The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 566

HOMILETICS. Vera. 28 - 31. - Jacob's residence in Egypt. I. JAcon's PEACEFUL OLD AGE. "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen yeara." After an eventful and chequered pilgrimage of 130 years, during which Jacob had made large experience of the ills of life, having encountered adversity in forms both more numerous and severe than are allotted to most, be had at length rencbed a happy harbour of rest in the calm contemplative evening of old age, exchanging the anxieties and toils of his previously wandering condition for a hoine of ease and comfort in the fat land of Goshen, and bidding· farewell to all his past tears and sorrows in the enjoyment of the tender care and rich love of Joseph, Racbel's son. Verily, with this old weather- beaten tmveller it had become light nt eventide. It is noticeable that Jacub lived as long ll time in Egypt as Joseph bnd spent in Jacob's home in Ca.naan-scventeen yenrs-thus receiving an ample recompense for the affection he had 11\Vishctl on his son. Let parents be encouraged thereby to love and care for their children in the tender yenrs of infancy and youth; and let children see in Joseph nn example of the rich return which they ebould give their parents, cherishing nmid the infirmities o.f nge those who have watched over them, and loved them, and prayed for them with so much solicitude and affection. II. JACOB'S APPROACHING DISSOLUTION. "The time drew nigh that Israel must die." It wns a time that Israel had now for some considerable period been nntici- pating. When be stood before Pharaoh be informed that auguGt but benevolent monarch that he reckoned his earthly pilgrimage ns g·ood as closed. At least his words imply that he bad no expectation of living to the age of his revered nncestors. Consequently he was not surprised, though he perceived that death wns rapidly gain- ing ground upon his feeble steps. Perfectly nwnre that it was nppointecl w1to ull men once to die, be hod been piously, while reposing beneath the shadow of Joseph's wing, reckoning up the number of his own d1tys in particular, and bad found that the allotted span was nearly passed. Nor does it appear that he was alarmed by the knowledge of thnt melancholy fact. Tho man who had fought with God and pre- 1•ailed was not likely to be dismayed by the prospect of engaging with the king of terrors. He who had been so long in the enjoyment of Jebovah's friendship and salvation would scarcely regard it as a hardship to be translated to Jehovah's pre- sence. Let the saints learn to number their days that so thC'y may apply their hearts LL2 616 'l'HE BOOK OF GENESIS. [CH. XL\'11. 28-31.