August 3

Genesis xlii. — 1. Now, when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

2. And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

3. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

4. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

5. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came; for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

6. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land; and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

7. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them: and he said unto them, Whence come ye? and they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

8. And Joseph knew his brethren; but they knew not him.

9. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies: to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Joseph might be pardoned a little pride at seeing his dream of supremacy over his brethren thus strangely fulfilled: yet, in this first interview, he exhibits great self-control; and his assertion of his power is simply a device to secure the bringing of his father. He avails himself of the custom of hostages; and, by accusing his visitors of a hostile purpose, he gains a point for the possession of Benjamin. Though he used the device of speaking in the Egyptian tongue, it is a wonder that the suspicions of his brethren were not aroused by his saying, "I fear God." Evidently they regarded Joseph as dead.

But why had he left his father so long in ignorance of his welfare? At the first, while a servant and a prisoner, he may

10. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

11. We are all one man's sons; we are true men; thy servants are no spies.

12. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

13. And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

14. And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies.

15. Hereby ye shall be proved: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

16. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely ye are spies.

17. And he put them all together into ward three days.

18. And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

19. If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

20. But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

have had no means of communication; for there was no general postal service in those days: afterwards, his own advancement may have depended upon his keeping his origin in the background. In the multitude of his cares and responsibilities, he could give little thought to his early home. Moreover, he still had reason to distrust his brethren: they would envy his promotion, and might seek to do him further mischief. He was only too glad to escape from a home which had no attractions for him, except the presence of his venerable father, whom he could in no way benefit. Above all, he had learned to wait for the unfolding of that mystery of Providence which was now coming into the perfect light.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 59, 84, 88, 130.

We thank thee, O God! for the blessings of the past night. Thou hast watched over us when we could not watch ourselves, and hast brought us in safety to the beginning of this day.

We thank thee for the measure of health which we enjoy, for our family comforts, and for our many spiritual mercies. We bless thee, most of all, for the gift of a Saviour. Oh that he may be precious to our souls! May we know him, and love him, and serve him! Enable each one of us now before thee to be his true and faithful follower.

O Lord! as we enter upon the employments of another day, be with us in our going-out and coming-in. Give thine angels charge concerning

us. Keep us not only from outward transgressions, but also from inward and secret sins. May we be watchful over our hearts, and keep the door of our lips! Give us grace to correct our evil tempers. May we be kind and gentle one towards another; tender-hearted; forgiving one another, even as thou, for Christ's sake, hast forgiven us!

Oh that each day may find us holier and more heavenly-minded, growing in grace, more conformed to the image of Christ, and more meet for heaven! And grant, that, when our days on earth are ended, we may be received into thy presence, to dwell with thee forever, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.