Genesis 37
SIBVer. 29, 34. Rending the upper garments was an emblem of rending the heart; Joel ii. 13. and was used at funerals
Genesis 37:2
Sam. iii. 31. or upon the news or sight of any great calamity; Job i. 20. and ii. 12. 2 Sam. i
Genesis 37:11
Josh. vii. 6. or in token of sorrow for sin; Joel ii. 13; Ezra ix. 3, 5. or of detestation of it; 2 Kings xviii. 37. and xix. 1. Matth. xxvi. 65. Jer. xxxvi
Genesis 37:31
Wearing sackcloth was another common badge of grief among Jews and heathens; 2 Sam. iii. 31. 1 Kings xx. 31. and xxi. 27. 1 Chron. xx. 16. Neh. ix. 1. Is. xxxvii. 1, 2. Rev. xi. 3
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXVII.—How dangerous it is for parents to mark their partial regard to children in finery of apparel, or in any other manner; for the Lord chiefly tries his people in the most tender points; and our trials are frequently rendered doubly heavy in respect of the instruments which Providence uses to accomplish them. How devilish must be the nature of envy, that can make excellency, nay, the favour of God, a reason of the most bitter hatred and bloody cruelty, and can repay the most affectionate love with deliberate murder! But evil-doers commonly hate such as labour to reform them. How often young men’s dreams of prosperity make them overlook the trouble that is in the way to it! And no less frequently is the fond indulgence of parents repaid with grief, or with the most unnatural cruelty. But, notwithstanding every seeming hindrance, the Lord’s gracious designs, and promises to his people, shall be exactly accomplished: while they, who mock at his intimations of his purpose, will but expose themselves to shame. God’s providences indeed often appear darkest when the deliverance is at hand. He makes the common events of providence to become critical for the purposes of his glory; and so overrules wicked men as to make one sin a restraint from a greater, and bitter disappointments to issue in mercy. To what an amazing pitch of insensibility do crying sins stupify the conscience! Schlom is a crime committed but a lie is framed to conceal it—so natural to men is a lying spirit! Immoderate love is often followed with obstinate and immoderate sorrow; and yet many of our bitterest griefs are founded upon mistaken imaginations. But shall I not here also turn aside, and behold Jesus the Lamb of God! Was not he the darling of his Father? Did not his father invest him with the robes of manhood, and of mediatory office? Did not his brethren of Judah hate him for his faithful reproofs, for his prediction of his own future greatness, and on account of the distinguished regard shewn to him by his Father? How astonishing his kindness, in coming into the world to seek and save that which was lost! And yet, when he came, how ungratefully was he driven into Egypt! how basely betrayed! sold for the price of a slave! and delivered into the hand of sinners to be crucified!