HOMILIES BY VA RIO US AUTHORS. Vem. 1-10. -The presentation to Pharaoh. I. TESTIMONY TO POWER OF CHARACTER. Joseph's influence. 'fhe five brethren selected perhaps with a view to their appear- ance, and in the number five, which was regarded as a significant number among the Egyptians. The monarch's reception of the strangers due to Joseph's influence. Generally diifused. There is much graciousness in the heathen monarch, although partly to be ascribed to national characteristics, for the Egyptians were a very dif- ferent race from the Canaanites; still we may believe that the conduct of Pharaoh was mostly due to the effect of Joseph's ministry and personal exemplification of the religious life. One true man is a great power in a country. 11. A CONSPICUOUS E~AMrLE of Divine g-race. The old patriarch is presented. He plainly illlpressed tbe monarch as extremely aged, perhaps indicating that the cen- tenarian was o. great rarity then among heathen nations. His long life wos a long courRe of gracious dealings. The efect of a religious life in prolonging the years. is exemplified. It iB said that since Christianity obtained its legitimate, or more of its legitimate influence in Europe, the average length of human life has been doubled. Yet, as Jacob confesses, he is not as oh!, as liis fathers; His life had b~en a pilgrimage in a wilderness. His days few and evil, compared with what they might have been. Seventeen years longer they were lengthened out-a testimony to the effect of peace and prosperity in preserving lifo when it is under the blessing of God. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. The less is blessed of the greater. The two princes stood face to face- the prince of God-the prince of Egypt. III. A PROPHETIC FACT: the world shall be blessed through the heirs of the Divine promise. Jacob had much to be thankful for; and although he thanked God first, he teaches us by his example not to forget the claims of fellow-creatures in our gratitude, even though they be separated from us in faith and religion.-R. Ver. 9.-The ducipline of life. Few and evil, yet 130 years; and how many blesR- ings temporal and spiritual ha<l been received during their course. We need not 1mppose him untbankful. But blessings do not of themselves make a man happy. Some worm may be at the root. And in Jacob'a case early faults cast a shadow over his whole lifo. The remembrance of early deceit, his natural shrinking from danger, bis family cares, his mourning for Rachel (eh. xlviii. 7) and for Joseph. gnve a tinge OB. XLVII 11-27.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS.
of melancholy not entirely to be taken away even by receiving hie son as it were from the dead. The retrospect of hie life seemed that of a EJUffering man. I. ABIDING BORROW JS THE FRUIT OF EARLY FAULTS, THOUGH REPENTED OF (1 Cor. xv. 9). It does not necessarily imply separation from God, or doubt of personal salvation. I£ 11 a godly sorrow," it works repentance, i. e. a more complete turning to God. But just as early neglect of the laws affecting bodily health produces a lasting effect, however carefully these laws may be attended to in after years, so neglect of God's moral and spiritual laws produces sorrow, varying in kind, antl in the channel by which it comes, but bearing witness to the truth of God's uncea11ing watchfulness. II. THE DISCIPLINE OF LIFE 18 NOT IN ANGER, BUT FOR OUR PURIFICATION. Thus suffering may be a blessing. But for sorrow Jacob might have sunk into taking his ease. His besetting danger was worldly carefulness (eh. xxx. 41). So sorrow, from outward circumstances or from inward reflection, often brings us nearer God. It teaches the vanity of eartl:: that we may realise the blessedness of the inheritance above ; that frail and weary we may cling more closely to the promises of the rest which remaineth (Heh. iv. 9). III. THIS LIFE IS INTENDED TO BE A PILGRIMAGE, NOT A REST. Its blessedness con- sists not in present enjoyment, but in preparation £or the rest to come (Luke xii. 20, 21). We are reminded that there is a goal to be reached, a prize to be won (1 Uor. ix. 24 ; 1 Pet. i. 3-9), and that the time is short, that we may put forth all our efforts (Eccles. ix. 10) to overcome besetting faults and snares of worldliness. A pilgrim (Heh. xi. 14) is seeking a country not yet reached. The remembrance of this keeps the life God ward. True faith will work patience and activity; true hope will work cheerfulness under hindrances, and, if need be, under sufferings. And the love of Christ (John xiv. 2, 3), and the consciousness that we ,ire his, will constrain us "to walk even as he walked." For what are you striving? to lade yourself with thick clay ? To gain honour, renown, admiration, bodily enjoyment? or as a pilgrim (Num. x. 29) walking in Christ's way, and doing Christ's work ?-M.
EXPOSITION.