already it may be said the Egyptian period in the history of the children of Israel has com~enced. Pharaoh comes upon the scene und his servants. All the wealth of Egypt 1s placed at the command of Israel. The men who had been the transgressors against Joseph are now the mediators of the great change in the condition and prospects of the Israelitish race. The effect upon tlie old man's heart.-R. Vers. 25-28.-The believer led to his reward. Jacob's incredulity conquered. His spirit revived. His resolution tnken. I, OUR ENJOYMENT 011' WHAT Goo HAS PREPARED Fon us 18 DEPENDENT UPON OUR CONFIDENT BELIEF AND EXPECTATION. 1. Separation from the old for the new life involves a struggle with self, with _circumstanc:es, with felJo'_V-men. 2. The future must be laid hold of. We must believe that the better place 1e prepared for us, that the will of God is good. 11. WE GAIN THE VICTORY OVER NATURAL FEAnB, D0UDTB, AND DIFFICUL'l'JES WHBN W& Sn!PLY LOOK AT THE FACTS AB GOD HAS BET 'fHEM BEFORE UB, D0'l'H IN HIB WORD !ND IN ms PROVIDENCE. 'fhe men were deceivers. The facts, the wagons, the good things, the blessings plainly sent of God, earnest of t4e future, would not deceive. 0.R, :tLVl. 1-34.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 601