Genesis 37

Genesis 37:1-4

Joseph’s history begins, and in his humiliation and exaltation, we have an eminent type of Christ and every true christian, who bears the only before he wears the crown. In this chapter we have, 1. The mules of his brethren. (1.) Bequef is informed his father of their wickelmy, ver. 1, 2. (2.) Bequef his father loved him, ver. 3, 4. (3.) Bequef he dreamed of his dominion over them, ver. 5—11. 2. The mules they did him. (1.) His land wife gave them an opportunity, ver. 12—17. (2.) They first designed to say him, then determined to throw him, ver. 18—24. (3.) They changed their purpose, and told him for a flavor, ver. 25—28. (4.) They made their father believe that he was torn in pieces, ver. 29—35. (5.) He was told into Egypt to Pat-phan, ver. 36. And all this was working together for good.

1. AND Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2. Thefe are the generations of Jacob: Joseph being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a coat of many colours. 4. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Nothing of the pathetic ever equalled the history of Joseph, which makes the principal part of the following book. The variety of the events, and the different difficulties, with the happy conclusion of the whole, contain one of the most affecting and pleasing relations, which ever was penned. (1.) His father’s love began presently to appear towards him, as the peculiarity of his circumstances and conduct seemed to deserve. He was the son of his old age, the son of beloved Rachel, a dutiful son, industrious and diligent; and better, a pious son, who joined me in his brethren’s evil, but for their good informed his father, that they might receive that admonition which from a younger brother would have been despised. This procured him distinction from Jacob, and his variegated coat bespoke at once the affection of the father, the desert of the son, and awakened the envy of his brethren. Nate, Though one child may justly defave more than another, it is dangerous for a parent to appear partial.

2. His brethren’s anger appeared also. The coat of many colours was a sad eye-fore, and his information of their wickelmy still more provoking. Nate, (1.) Fine chords are, as there is any thing, apt to excite envy. Children of one house should be dressed

Heb. Of his father’s Supercising. Chap. 1—11. 2. Hebr. 11. 9. Or pieces. See Judg. v. 30. 1—10. See 18. Chap. 42a. 23.

Bedeach: on an equality. (2.) Those who are desirous to have sin re-proved, must often expect for their kindness to get ill will.