found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

14¶ And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

18 ¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.

26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:

28 And the one went out from me, and I

said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since :

29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

30 Now therefore When I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die : and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. (1) Heb. him that was over his his

house.

4

(2) Or, maketh trial? (3) Or, make trial? (4) Heb. find my father.

IN shewing kindness to others, there is need of much judgment, lest we betray some improper feeling. It is far more difficult to maintain an even path in an elevated situation, than many suppose. Joseph had been kind to his brethren, though they knew him not. He intended still to shew them more kindness, when he had made himself known. But that would form no excuse for adding to their sorrows, or assuming a position which did not properly belong to him. The expedient he adopted in taking Benjamin from them, as he had taken Simeon before, certainly proves the truth of the above remark. His motive may have been good, in wishing to know whether his brethren loved Benjamin as they said they did. But his manner of testing it surely proves that the best of characters are not without faults; and that all are sinners in the sight of God.

Imagine the distress of the brethren when detected in an apparent theft, though really innocent of the crime imputed to them. No doubt they felt shocked at the charge, and were overwhelmed with pain and sorrow, chiefly, as the result proves, on account of Benjamin and their father. This is clear,

from the eloquent and touching appeal which Judah made on behalf of his brother, which may be justly pronounced one of the most beautiful specimens of real eloquence ever uttered by the lips of man.

Does not this incident afford us a simple illustration of the Redeemer's engagements for his people? One of the most cheering offices he holds, is that of our surety and substitute. He stands before the throne of the Father as the sinner's surety, and pleads on behalf of his people. "He was wounded

for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;" by his "stripes we are healed." (Is. liii. 5.) All this he freely undertook and fully accomplished, as surety; just as Judah became surety to his father for Benjamin's safe return.

our

The consequence of the suretyship of Jesus, is his glorious and effectual intercession. Because he is our surety, he is our "advocate with the Father." (1 John ii. 1.) "He ever liveth to make intercession" (Heb. vii. 25) for us. That all his redeemed might be called, pardoned, justified, sanctified, saved, glorified (see Rom. viii. 29, 30), is his constant plea. And oh! how eloquently, how affectionately, how successfully, does Jesus plead! Father, I knew that thou hearest me always." (John xi. 41, 42.) "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory." (John xvii. 24.)

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Are you the object of that intercession? Is the Lord Jesus your advocate with the Father? Are all the concerns of your soul and of your body entrusted to his hands? Are you washed in his blood? Do you rely on his merits? Are you upheld by his grace? Survey your glorious advocate. Dwell upon the riches of his love. Plead his gracious intercession. Rejoice in his great salvation.

CHAPTER XLV.

1 Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren. 5 He comforteth them in God's providence. 9 He sendeth for his father. 16 Pharaoh confirmeth it. 21 Joseph furnisheth them for their journey, and exhorteth them to concord. 25 Jacob is revived with the news.

Tbefore all them that stood by him; and

HEN Joseph could not refrain himself

he cried, Cause every man to go out from

me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were 'troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

4

7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast :

11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16¶ And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto

thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's.

21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the 7 commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

23 And to his father he sent after this

manner; 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.

24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

25¶ And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And 'Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

(1) Heb. gave forth his voice in (5) Heb. was good in the eyes of weeping.

(2) Or, terrified.

(3) Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes.

(4) Heb. to put for you a remnant.

Pharaoh.

(6) Heb. let not your eye spare, &c. (7) Heb. mouth. (8) Heb. carrying. (9) Heb. his.

THIS chapter brings us to the point towards which the preceding events have been gradually leading; namely, Joseph's making himself known to his brethren, together with their mutual expressions of affection and goodwill, and the abundant provision he made for the whole of his family. Altogether it is one of the most interesting records contained in the Bible. It displays the providence of God, the workings of filial affection, and the power of divine grace, in a remarkable degree.

The plea of Judah (in the former chapter) prevails; Joseph could no longer refrain from making himself known. But this he would do in a manner that became the occasion. It must be to his brethren alone: no man must be with him. All his attendants, and others, must go from his presence. There he stands in the presence of his brethren alone; and they stood wondering and trembling before him. Then the great secret comes forth; his heart is ready to burst; the tears gush from his eyes; he lifts up his voice and weeps aloud, so that the Egyptians hear him; then he speaks the affectionate words, "I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?"

Judge of the surprise, the astonishment, the confusion, the dismay of their minds, when they heard these words. He whom they had envied and hated; whose life they had devised to take away; whom they had cruelly and unnaturally sold as a slave, regardless of his entreaties and cries, now stood before them as the ruler of all the land of Egypt, with full power to avenge all his wrongs, and yet declaring himself their brother! No wonder they could not answer him; no wonder they were troubled at his presence. Shame and confusion, fear and terror, must have filled their minds. Nor was it until he had kindly dissipated their fears, by acknowledging the hand of God in ordering his course, and assuring them of his forgiveness and love, and that he would take care of his father, and of them, and all their households during the famine, and by giving them renewed tokens and pledges of his unalterable affection, that they could venture even to look upon his countenance, or speak freely unto him. The happy intelligence spread throughout the court. Pharaoh was pleased. Joseph was commissioned to bring the whole family into Egypt; and there, in the best of the land, they were to be fed and nourished all through the famine. His brethren hasten home; they bring the joyful news to their father. The aged saint at first distrusts their words; but when he sees the provision made by his beloved son for his journey, his spirits revives; his fears are gone; he resolves to go and see his son before he dies.

Such is the account given of Joseph's

making himself known to his brethren. Now take notice, by way of improvement, there is that interesting period in the experience of the children of God when the Lord makes himself known to them, as their brother, Saviour, and Redeemer. Till this takes place, they are not brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God; nor can they say," My beloved is mine, and I am his." (Cant. ii. 16.) There may indeed be much known of the Lord, and what he hath done for the soul; and they may have often had many pleasing indications of his mercy and love, as Joseph's brethren had before they knew him. But all this is mixed with a very great degree of fear and uncertainty respecting the safety of the soul after all. Sometimes that fear becomes very distressing indeed; and they are led to very earnest and urgent cries for mercy, throwing them more entirely than ever on the undertaking and death of the blessed Redeemer. In that state they may be for some time; but then comes the happy day of the Saviour's manifestation to the soul. Oh! what a time of love is that. No tongue can describe it; no heart but that which receives it can at all enter into the mercy vouchsafed. The Holy Spirit manifests the Saviour to the heart, reveals him to the soul; believer is assured of his Saviour's love and salvation. gone. He rejoices in the Lord, and joys in his salvation. (Hab. iii. 15.) Thus he no longer confers "with flesh and blood." (Gal. i. 16.) He has the "spirit of adoption." (Rom. viii. 15.) He can "cry Abba, Father." (Rom. viii. 15; Gal. iv. 6.) The Spirit bears witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. (Rom. viii. 16.) He walks with God as a Father: and Christ is in him, the hope of glory. (Col. i. 27.)

and the happy interest in the

His fears are

of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

5 And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.

8 ¶ And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.

10 And the sons of Simeon; 'Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish

woman.

11 And the sons of Levi; "Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamel.

13 ¶ And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.

14 ¶ And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

15 These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padan-aram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.

16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and 'Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.

17¶ And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.

18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.

19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.

20 ¶ And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.

21 ¶ And the sons of Benjamin were Belah,

and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and 'Huppim, and Ard.

22 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.

23¶ And the sons of Dan; 10 Hushim. 24 ¶ And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.

25 These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were

seven.

26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his "loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

28¶ And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.

31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

32 And the men are shepherds, for "their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.

33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?

we,

34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Here

His whole life had literally been a pilgrimage. Such had been his father's before him. again he is called, in the providence of God, to take another and his last journey into Egypt; but probably this was of a far more agreeable nature than any he had taken before. When he first left his home it was as an exile. When he returned it was in great fear. During his sojourn in the land of promise, he had many sorrows and trials; but now he was going to see his long-lost and most beloved son Joseph; and the very prospect of the interview gave fresh vigour to his aged steps. May it not be so ordered in the providence of God, that our last days may be some of the sweetest we have ever passed? and our last moments some of the sweetest enjoyments on this side glory? After Many of the Lord's people find it so. many a severe storm, they have had a sweet serenity at last. Departing in peace, they have entered into that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Israel had a long journey before him, but he was wonderfully strengthened for it. Not a step would he move, till he had first committed himself and all that belonged to him to God. He offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. What a lesson to all! Ought you not to act in the same manner ? Before you set out on your way, or before you take any matter in hand, ought you not to seek the mercy and favour of our reconciled God? Jacob's God is our God. The God that his father Isaac adored, is the God revealed in the gospel. Do you not need his mercy and grace, his blessing and guidance? In answer to Jacob's prayer, the Lord appeared unto him in the visions of the night, and assured him of his interest in his love. He would be with him in Egypt. He would bring his seed up again from thence; there he should close his eyes in peace, and enter into his final rest. How cheerful, how refreshing, how supporting, must this manifestation of peculiar favour and love have been to his soul! It was the very blessing suited to his case; and according to his day, so his strength was given. May you not expect the same? Is not the promise sure? Will not the Lord be with his people still? Will he not cheer them by his presence, guide them