Chapter commentary
Genesis Chapter 43
서론
Untitled
简体中文
English original
Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on, and very particularly related. I. Their melancholy parting with their father Jacob in Canaan, Ge 43:1-14. II. Their pleasant meeting with Joseph in Egypt, Ge 43:15-34, etc. For on this occasion nothing occurs there but what is agreeable and pleasant.
1-10
Jacob Unwilling to Part with Benjamin (1707 BC)
简体中文
雅各不愿放便雅悯走（主前 1707 年）
¹ 那地的饥荒甚大。
² 他们从埃及带来的粮食吃尽了。他们的父亲对他们说：你们再去给我籴些粮来。
³ 犹大对他说：那人谆谆的告诫我们说：你们的兄弟若不与你们同来，你们就不得见我的面。
⁴ 你若打发我们的兄弟与我们同去，我们就下去给你籴粮。
⁵ 你若不打发他去，我们就不下去。因为那人对我们说：你们的兄弟若不与你们同来，你们就不得见我的面。
⁶ 以色列说：你们为什么这样害我，告诉那人你们还有兄弟呢？
⁷ 他们说：那人详细问到我们和我们的亲属，说：你们的父亲还在不在？你们还有兄弟没有？我们就按着他所问的告诉他。我们怎能知道他要说，把你们的兄弟带下来呢？
⁸ 犹大又对他父亲以色列说：你打发童子与我同去，我们就起身下去。好叫我们和你，并我们的妇人孩子，都得存活，不至于死。
⁹ 我为他作保。你可以向我追讨。我若不带他回来交在你面前，我情愿永远担罪。
¹⁰ 我们若没有耽搁，如今第二次都回来了。
此处：1. 雅各催促他儿子们再去埃及籴粮（创 43:1,2）。饥荒持续；他们所买的粮食都吃尽了，因为这是必坏的食物。雅各作为一个好家主，挂虑为属自己家的人预备 convenient 的食物；神岂不也为他的儿女——信家之人——预备吗？雅各叫他们再去买一点粮食；如今在匮乏之时，一点便够了，因为天性以一点为足。2. 犹大催促他同意便雅悯与他们同去——无论这如何违反他的感觉和先前的决定。当知：儿女谦逊而温和地劝戒父母、并在合适时与他们讲理，与儿女对父母所当尽的尊敬和本分毫不冲突。你们要与母亲争论，争论（何 2:2）。(1.) 他坚持他们带便雅悯同行的绝对必要——关于这一点，他是那一切在埃及所发生之事的见证人，比雅各更有资格判断。约瑟的严正声明（创 43:3）可以被 allude，以表明我们必须以何条件就近神：我们若不带着基督——在信心的膀臂中——同来，便不能以安慰见神的面。(2.) 他承诺尽一切可能看顾他，为他安全竭尽所能（创 43:8,9）。犹大的良心近来为他许久以前对约瑟所行的事自责（创 42:21）；作为他悔改之真的证据，他随时准备尽一个人所能，为便雅悯的安全 undertake。他不仅不亏负他，更要尽他所能保护他。这是尽可能的赔偿；他既不知如何能归还约瑟，便要借加倍关心便雅悯，来为他所行那无可挽回的伤害作些补偿。
English original
Jacob Unwilling to Part with Benjamin (1707 BC)
¹ And the famine was sore in the land.
² And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
³ And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
⁴ If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
⁵ But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
⁶ And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
⁷ And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
⁸ And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
⁹ I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
¹⁰ For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
Here, 1. Jacob urges his sons to go and buy more corn in Egypt, Ge 43:1,2. The famine continued; and the corn they had bought was all spent, for it is meat that perisheth. Jacob, as a good master of a family, is in care to provide for those of his own house food convenient; and shall not God provide for his children, for the household of faith? Jacob bids them go again and buy a little food; now, in time of scarcity, a little must suffice, for nature is content with a little. 2. Judah urges him to consent that Benjamin should go down with them, how much soever it went against his feelings and previous determination. Note, It is not at all inconsistent with the honour and duty which children owe their parents humbly and modestly to advise them, and, as occasion is, to reason with them. Plead with your mother, plead, ho 2:2. (1.) He insists upon the absolute necessity they were under of bringing Benjamin with them, of which he, who was a witness to all that had passed in Egypt, was a more competent judge than Jacob could be. Joseph's protestation (Ge 43:3) may be alluded to to show upon what terms we must draw nigh to God; unless we bring Christ along with us in the arms of our faith, we cannot see the face of God with comfort. (2.) He engages to take all possible care of him, and to do his utmost for his safety, Ge 43:8,9. Judah's conscience had lately smitten him for what he had done a great while ago against Joseph (Ge 42:21); and, as an evidence of the truth of his repentance, he is ready to undertake, as far as a man could do it, for Benjamin's security. He will not only not wrong him, but will do all he can to protect him. This is restitution, as far as the case will admit; when he knew not how he could restore Joseph, he would make some amends for the irreparable injury he had done him by doubling his care concerning Benjamin.
11-14
Joseph's Brethren Again Sent to Egypt (1707 BC)
简体中文
约瑟的哥哥们再次被差往埃及（主前1707年）
¹¹ 他们的父亲以色列说："若必须如此，你们就当这样行：可以将这地土产中最好的乳香、蜂蜜、香料、没药、榧子、杏仁，都带一点下去，送给那人作礼物。 ¹² 又要手里加倍地带银子，并将归还在你们口袋内的银子，仍带在手里；那或者是错了。 ¹³ 也带着你们的兄弟，起身再去见那人。 ¹⁴ 但愿全能的神使你们在那人面前蒙怜悯，释放你们的那兄弟和便雅悯回来。我若丧了儿子，就丧了吧！"
请观察这里：I. 雅各的从善如流。虽然劝他的是地位不及他的人，他却愿意受理性的引导。他看见这事的不容回避；既然别无他法，他便同意向这必要性让步（创43:11）：*若必须如此，你们就当这样行：可以将……你们的兄弟带去。*若不按这些条件就买不到粮，那么我们与其让自己和全家——便雅悯也在其中——因缺粮而死，倒不如让他在旅途中冒险。*人以皮换皮，人一切所有的，*甚至是最亲爱的便雅悯，*都愿为性命舍去。*没有比饥荒之死更为可怕的了，哀4:9。雅各曾说过（创42:38）：我的儿子不可下去；但如今他被劝服而同意了。注意：当我们有充分理由如此行时，改变自己的定意与决断并非过失，倒是我们的智慧和本分。恒守是美德，但固执却不是。不悔改、立下不可改变的决断，乃是神的特权。
II. 雅各的谨慎与公正，这表现在三件事上：——1. 他把他们在袋口所发现的银子送回去，并对这事作了这样的明智判断：*那或者是错了。*注意：诚实要求我们偿还，不仅偿还因自己的过失而得来的，也偿还因别人的错误而得来的。我们虽然因疏忽而得到，倘若疏忽既经发现我们仍不肯归还，那就是以欺骗来保留。在结算账目时，错误都当剔除，无论这些错误是有利于我们，还是有损于我们。雅各的话也为我们提供了一种善意的解释，可以用在我们容易视为侮辱和冒犯的事上：让它过去，说：那或者是错了。2. 他差他们带双倍的银子，比上次所带的多一倍，也许是想到粮价或许上涨——或者，若被索讨，便可用以赎回西缅，或付他的监费——或者，是要表明宽宏的心意，使他们更可能在那那人——就是那地之主——面前得着宽厚的对待。3. 他差他们带了一分本地所出产、而在埃及稀有的礼物——乳香、蜂蜜等等（创43:11），这都是迦南的输出品，创37:25。注意：(1.) 神的护理将它的恩赐分赐不一。有的国家出产这一种物产，有的国家出产那一种，好叫通商得以维持。(2.) 蜂蜜和香料永远不能填补粮食的缺乏。迦南饥荒甚重，但他们仍有乳香没药等物。我们可以靠粗淡的饮食过很好的生活，不需要珍馐；却不能靠珍馐度日，而无粗淡的粮食。我们当感谢神，那最需要、最有用的东西，通常也是最便宜、最常见的。(3.) 暗中送的礼物，挽回怒气，箴21:14。雅各的儿子们被诬为奸细，雅各却仍愿意破费一分礼物，以平息那控告者。有时即便我们按理可以要求平安、坚持其为我们的权利，也不可认为以代价换取平安是太过分的。
III. 雅各的敬虔，表现在他的祷告中：*但愿全能的神使你们在那人面前蒙怜悯！*创43:14。雅各从前曾藉着礼物和祷告，把一个发怒的兄弟变为和善的兄弟；在此他仍然投靠这经过试验的方法，结果也顺利。注意：那要在人面前寻找怜悯的人，必须向神去寻，因为神掌握着万人的心，并随己意转动人心。
IV. 雅各的忍耐。他以这话作为总结：*我若丧了儿子，就丧了吧！*我若必须这样接二连三地失去他们，我只有顺服，说：*愿主的旨意成就。*注意：以最重的患难自慰，并尽力学以致用，这是我们的智慧；因为与造我们的主较力，毫无益处，撒下15:25,26。
English original
Joseph's Brethren Again Sent to Egypt (1707 BC)
¹¹ And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
¹² And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
¹³ Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
¹⁴ And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Observe here, I. Jacob's persuasibleness. He would be ruled by reason, though they were his inferiors that urged it. He saw the necessity of the case; and, since there was no remedy, he consented to yield to the necessity (Ge 43:11): "If it must be so now, take your brother. If no corn can be had but upon those terms, we may as well expose him to the perils of the journey as suffer ourselves and families, and Benjamin amongst the rest, to perish for want of bread." Skin for skin, and all that a man has, even a Benjamin, the dearest of all, will he give for his life. No death so dreadful as that by famine, La 4:9. Jacob had said (Ge 42:38), My son shall not go down; but now he is over-persuaded to consent. Note, It is no fault, but our wisdom and duty, to alter our purposes and resolutions when there is a good reason for our so doing. Constancy is a virtue, but obstinacy is not. It is God's prerogative not to repent, and to make unchangeable resolves.
II. Jacob's prudence and justice, which appeared in three things:—1. He sent back the money which they had found in the sacks' mouths, with this discreet construction of it, Peradventure it was an oversight. Note, Honesty obliges us to make restitution, not only of that which comes to us by our own fault, but of that which comes to us by the mistakes of others. Though we get it by oversight, if we keep it when the oversight is discovered, it is kept by deceit. In the stating of accounts, errors must be excepted, even those that make for us as well as those that make against us. Jacob's words furnish us with a favourable construction to put upon that which we are tempted to resent as an injury and affront; pass it by, and say, Peradventure it was an oversight. 2. He sent double money, as much again as they took the time before, upon supposition that the price of corn might have risen,—or that if it should be insisted upon they might pay a ransom for Simeon, or his prison-fees,—or to show a generous spirit, that they might be the more likely to find generous treatment with the man, the lord of the land. 3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt—balm and honey, etc. (Ge 43:11), the commodities that Canaan exported, Ge 37:25. Note, (1.) Providence dispenses its gifts variously. Some countries produce one commodity, others another, that commerce may be preserved. (2.) Honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, and yet they had balm and myrrh, etc. We may live well enough upon plain food without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that that which is most needful and useful is generally most cheap and common. (3.) A gift in secret pacifies wrath, Pr 21:14. Jacob's sons were unjustly accused as spies, yet Jacob was willing to be at the expense of a present, to pacify the accuser. Sometimes we must not think it too much to buy peace even where we may justly demand it, and insist upon it as our right.
III. Jacob's piety appearing in his prayer: God Almighty give you mercy before the man! Ge 43:14. Jacob had formerly turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer; and here he betakes himself to the same tried method, and it sped well. Note, Those that would find mercy with men must seek it of God, who has all hearts in his hands, and turns them as he pleases.
IV. Jacob's patience. He concludes all with this: "If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved; If I must part with them thus one after another, I must acquiesce, and say, The will of the Lord be done." Note, It is our wisdom to reconcile ourselves to the sorest afflictions, and make the best of them; for there is nothing got by striving with our Maker, 2Sa 15:25,26.
15-34
Joseph Entertains His Brethren (1707 BC)
简体中文
约瑟款待众兄（主前1707年）
¹⁵ 于是那些人拿着那礼物，又手里加倍带银子，并带着便雅悯，起身下到埃及，站在约瑟面前。 ¹⁶ 约瑟见便雅悯和他们同来，就对家宰说：将这些人领到屋里，要宰杀牲畜，预备妥当，因为这些人正午要与我同席吃饭。 ¹⁷ 家宰就遵着约瑟所吩咐的去行，领他们进了约瑟的屋。 ¹⁸ 那些人因为被领进约瑟的屋里，就惧怕，说：必是因为上次银子归还在我们袋里，所以领我们进来，要找我们的把柄，加害于我们，强取我们和我们的驴为奴仆。 ¹⁹ 他们就挨近约瑟的家宰，在屋门口和他说话， ²⁰ 说：我主啊，我们上次实在下来买粮； ²¹ 后来到了住宿的地方，我们打开自己的口袋，不料，各人的银子仍在各人的袋口，分量足数；如今我们亲手带回来了。 ²² 另外我们又带下来银子在手里，要买粮。我们不知道上次谁把银子放在我们的袋里。 ²³ 家宰说：平安归于你们，不要惧怕；是你们的神和你们父亲的神，在你们袋里给了你们财宝。你们的银子我早已收下了。于是他把西缅领出来交给他们。 ²⁴ 家宰领他们进约瑟的屋里，给他们水洗脚，又给他们驴草料。 ²⁵ 他们备妥礼物，等约瑟正午来，因为他们听见要在那里吃饭。
雅各的儿子们既得了许可带便雅悯同去，便遵守父亲所吩咐的，第二次下到埃及去买粮。我们若有一天晓得何为缺乏神话语的饥荒，就不要以为跋涉寻求属灵的粮食是大事，正如他们为身体的食物所跋涉的一样。如今我们在此读到他们与约瑟家宰之间所发生的事；有人猜想家宰是知情在内、知道他们是约瑟的弟兄，并帮助成全这一番安排的；我却以为不然，因为后来约瑟与他们相认时，不许任何人在场（创45:1）。请注意：1. 约瑟的家宰奉主人之命（主人正忙于卖粮收银），将他们带到自己家中，为他们的款待作预备。约瑟虽然看见便雅悯在那里，却不愿在工作时间放下他的工作，也不肯把这事交托别人。注意，事务在其当令之时，当先于礼节。我们必要的职事，不可因向友人致敬而疏忽。2. 即便这事也使他们惊惧：他们因为被领进约瑟的屋里，就惧怕（创43:18）。他们良心的正当控诉，以及约瑟对他们严厉的猜疑，使他们不敢指望任何恩待，反倒以为这是对他们另有恶意。注意，凡心中有愧、胆怯的人，容易将凡事往最坏处想。如今他们想，袋口的银子之事必要被追讨，他们要被诬为骗子，是趁机利用市集的纷乱，把未付价银的粮带走的不配交往之人。于是他们把这事禀明家宰，使家宰既已知情，便可为他们挡在危险之前；并且作为他们诚实的实证，他们在尚未被指控退还银子之前，就主动把银子拿出来。注意，正直诚实必能保全我们，也必如晨光那样自显明净。3. 家宰安慰他们（创43:23）：平安归于你们，不要惧怕；他虽不知道主人的用意何在，却知道这些人是主人不欲加害的——只是如此戏弄他们而已；于是他指引他们看见银子归还之事中的神之护理：是你们的神和你们父亲的神在你们袋里给了你们财宝。当注意：(1.) 藉此他表明对他们绝无丝毫不诚实的疑心：因为我们用诡诈所得的，不能说"是神赐给我们的"。(2.) 藉此他止住了他们对此事的进一步追问。"不要问银子怎么到了那里；是护理把它带给你们的，这就够了。"(3.) 从他所说的话可见，因着良善主人的教导，他已认识了真神——希伯来人的神。人在敬虔之家中作仆人的，理当利用一切合宜的机会，以敬畏和郑重的态度谈论神和他的护理。(4.) 他指引他们仰望神，承认神的护理在这场好交易中的作为。我们必须承认自己受惠于神——他是"我们的神，我们列祖的神"（与我们和他们立约的神）——为着我们一切的成功、便利、以及朋友所施的恩慈；因为每一个受造之物对我们的意义，全在乎神使它如何，不能多也不能少。家宰不但以言语安慰他们，也以行动安慰他们；因为在主人来到之前，他多方厚待他们（创43:24）。
²⁶ 约瑟来到家里，他们就把手中的礼物带进屋里去，俯伏在地，向他下拜。 ²⁷ 约瑟问他们好，又说：你们的父亲，就是你们所说的那老人家平安吗？他还活着吗？ ²⁸ 他们回答说：你仆人我们的父亲平安，他还在。于是他们低头下拜。 ²⁹ 约瑟举目看见他母亲的儿子，自己的兄弟便雅悯，就说：你们向我所说的那顶小的兄弟就是这位吗？又说：我儿啊，愿神恩待你。 ³⁰ 约瑟爱弟之情发动，就急忙寻找可哭之处，进入自己的内室，在那里哭了一场。 ³¹ 他洗了脸出来，勉强隐忍，吩咐人摆饭。 ³² 他们就为约瑟单摆了一席，为他们单摆了一席，也为和约瑟同吃饭的埃及人另摆了一席；因为埃及人不可和希伯来人同吃饭；那原是埃及人所厌恶的。 ³³ 约瑟使众弟兄在他面前坐下，长子照长子的名分，幼子照幼子的年岁；众人彼此诧异。 ³⁴ 约瑟把他面前的食物分出来，送给他们；只是便雅悯所得的比别人多五倍。他们就饮酒，和他一同欢乐。
在此，I. 约瑟的众兄向他大大的致敬。他们把礼物带来时，"在他面前俯伏在地"（创43:26）；当他们向他禀告父亲的健康时，又再次"下拜"，并称他"你仆人我们的父亲"（创43:28）。如此约瑟的梦一次又一次地应验：连父亲也借着众子"在他面前下拜"，正如那梦所示（创37:10）。或许雅各曾吩咐他们，若有机会向"那地的主"提到他，便称他为"他的仆人"。
II. 约瑟向他们所显的大恩慈——而他们竟不知这是弟兄的恩慈。在此有：
1. 他对雅各的关切询问：他还活着吗？——这是一句对任何人都极合宜的问题，尤其对老年人；因为我们日日都在死亡之中：我们"还活着"，实在是奇事。雅各许多年前曾说："我必悲悲惨惨地下阴间到我儿子那里"；然而"他还活着"：我们不能想死的时候就死。
2. 他对便雅悯——他的亲兄弟——的特别眷顾。(1.) 他为他祝福祷告：我儿啊，愿神恩待你（创43:29）。约瑟虽是那地的主，他的恩宠若无神的恩待，对便雅悯也无多大益处。许多人寻求掌权者的恩宠，约瑟却指引他寻求那掌管掌权者之主的恩宠。(2.) 他为他流下眼泪（创43:30）。他对兄弟天然的亲情，看见他的喜乐，见他与其余众人陷于缺粮困苦之中的关切，以及自上次见他那以来自己所历忧患的回忆，在他心中引起极大的激动；这激动或许因他竭力压抑而更加不安；但他被迫退入内室，在那里借眼泪一抒情怀。注意，[1.] 柔情与亲情之泪，即使对伟大而睿智的人，也毫不减色。[2.] 敬虔流泪的人，不应张扬自己的眼泪。先知说："我的心必为这事暗暗哭泣"（耶13:17）。"彼得出去，痛哭。"参太26:75。
3. 他对众人的盛情款待。他的哭泣既止，能以自持，便与他们同席吃饭，以厚礼相待，却处处安排为要使他们惊奇。
(1.) 他吩咐摆设三席：一席为他的众兄，一席为与他同席的埃及人（因彼此风俗殊异，不愿同席），一席为他自己——他不敢承认自己是希伯来人，也不肯与埃及人同坐。在此可见一例：[1.] 关于款待宾客与治家之道，这是十分可嘉的，只要量力而行。[2.] 关于迁就人的性情，甚至是怪癖的性情——帕特里克主教称埃及人不与希伯来人同吃饭一事为怪癖。约瑟虽是那地的主，又下令万民都当顺从他，却不强逼埃及人与希伯来人违背己意同席，而任他们保留自己的习惯。真正宽宏的人，不愿强加于人。[3.] 关于犹太人与外邦人之间早有的隔阂：一席之桌容不下他们。
(2.) 他照众兄的长幼次序为他们排座（创43:33），仿佛他能准确地占卜。有人以为他们自己照习惯如此坐；但若是这样，我不明白圣经为何对此事特别留意，尤其是当作一件令他们诧异的事来记。
(3.) 他设极丰盛的筵席款待他们，从自己的席上分食物送给他们（创43:34）。这在粮食缺乏之时更显他的慷慨，也更能使他们感念。在荒年之日，能得饱足已是足矣，他们在此竟得享盛宴。或许他们已许久未曾吃过如此好的一顿饭了。经上说"他们饮酒，和他一同欢乐"；他们的忧虑恐惧如今都过去了，便欢欢喜喜地吃饭，断定如今他们与那地的主已经相安无事。若神悦纳我们的作为——我们的"礼物"——我们就有理由喜乐。然而当我们像他们在此一样与掌权者同席而坐时，当察看面前的，不可纵任食欲，也不可贪恋珍馐（箴23:1-3）。约瑟使他们明白便雅悯是他所特别钟爱的；因为他所得的分"比别人多五倍"——这并非要他比别人多吃那么多（因为那样他要吃得过多，对身体无益；劝人饮食过量，并非友情，反倒是伤害与不仁），而是借此表示他对他的特别尊重，为要试试众兄是否仍会因便雅悯所得的分较多而嫉妒，正如从前他们因他自己所穿的美衣较佳而嫉妒一样。在这样的情形中，我们的规则当是：以自己所有的为足，不要因别人所有的而心怀不平。
English original
Joseph Entertains His Brethren (1707 BC)
¹⁵ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
¹⁶ And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
¹⁷ And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
¹⁸ And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
¹⁹ And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
²⁰ And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
²¹ And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
²² And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
²³ And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
²⁴ And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
²⁵ And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Jacob's sons, having got leave to take Benjamin with them, were observant of the orders their father had given them, and went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food as they did for corporal food. Now here we have an account of what passed between them and Joseph's steward, who, some conjecture, was in the secret, and knew them to be Joseph's brethren, and helped to humour the thing; I rather think not, because no man was permitted to be present when Joseph afterwards made himself known to them, Ge 45:1. Observe, 1. Joseph's steward has orders from his master (who was busy selling corn, and receiving money) to take them to his house, and make ready for their entertainment. Though Joseph saw Benjamin there, he would not leave his work at working-time, nor trust another with it. Note, Business must take place of civility in its season. Our needful employments must not be neglected, no, not to pay respect to our friends. 2. Even this frightened them: They were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house, Ge 43:18. The just challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph's violent suspicions of them, forbade them to expect any favour, and suggested to them that this was done with a bad design upon them. Note, Those that are guilty and timorous are apt to make the worst of every thing. Now they thought they should be reckoned with about the money in the sacks' mouths, and should be charged as cheats, and men not fit to be dealt with, who had taken advantage of the hurry of the market to carry off their corn unpaid for. They therefore laid the case before the steward, that he, being apprized of it, might stand between them and danger; and, as a substantial proof of their honesty, before they were charged with taking back their money they produced it. Note, Integrity and uprightness will preserve us, and will clear themselves as the light of the morning. 3. The steward encouraged them (Ge 43:23): Peace be to you, fear not; though he knew not what his master drove at, yet he was aware these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused them; and therefore he directs them to look at the divine Providence in the return of their money: Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. Observe, (1.) Hereby he shows that he had no suspicion at all of dishonesty in them: for of what we get by deceit we cannot say, "God gives it to us." (2.) Hereby he silences their further enquiry about it. "Ask not how it came thither; Providence brought it to you, and let that satisfy you." (3.) It appears by what he said that, by his good master's instructions, he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be expected that those who are servants in religious families should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and seriousness. (4.) He directs them to look up to God, and acknowledge his providence in the good bargain they had. We must own ourselves indebted to God, as our God and the God of our fathers (a God in covenant with us and them) for all our successes and advantages, and the kindnesses of our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only in words but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master came, Ge 43:24.
²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
²⁷ And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
²⁸ And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
²⁹ And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
³⁰ And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
³¹ And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
³² And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
³³ And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
³⁴ And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Here is, I. The great respect that Joseph's brethren paid to him. When they brought him the present, they bowed themselves before him (Ge 43:26); and again, when they gave him an account of their father's health, they made obeisance, and called him, Thy servant our father, Ge 43:28. Thus were Joseph's dreams fulfilled more and more: and even the father, by the sons, bowed before him, according to the dream, Ge 37:10. Probably Jacob had directed them, if they had occasion to speak of him to the man, the lord of the land, to call him his servant.
II. The great kindness that Joseph showed to them, while they little thought it was a brotherly kindness. Here is,
1. His kind enquiry concerning Jacob: Is he yet alive?—a very fit question to be asked concerning any, especially concerning old people; for we are dying daily: it is strange that we are yet alive. Jacob had said many years before, I will go to the grave to my son; but he is yet alive: we must not die when we will.
2. The kind notice he took of Benjamin, his own brother. (1.) He put up a prayer for him: God be gracious unto thee, my son, Ge 43:29. Joseph's favour, though he was the lord of the land, would do him little good, unless God were gracious to him. Many seek the ruler's favour, but Joseph directs him to seek the favour of the ruler of rulers. (2.) He shed some tears for him, Ge 43:30. His natural affection to his brother, his joy to see him, his concern at seeing him and the rest of them in distress for bread, and the remembrance of his own griefs since he last saw him, produced a great agitation in him, which perhaps was the more uneasy because he endeavoured to stifle and suppress it; but he was forced to retire into his closet, there to give vent to his feeling by tears. Note, [1.] Tears of tenderness and affection are no disparagement at all, even to great and wise men. [2.] Gracious weepers should not proclaim their tears. My soul shall weep in secret, says the prophet, Jer 13:17. Peter went out and wept bitterly. See Mt 26:75.
3. His kind entertainment of them all. When his weeping had subsided so that he could refrain himself, he sat down to dinner with them, treated them nobly, and yet contrived every thing to amuse them.
(1.) He ordered three tables to be spread, one for his brethren, another for the Egyptians that dined with him (for so different were their customs that they did not care to eat together), another for himself, who durst not own himself a Hebrew, and yet would not sit with the Egyptians. See here an instance, [1.] Of hospitality and good house-keeping, which are very commendable, according as the ability is. [2.] Of compliance with people's humours, even whimsical ones, as bishop Patrick calls this of the Egyptians not eating with the Hebrews. Though Joseph was the lord of the land, and orders were given that all people should obey him, yet he would not force the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, against their minds, but let them enjoy their humours. Spirits truly generous hate to impose. [3.] Of the early distance between Jews and Gentiles; one table would not hold them.
(2.) He placed his brethren according to their seniority (Ge 43:33), as if he could certainly divine. Some think they placed themselves so, according to their custom; but, if so, I see not why such particular notice is taken of it, especially as a thing they marvelled at.
(3.) He gave them a very plentiful entertainment, sent messes to them from his own table, Ge 43:34. This was the more generous in him, and the more obliging to them, because of the present scarcity of provisions. In a day of famine, it is enough to be fed; but here they were feasted. Perhaps they had not had such a good dinner for many months. It is said, They drank and were merry; their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, concluding they were now upon good terms with the man, the lord of the land. If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be cheerful. Yet when we sit, as they here did, to eat with a ruler, we should consider what is before us, and not indulge our appetite, nor be desirous of dainties, Pr 23:1-3. Joseph gave them to understand that Benjamin was his favourite; for his mess was five times as much as any of theirs, not as if he would have him eat so much more than the rest, for then he must eat more than would do him good (and it is no act of friendship, but rather an injury and unkindness, to press any either to eat or drink to excess), but thus he would testify his particular respect for him, that he might try whether his brethren would envy Benjamin his larger messes, as formerly they had envied himself his finer coat. And it must be our rule, in such cases, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have.
此处继续约瑟弟兄们的故事，记述得十分详尽。I. 他们在迦南与父亲雅各忧愁的离别（创 43:1-14）。II. 他们在埃及与约瑟欢乐的相会（创 43:15-34 等）。因为这次在他们那里所发生的一切，尽都和谐愉快。