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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 44:32
A surety. "For thy servant became surety for the lad unto his father." The brethren of Joseph had been surprised on their second visit to Egypt at the cordiality of their reception. They started homewards with well-lade…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph let Judah go on, and heard all he had to say. He found his brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself, for Judah had mentioned him twice in his speech, respectful to their father, and very tender of thei…
Joseph Discovers Himself to His Brethren. (b. c. 1707.)
JOSEPH DISCOVERS HIMSELF TO HIS BRETHREN. (B. C. 1707.) Judah and his brethren were waiting for an answer, and could not but be amazed to discover, instead of the gravity of a judge, the natural affection of a father or…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:1-15
Darkness turned into light. Joseph's revelation of himself to his brethren in the atmosphere of the purest brotherly affection and grateful acknowledgment of Divine goodness. Only small natures are ashamed of tears. At…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren. I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT. "I am Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt." 1. How it was made. 2. How it was received. II. THE COMMISSION. 1. To carry an invitation. "Haste ye, and go up…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:1-15
EXPOSITION Genesis 45:1, Genesis 45:2 Then (literally, and) Joseph could not refrain himself (i.e. keep himself from giving way to the impulses of love) before all them that stood by him (i.e. the Egyptian officials of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:3
The great announcement. Not a stranger, but a brother. Yet they were slow to receive comfort from it. The fact beyond all expectation; the suspicion of the unknown ruler attaching itself to the newly-found brother; the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:3
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph. The effect of this announcement can be better imagined than described. Hitherto he had been known to his brethren as Zaphnath-paaneah. Now the voice and the appearance of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:4-13
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. It is probable they had instinctively shrunk from his presence on learning the astounding fact that he was Joseph, but felt reassured by the kindly tone of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:5
Providence. "Now therefore be not grieved," &c. I. THE END IS GOODNESS AND MERCY. 1. To preserve life. 2. To set the seed of the better society in the midst of the corruptions and imperfections of the old. 3. To prepare…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 45:16-24
Pharaoh was kind to Joseph, and to his relations for his sake. Egypt would make up the losses of their removal. Thus those for whom Christ intends his heavenly glory, ought not to regard the things of this world. The be…
Pharaoh's Kindness to Joseph. (b. c. 1707.)
PHARAOH'S KINDNESS TO JOSEPH. (B. C. 1707.) Here is, 1. The kindness of Pharaoh to Joseph, and to his relations for his sake: he bade his brethren welcome (Genesis 45:16), though it was a time of scarcity, and they were…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:16-28
The grace of God to his people. We are now dealing no longer with Joseph's personal history, but brought out into the larger sphere of "the children of Israel" (Genesis 45:21). Already it may be said the Egyptian period…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:16-28
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:16
And the fame thereof—literally, the voice, hence rumor (cf. Jeremiah 3:9)—was heard in Pharaoh's house (having been brought thither doubtless by some of the Court officials), saying, Joseph's brethren—it is probable tha…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:16-28
Joseph's invitation to Jacob. I. AUTHORIZED BY PHARAOH. Though possessed of the liberty to issue such a commission as he had just entrusted to his brethren, Joseph felt that it would be right and proper to have his sove…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:21
And the children (better, sons) of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment (literally, the mouth) of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:22
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment;—literally, alterations of garments, i.e. changes or suits of dress ( 14:12, 14:13; 2 Kings 5:5); probably dress clothes for special occasions (Keil, Lange, Murphy); δι…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:23
And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses (vide Genesis 12:16) laden with (literally, carrying) the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with (or carrying) corn and bread and meat—probably prepared…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:24
So (literally, and) he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. The verb רָגַן signifies to be moved or disturbed with any violent emotion, but in particular…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 45:25-28
To hear that Joseph is alive, is too good news to be true; Jacob faints, for he believes it not. We faint, because we do not believe. At length, Jacob is convinced of the truth. Jacob was old, and did not expect to live…
The History of Joseph. (b. c. 1707.)
THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH. (B. C. 1707.) We have here the good news brought to Jacob. 1. The relation of it, at first, sunk his spirits. When, without any preamble, his sons came in, crying, Joseph is yet alive, each strivi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:25-28
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he (literally, and that he; an emphatic assurance which Keil, following Ewald, rend…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 45:25-28
The believer led to his reward. Jacob's incredulity conquered. His spirit revived. His resolution taken. I. OUR ENJOYMENT OF WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR CONFIDENT BELIEF AND EXPECTATION. 1. Separa…