August 15

Genesis xliii. — 26. And, when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

27. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

28. And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health; he is yet alive: and they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

29. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

30. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

31. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

32. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians which did eat with him by themselves; because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33. And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marvelled one at another.

34. And he took and sent messes unto them from before him; but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were mercy with him.

Genesis xliv. — 1. And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth;

2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn-money: and he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.

4. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up; follow after the men: and, when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

5. Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? Ye have done evil in so doing.

6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

7. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing.

8. Behold, the money which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how, then, should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

11. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

It was long before Jacob could bring himself to suffer Benjamin to go with his brethren to Egypt: but, after Joseph's positive injunction, they could not venture to go again for corn without their younger brother; and the pressure of famine at length compelled their father to give his consent. They went laden with gifts of money, balm, and spices, and were well received by Joseph's steward. At sight of Benjamin, Joseph

almost betrayed himself; but it was necessary to delay the recognition in order to satisfy his brethren of his identity, and also of his good-will.

The contempt of the Egyptians for other nations, together with their religious scruples, forbade them to eat with foreigners; and Joseph was still acting out his character as an Egyptian prince.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 109, 115.

Almighty and most merciful Father, we beseech thee to forgive our sins, and incline us ever to keep thy commandments. Every good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of lights; and though we are so changeful in our love, so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us to thyself, O our Father! by the mighty attraction of thy love. We pray thee keep us this day from temptation, evil, and sin. May we be upright in our dealings, true and kind in our

speech, gentle and patient in our spirit, pure and holy in our walk, and so exhibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we shall win others to the love of Christ! And we pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour; that thy Church may increase; that missions may prosper; that thy Word may be given to all people. We thank thee for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all things that we need as a family. Bless the absent who are dear to us; and bring them, together with us, unto thy heavenly kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen.