Genesis 41

Genesis 41:5-11

5. ¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed. 7. For ‘behold we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obedience to my sheaf. 8. And his brethren said unto him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? and they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words. 9. ¶ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more, and, behold, ’the sun and the moon, and the eleven stars made obedience to me. 10. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee, to the earth? 11. And ‘his brethren envied him: but ‘his father observed the saying.

Joseph begins to enjoy divine communications.

1. We have two prophecies, signifying that advancement for which God designed him. His brethren and his father must become his supplicants: those in simplicity he relates, little suspecting the consequence. Now, Many young people setting out in life, dream of nothing but prosperity, and overlook the trouble in the way to it.

2. His brethren are highly exasperated, and give his dreams an interpretation, true in its efface, but contemptuous in their account. Now, They who now despise the government of Jesus, must one day bow to it as obedient servants, or as condemned criminals.

3. His father is not pleased. Perhaps he might blame himself, for having put high thoughts in the young man’s head. Now, It is right for those parents, who are most fond, never to spare the needful rebuke, especially when their partiality may have given occasion to pride. But he observes the saying, being no stranger to the divine notices, frequently conveyed in visions of the night.

Heb. See the point of the brethren.

Genesis 41:12-22

22. ¶ And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. 13. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said unto him, Here am I. 14. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks, and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15. ¶ And a certain man found him, and behold he oust wandering in the field; and the man asked him, saying, What keekest thou? 16. And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks. 17. And the man said, They are departed hence: for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in ‘Dothan. 18. And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him, to stay him. 19. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. 20. Come now therefore and let us stay him, and cast him into some pit: and we will say, Some evil beath hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21. And ‘Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

Malice only waits for opportunity, and now it is come.

1. Jacob sends Joseph to enquire after his brethren, and he, like a dutiful son, and an affectionate brother, cheerfully hates to seek them; and when he was disappointed at Shechem, where he expected to find them, he enquires them out diligently, and follows them to Dothan. Now, (1.) Joseph’s dutiful obedience must be every son’s example. (2.) It were happy if his love to those who hated him, were also more imitated by every Christian.

2. His brethren’s conspiracy against him. His coat easily distinguished him at a distance; so dangerous often are our

honours, and roused the latent sparks into a flame. They resolve instantly on his death, whilst a lie should conceal the murder, and then there would be an end of his dreams. Now, (1.) All anger is murder in the heart. (2.) Those who mock at God’s designs, and think to disappoint them, will only expose themselves to shame at last. (3.) We see how natural a lying spirit is to men. We have hardly yet had a wicked action, but these hath been a lie to conceal it.

3. God raises him a friend in Reuben. He appears the most susceptible of tender paffions, and averts to blood. To rescue Joseph, had been impracticable; he therefore proposes to divert the rage he saw, by calling him into a pit, where they must conclude he would die, but from whence he resolved afterwards to recover him. Now, By yielding something to raging paffions, we may better prevail, than by direct opposition.

4. ¶ And it came to pass when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him. 24. And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25. And they let down to eat bread: and they lift up their eyes, and looked, and behold a company of ‘Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery, and ‘Islam, and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.’ 26. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we stay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27. Come, and let us kill him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, and our flesh: and his brethren were content. 28. Then there passed by ‘Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lift up Joseph out of the pit, and ‘said Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pints of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. 29. ¶ And Reuben returned unto the pit; and behold, Joseph was not in the pit: and he rent his clothes. 30. And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not: and I, whether shall I go?

Genesis 41:21-28

5. & alon. 13.

Inquired into. At three days and they are released, on condition of bringing down their younger brother, as a proof of their simplicity; and he gives the reason of this clemency, because he feared God. Note, (1.) Where a man fears God, he cannot be unmerciled or unkind. (2.) Harsh providences are often attended with blessed effects. Obtificate diseases call for strong physical.

1 Chap. xxviii. 21. Heb. An interpreter was known them. 8 Chap. xliii. 21. Heb. Whor forth.

21. ¶ And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he belonged us; and we would not hear: therefore is this distress come upon us. 22. And Reuben answered them, saying, ‘Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child: and ye would not bear? therefore behold also, his blood is required. 23. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for ye he spake unto them by an interpreter. 24. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. 25. ¶ Then Joseph commanded to fill their facks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his fack, and to give them provision for the way; and thus did he unto them. 26. And they hailed their affes with the corn, and departed thence. 27. And as one of them opened his fack to give his afs proven-der in the inn, he elijed his money: for behold it was in his fack’s mouth. 28. And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and lo, it is even in my fack; and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

We have here,

1. The reflections they make on their past conduct. For twenty years they seem to have forgotten it, or failed the remembrance; but now conscience does her office, and in their distress they acknowledge the justice of God’s hand in thus overtaking them. If they were so unrelenting to a brother, what may they not apprehend from a heathen stranger? Reuben reminds them of his intreaty for the child; a fresh reproach to their cruelty, though a comfort to his own conscience. Note, (1.) it is a needful stroke, that awakens the conscience to a remembrance of sin. (2.) When we share with others in certainty, it is a great support to be clear of their guilt. Little did they imagine how nearly he was interested, before whom they spoke: little were they apprehensive, that the Egyptian governor, who spoke by an interpreter, understood their language; whilst he, unable to refrain, yet willing to conceal the falling tree, turns aside, to discharge the tender mornings of an affectionate heart. Are such the tender mercies of a man? What then are the compassions of our God towards repenting sinners?

2. Simeon is bound for a hostage till their return, and they disinclined with their lading. But how great their abandonment, when one, on opening his fack, finds the purchase-money returned? Guilt immediately awakens their fears, and they tremble with the apprehensions that God is now about to visit them for their sins. They who fold their own brother unjustly for twenty pieces of silver, may well fear, lest judgment overtake them as thieves. Note, A guilty conscience is subject to perpetual alarms.

Heb. Wish or had things.

29. ¶ And they came unto Jacob their father, unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that belief unto them, saying, 30. The man who is the lord of the land, spake; roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. 31. And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies. 32. We be twelve brethren, sons of our father: one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. 33. And the man the lord of the country said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your houstholds, and be gone. 34. And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that you are no spies, but that you are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land. 35. ¶ And it came to pass as they emptied their facks, that behold every man’s bundle of money was in his fack: and when dark they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. 36. And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved if my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. 37. And Reu-

their spake unto his father, saying, Say my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. 38. And he said, My son shall not go down with you: for his brother is dead, and he is left alone; if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 41:23-30

Now the envied coat is torn from his back; remorse of pity find no place in these inventive hearts: in vain his prayers, his tears, his anguish; they drag him to the pit, and cast him in, intending a death of famine more dreadful than the sword; then, hardened and relentless, sit down in comfort to eat bread; and whilst they satisfy their own hunger, never think on Joseph’s affliction. Now, (1.) God’s providence appear darkest, when deliverance is nearest. (2.) Crying sins often supply the conscience to the most amazing pitch of insensibility. But now, an unexpected event delivers Joseph from the pit: a caravan of merchants going to Egypt, passes by: Judah proposes to sell, rather than kill him; he would be as effectually, they thought, sent out of the way, and thus they greatly their covetousness, as well as their revenge. The bargain is made, and Joseph from the captivity of the pit, is sent as a slave into Egypt. Learn, (1.) How exactly God makes common events of providence become critical, for purposes of his glory. (2.) God over-risks wicked men, and makes one sin a bristle to a greater: covetousness save from bloodshed. Reuben was not at the counsel, perhaps now on a circuit, in order to come unobserved to the pit: but how great his grief to find Joseph gone! Now, The disappointment of our well-meant endeavours, are afterwards sent to be in mercy.

31. And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood. 32. And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no. 33. And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; ‘an evil beath hath devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. 34. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put a backcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. 35. And all his sons, and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For ‘I will go down into the grave unto my Son, mourning: thus his father wept for him. 36. And ’the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.

Genesis 41:29-38

The report of their journey was adjective news to Jacob. The circumstances compared, the imprisonment of Simeon, the demand of Benjamin, and, above all, the money returned, made him apprehend some ill design; not without suspicions of the bad conduct of his sons, which to his sorrow he had so often experienced. All things he concludes are now against him. He resolves not to part with Benjamin, however; nor can he at all farsified with Reuben’s foolish offer. His life is so bound up in the child, that mischief befalling him, (and what reason had he to fear in their company?) grief would quickly bring his grey hairs to the grave. Note, (1.) In proportion to our love to the creature, will he our fears of losing, and our distress in parting from it. Thus insubicate affection is its own punishment. (2.) We are often needlessly distressed, and afraid, when God is most working for us, that all things are against us. (3.) Wicked children bring the bitterest griefs upon their aged parents.

Genesis 41:31-36

They made a plausible story: there could be no suspicion of them: whilst the coat they sent, indulged their revenge, and aggravated Jacob’s sorrow. A thousand dire imaginations now with us, and rear his heart with greater violence, than the best the limbs of his supposed devoured Joseph. His sons, adepts in hypocrisy, pretend to comfort him; but inconsolable in his sorrow, his heart refuses confidation, and he wishes to go down

Genesis 41:46-52

20. & alon. 5. On Prison Rom. xli. 18. i. e. forgating. i. e. foult. 16. 1718. Phil. ex. 16. Heb. All Voren ver. Deut. in. 12.

21. ¶ And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt: and Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47. And in the seven pieneous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49. And Joseph gathered corn as the land of the sea, very much, until he left numbringing: for it was without number. 50. And * unto Joseph were born two sons, before the years of famine came: which Afonah the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On, bare unto him. 51. And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manaffeh: for God, said he, hath made me forger all my toil, and all my father’s house. 52. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Joseph’s diligence is as great as his wisdom. No sooner in office, than he executes the truth reposed in him. The more a statesman is distinguished, the more laborious should he be for the public good. God blesses him abundantly in his labour, and adds to the fruitfulness of the land, the fruitfulness of his house. Two sons are born; Manaffeh, so called, because all his former toil and all usage at home were forgotten; and Ephraim, because God had made him fruitful. Note. (1.) It is well to acknowledge God in every gift. (2.) Injuries cannot be too soon forgiven and forgotten.

53. ¶ And the seven years of pieneousness that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: And Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he said to you, do. 56. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the store-hours, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed fore in the land of Egypt. 57. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was before in all lands.

Genesis 41:53-57

Joseph’s provident care is now sensibly felt. The countries around, under the scourge of famine, as well as Egypt, come to buy corn, and are referred to Joseph, whose management, no doubt, in the sale, was as just and equitable, as his prudence in providing had been singular. Note. It is highly our duty in times of dearth to open our store-hours; and neither by a fictitious famine, nor an unreasonable price, to grind the faces of the poor.