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 sovereign's sanction. Accordingly, on mentioning the matter to the king, the required consent was—
1. Immediately obtained. "Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; and take your father and your households, and come unto me." It was also—
2. Sincerely given, as was attested by the royal order to take Egyptian curricles in order to convey the immigrants. "Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come." And, still further, it was—
3. Warmly urged, by a handsome promise—"I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land"—and an earnest exhortation—"Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land Of Egypt is yours."
II. ATTESTED BY JOSEPH. Had the sincerity of Joseph stood in need of any demonstration, it would at once have been supplied by—
1. The splendid carriages he sent from Egypt to convey his father. That they had such an influence upon the heart of Jacob is apparent from the narrative. At first the old man could not bring himself to credit the report which his sons brought; but when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
2. The valuable presents he bestowed upon his brethren and sent to his father: to each of the ten "changes of raiment;" to Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five "changes of raiment;" to his father ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. Gifts such as these were an index to the love which dwelt in Joseph's heart.
3. The good counsel he addressed to his brethren: "See that ye fall not out by the way." It was not likely if they disagreed among themselves that they would execute successfully the great commission Joseph had entrusted to them. It was a token of his anxiety for their accomplishing his mission that they should unitedly and lovingly address themselves to its performance.
III. REPORTED BY THE BRETHREN. On arriving at Hebron in the land of Canaan the sons of Jacob hastened to unburden themselves of their marvelous intelligence. The invitation of Joseph was detailed—
1. Faithfully. On the last occasion on which they had returned to Hebron with tidings concerning Joseph they had lied, and their father believed them; this time, although the old man believed not, what they said was true: "Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt," adding that he wished his venerable parent to go down to Egypt beside him.
2. Fully. "They told him all the words of Joseph which he had said unto them," not forgetting to deliver him the presents, and point him to the wagons or royal carriages which his son had sent for his conveyance thither.
IV. ACCEPTED BY JACOB. The strange tale to which the old man listened seemed on its first hearing to be incredible. Such a shock did it give to his feeble sensibilities that his heart almost stopped its beating. Apprehending that they were only mocking his already aged and bereaved spirit, he believed them not. But at length the splendid carriages carried conviction to his mind, and he believed—
1. With holy satisfaction. "It is enough." Since this was true, he had no desires unsatisfied below.
2. With paternal love. "Joseph my son" (what tenderness in the words!) "is yet alive."
3. With simple confidence. "I will go down and see him before I die."
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD