Genesis 43

Prayer is the tool we work with, which procures all good for us, but unbelief spoils and blunts our prayers, and then we can get no blessing from God: a prayer that is faithless is fruitless. As Joseph said, You shall not see my face unless you bring your brother Benjamin with y…

But although he intercedes not as a common person representing us in what we were to have done for ourselves, yet the other relation of a surety is continued still in that work: he stands engaged therein as an undertaker for us and so as a surety intercedes. Such as Judah was fo…

II. Ioseph and his brethren, did drinke and were drunke together, Gen. 43. v. last. Ans.

The Magi select those three for the produce of which Eastern countries are celebrated; just as Jacob sent into Egypt the choicest and most esteemed productions of the soil. "Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and…

They also divide it into lesser sections; and those of two sorts; open and close, which have their distinct marks in their Bibles, and many superstitious observations they have about the beginning and ending of them. Of the first sort there are in Genesis 43, of the latter 48. I…

There was a man, that is, an excellent man, a man of worth; there was a man, that is, a man in authority. It signifies a magistrate, and so in various places of Scripture, man is put for a magistrate, especially when it is expressed as here, by Ish (Genesis 43:11). Carry a prese…

Whilst men put this inquiry off from themselves, and think or say, it may be the Concernment of others, it is not mine, they perish, and that without remedy. Remember what poor Jacob said, when he had lost one Child, and was afraid of the loss of another, Genesis 43:14. If I be…

He gives two directions, holding forth what was more proper, and fit for her case, 1. Let me see your countenance (says he) like one that is ashamed, you hide yourself, as if you dare not appear before me, but come (says he) let me see your countenance. This expression imports f…

Reading it then thus, his bowels are as bright ivory, etc. the words at the very first, would seem to signify the intense love and tender affection, wherewith our Lord Jesus (who is full of grace) is filled and stuffed (to say so) for the benefit and good of his people, so that…

In sum, The sense is this, O! if you were to me so condescending, as a brother is to one born of that same womb with him, that I might with the more freedom, boldness and confidence, and sensible out-letting of my affections, converse with you. Such sensible breaking forth of af…

Hence our prayers that God would incline our hearts to his testimonies (Psalm 119:36), not incline the heart to any evil thing (Psalm 141:4), unite the heart to fear his name (Psalm 86:11). So Jacob prays the Lord would give his sons favor in the eyes of the Governor of Egypt a…

5. His actings are in matter of lots that seem to be ruled by fortune and chance (Proverbs 16:33; Genesis 49; Deuteronomy 33, compared with Joshua 14:1, 2, 3). 6. Especially in bowing the free will, and determining all the actions of evil angels (1 Kings 22:21, 22, 23; Job 1:6,…

5. He will, when they come to keep servants, provide such servants for them, as they were to their masters. In Egypt God blessed Joseph with a faithful servant (Genesis 43:23). David, who ventured his life to save his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:34), had many servants that ventu…

So Judah became a Surety to his Father Jacob for his Brother Benjamin, whom he took with him into Egypt. Genesis 43:9. I will be Surety for him; of mine Hands shalt thou require him.

Do but compare Mark 16:16: He that believes, and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be damned. Do but compare, I say, that Scripture phrase with the words of Jacob's sons, which all allow to be conditional (Genesis 43:4-5): If you will send our brother wi…

Account me, says he, the person that has done these things; and I will make satisfaction, so that nothing be charged on Onesimus. So Judah voluntarily undertook unto Jacob, for the safety of Benjamin, and obliged himself unto perpetual Guilt in case of failure; Genesis 43:9. I w…

And he that was, or did a Surety, or become a Surety, was to answer for him, for whom he was so, whatsoever befell him. So is it described, Genesis 43:9. in the words of Judah unto his father Jacob, concerning Benjamin. I will be Surety for him; of my hand shalt you require him.

Be it to you as you will — Christ cannot long dissemble (to speak so) and keep up his love; he tried this woman hard; now he praises her to her face: Great is your faith, and grants her desire to the full. If there was such a brotherly and natural compassion in Joseph (Genesis 4…

For in those countries, men for want of water, were at death's door: as we may see in the example of Sisera (Judges 4:19), and Samson, chap. 15:18. The seventh allegation: Genesis 43:8 — Judah, Joseph's brother, calls his brother Benjamin a lad, or a boy, "Send the boy with me,"…

For this is that liberty, which God has granted to all believers. Thus we read, that Joseph and his brethren with him, did eat and drink together of the best, that is, liberally (Genesis 43:34). And to this purpose David says, that God gives wine, to make glad the heart of man,…

This our Saviour Christ means in the parable, wherein he wills those who are invited to a banquet, to yield the chiefest place to them, that are more honourable than themselves (Luke 14:7). And it is set down as a commendation of Joseph's brethren, that they sat before him in or…

David also having laid this ground, That the Lord brings the counsel of the heathen to nothing, and makes the devices of the people to be of none effect, but his own counsel abides forever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations (Psalm 33:10, 11), proceeds accordingly…