od's promises to Jacob. (1-4) Jacob and his family go to
Egypt. (5-27) Joseph meets his father and his brethren. (28-34)
Verses 1-4: Even as to those events and undertakings which appear most
joyful, we should seek counsel, assistance, and a blessing from
the Lord. Attending on his ordinances, and receiving the pledges
of his covenant love, we expect his presence, and that peace
which it confers. In all removals we should be reminded of our
removal out of this world. Nothing can encourage us to fear no
evil when passing through the valley of the shadow of death, but
the presence of Christ.
Verses 5-27: We have here a particular account of Jacob's family.
Though the fulfilling of promises is always sure, yet it is
often slow. It was now 215 years since God had promised Abraham
to make of him a great nation, ch. (12:2); yet that branch of
his seed, to which the promise was made sure, had only increased
to seventy, of whom this particular account is kept, to show the
power of God in making these seventy become a vast multitude.
Verses 28-34: It was justice to Pharaoh to let him know that such a
family was come to settle in his dominions. If others put
confidence in us, we must not be so base as to abuse it by
imposing upon them. But how shall Joseph dispose of his
brethren? Time was, when they were contriving to be rid of him;
now he is contriving to settle them to their advantage; this is
rendering good for evil. He would have them live by themselves,
in the land of Goshen, which lay nearest to Canaan. Shepherds
were an abomination to the Egyptians. Yet Joseph would have them
not ashamed to own this as their occupation before Pharaoh. He
might have procured places for them at court or in the army. But
such preferments would have exposed them to the envy of the
Egyptians, and might have tempted them to forget Canaan and the
promise made unto their fathers. An honest calling is no
disgrace, nor ought we to account it so, but rather reckon it a
shame to be idle, or to have nothing to do. It is generally best
for people to abide in the callings they have been bred to and
used to. Whatever employment and condition God in his providence
has allotted for us, let us suit ourselves to it, satisfy
ourselves with it, and not mind high things. It is better to be
the credit of a mean post, than the shame of a high one. If we
wish to destroy our souls, or the souls of our children, then
let us seek for ourselves, and for them, great things; but if
not, it becomes us, having food and raiment, therewith to be
content.
od's promises to Jacob. (1-4) Jacob and his family go to
Egypt. (5-27) Joseph meets his father and his brethren. (28-34)