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 to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, and tarry not."
2. To deliver a promise. "And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen," and "there will I nourish thee."
3. To explain a reason "For yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty."
4. To provide an authentications. "And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you."
5. To supply an encouragement. "And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt."
6. To return with an answer. "And ye shall haste and bring down my father hither."
III. THE RECONCILIATION.
1. With tears of joy. "He fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck." Over the rest of his brothers also as they bowed before him "he wept."
2. With kisses of love. "Moreover he kissed all his brethren"—not even forgetting Simeon, who probably had bound him.
3. With words of cheer. "After that his brethren talked with him."
Lessons:—See in the character of Joseph, as portrayed in this touching scene, a brilliant constellation of heavenly virtues and holy graces.
1. Of fraternal affection in his tender dealing with his brethren.
2. Of filial piety in his considerate regard for his father.
3. Of eminent devotion in recognizing the hand of God in all his past fortunes.
4. Of exquisite sensibility in being so quickly moved to tears.
HOMILIES BY J.F. MONTGOMERY