Genesis 30

Genesis 30:1-6

Joseph is now the servant of Potiphan, and a diligent servant he is. He was not pining under the servitude to which he was reduced, but diligently industrious in his station, conforming his mind to his circumstances. Learn, It is a blessed symptom of a gracious state, when reduced low, to be content and satisfied. Potiphan’s house was a good school: whilst he learnt so obey as a servant, he learnt also to rule as a master. God was with him, and the evident blessing which attended him hastened that advancement, which his industry and fidelity deferred. And now, from a perchafed slave he becomes lord of all; and, for Joseph’s sake, all things prospered in the Egyptian’s house. Learn, (1.) If God be with us, it is well whereever we are. (2.) His blessing it is, which maketh rich; without it, we labour in vain, and spend our strength for rought. (3.) A godly, truly servant is an inestimable treasure; they who are wise, will know how to value and prefer them.

About 1799.

7. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Let with me. 8. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. 9. There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me, but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and s’ sin against God? 10. And it came to pass as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to

lie by her, or to be with her. 11. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand; and fled, and got him out.

Genesis 30:7-12

Joseph was handsome, and that is his share. Note, Beauty, though so highly valued, is oftentimes a dangerous gift, and brings us into many difficulties, which otherwise we might have escaped.

1. Potiphan’s wife beheld the pleasing youth, and, yielding to the dire temptation, drank in at her eyes what poisoned her heart. Hurried on by lawless paffion, the prefers him to her bed, and with ceaseless importunity, lost to all shame and muskility, wasarises him from day to day. Note, (1.) When a woman becomes abandoned, she is wise indeed; she forgets to blush, and flocks at nothing to gratify her rage. (2.) They who would keep a guard over their heart, must make a covenant with their eyes.

2. Joseph’s resolute chastity. A most astonishing influence of virtue, and highly worth imitation. Satan had tried this severity of affliction; he happens it: but he freezes now a more fiery dart from his quiver; and how many have fallen hereby, that have wishlessed the bitterest crobes! A fiery furnace is left to be feared, than a beautiful abandoned woman. But what cannot alrightly grace effect? Though young and vigorous, living in plenty at his master’s raft, his midwife the tempter, from whose favour he had every thing to hope, and from her disastrous every thing to fear; though alone, where no discovery could be feared, and even suspicion must be banished; though follicited, importuned, repeatedly, nay, with violence afflicted; he can refill, refute, yea, suffer every torment, rather than wound his own conscience, or his master’s honour. It were basic ingratitude for the favours he had received; it were unbecoming a son of Israel; it was a crime of aggravated guilt; and, above all, it was against God. Determined therefore, he turns a deaf ear to her insecurity; and when she seized his cloak, as one escaping for his life, he leaves his garment in her hand. Learn, (1.) Flight is the best perseverance from violent temptations to lewdness. (2.) Better hazard our life, than wound our conscience. (3.) A deep sense of the evil of sin, is the great preservative against it.

3. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14. That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us: he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a + loud voice. 15. And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me and fled, and got him out. 16. And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me. 18. And it came to pass, as I lift up my voice, and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

Genesis 30:13-19

What savage beast so cruel, as an enraged and frightened woman? Whilst chaste love is constant and unchangeable, disappointed lust turns to the fiercest hatred. The servants are called; the affiant loudly complained of; the garment laid up as a proof of the guilt; and his quitter no sooner returned, than informed of the pretended violence, and insolent assault on her honour. Note, (1.) There is no protection from a lying tongue. (2.) The hell of men have been accused of the most atrocious crimes. (3.) There is such a readiness to believe evil, especially against the provisions of religion, that the most improbable story gains easy credit. (4.) It is the comfort of injured innocence, that the day is coming, when, if not before, God will vindicate their cause.

19. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did the servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the + prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison: and whatsoever they did there, he was the door of it. 23. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was

Phil. ex. 25.

Genesis 30:24

In this chapter we have an account of the increase. 1. Of Jacob’s family, Dan and Naphtali by Bilbah, Rachel’s maid, vers. 1—8. God and Ather by Zilpah, Leah’s maid, vers. 9—13. Ifschar, Zebulun, and Dinah, by Leah, vers. 14—21. And last of all, Joseph by Rachel, vers. 22—24. 2. Of Jacob’s estate. He comes upon a new bargain with Laban, vers. 25—34. And in the six years further service he did to Laban, God wonderfully blessed him, so that his flesh of cattle became very considerable, vers. 35—43. And herein was fulfilled the blessing which Isaac dismissed him with, chap. xxviii. 3. God make thee fruitful and multiply there.

1. AND when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and did unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2. And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, “An I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? 3. And she said, Behold, my maid Bilbah, go in unto her; and ‘she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. 4. And she gave him Bilbah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob

VOL. I.

went in unto her. 5. And Bilbah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. 6. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. 7. And Bilbah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. 8. And Rachel said, With great wrestling have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. 9. When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10. And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son. 11. And Leah said, A troop cometh; and she called his name Gad. 12. And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son. 13. And Leah said, I happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed; and she called his name Ather.

6. 1—13. From connections like Jacob’s, little domestic happiness could be expected. Accordingly we find,

7. Rachel’s envy at her sister, and her perverse demand from her husband; she speaks as one at the point of death. Note, (1.) Envious discontent and disappointed pride, have the most fatal effects. A broken heart is not a death to uncommon perhaps, as it is thought to be. (2.) Inordinate desire after creature comforts, makes all our miseries.

8. Jacob’s reproof. It was impiety to quarrel with God’s dissensions. He compelled therefore warmly as he loved. Note, (1.) Our love to the person, must not suffer us to connive at their sons. (2.) In all our trials, God must be applied to. (3.) It is folly as well as sin, to expect that happiness from the creature, which only God can believe.

9. The wrong expedient Rachel took to relieve herself. The none surely could be so near as her sister’s children, she could not rule them the thought, as she could those of her servant, and therefore Jacob must take her maid to wife; and when she bore two sons, they have names of contentions, Dan and Naphtali given them, as if she had now prevailed. Note, It is the wickedness of parents to transmit their quarrels in their children.

10. The same expedient used by Leah. Perhaps he contented at Rachel’s importunity, and now he cannot refuse Leah pleading the precedent. Note, When we are overcome with sin once, we shall more easily yield to it a second time. Leah succeeds as her sister, in two sons, Gad a troop, and Ather herself, and counts herself happy, that she shall be esteemed for her numerous brood. Note, (1.) It is the folly of many, that they are governed by the estimation of the world, more than by reason or religion. (2.) It is no hessening of our guilt, that God brings good out of evil.

11. ¶ And Reuben went in the days of wheat-harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy sons mandrakes. 15. And she said unto her, It is a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldst thou take away my sons mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy sons mandrakes. 16. And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me, for surely I have hired thee with my sons mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. 17. And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son. 18. And Leah said, God hath given me nine hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Ifschar. 19. And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20. And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry: now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. 21. And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

12. 14—21. Leah’s bed was now deserted, and she is punished thereby for her intrusion into Jacob’s; but an occurrence happens, which reflects her to him, and makes her again the joyful mother of children.

13. Rachel, taken with the sight of mandrakes, whether flowers or fruit seems doubtful, which Reuben had brought his mother Leah, contents to give Jacob up to her for a night, in exchange for thee. Note, Our different patients often cross one another: to gratify one, we must mortify the other.

14. Leah from thence brings forth Ifschar, and counts him her hire. So apt are we to think success a proof of the rightness of the deed. Again she bears Zebulun, and Dinah, and then concludes the shall now possess more of Jacob’s company, but is perhaps mistaken. Nothing can supply the place of affection.

15. ¶ And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23. And she conceived and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach. 24. And she called his name, Joseph; and said, ‘The LORD shall add to me another son.

16. Had Rachel but exercised the patience of Rebekah, she had not been so badly to put her handmaid in her place. More prayer, and less worldly wisdom, had better answered her end; for now, at her earnest prayer, God remembers her and gives her a son. She calls him Joseph, in token of her confidence in the increase of her children, now she began to hear. Now, How little do we know what is good for ourselves. This name had not been given, if the could have foreseen her next son must be her death.

17. ¶ And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26. Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

Genesis 30:25

26. Jacob now, after his long absence, began to think of home. The land of Canaan was not only the land of his nativity, but the land of promise, and the seed which should inherit it now began to multiply. Though he had nothing of his own, he has a good father to go to, who will welcome him and his; or, if not, he can trust God. Now, (1.) God will not give mouths, without sending meat for them. (2.) Every true Christian, however comfortably settled or increased in this world, hath his eye and his heart upon his own country, which is above.

27. And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for ‘I have learned by experience, that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. 28. And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. 29. And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30. For it: little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? 31. And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing; if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock: 32. I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and if such shall be my hire. 33. So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face; every one that is not speckled and spotted amongst the goats, and brown amongst the sheep, that shall be accounted stolen with me. 34. And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. 35. And he removed that day the he-goats that were ring-braked and spotted, and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had done white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hands of his sons. 36. And he set three days journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Genesis 30:37-43

Laban had now experience of his interest in Jacob’s Bay, and God’s blessing upon him; and therefore, though he could part with his daughters and children, he is loth to lose so good a shepherd as Jacob, by whose care he had prospered so greatly. He interests him therefore to Bay. Now, Worldly men can give good words to serve their own ends. To engage him, as his family was large, and his possessions small, and Jacob appeared not unwilling to yield, if he had a prospect of providing for his family, he confents to a proposal of Jacob’s, to give him the speckled and ring-braked sheep for his hire. Thus the matter would be put into God’s hands, and Laban have no pretext to dispute the property of Jacob. But to prevent any great advantage accruing to Jacob, he carefully separates these mottled sheep from the rest, and sets them three days journey afunder. Learn, (1.) How wise and cunning worldly men are for their own interests. (2.) How vain their caution, when God designs to frustrate their purposes.

37. ¶ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel, and chesnut-tree; and pulled white flrakes in

Jacob’s policy to secure his wages was nothing blameable. He had to deal with an artful matter, and therefore is obliged to counteract his unjust designs. As in conception the imagination is thought powerfully to operate, he thus by the striped poplar got a speckled breed, and by fetting them before the rest, secured his own in the continuance of their colour in breeding; which Laban’s looking on them, brought forth lambs like them. And as he fetched the stronger cattle, his flock became at once vigorous and numerous; and thus he got good wages by his work. Now, (1.) They often outwit themselves, who intend to impose upon others. (2.) The divine blessing can quickly make a little much.