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英文原文
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)
雅各不願捨棄便雅憫(主前1707年)
¹ 那地的饑荒甚大。
² 他們從埃及帶來的糧食吃盡了,他們的父親對他們說:你們再去給我們糴些糧來。
³ 猶大對他說:那人諄諄地警告我們說:你們的兄弟若不與你們同來,你們就不得見我的面。
⁴ 你若打發我們的兄弟與我們同去,我們就下去給你糴糧;
⁵ 你若不打發他去,我們就不下去,因為那人對我們說:你們的兄弟若不與你們同來,你們就不得見我的面。
⁶ 以色列說:你們為甚麼這樣害我,告訴那人你們還有兄弟呢?
⁷ 他們回答說:那人詳細問到我們和我們的親屬,說:你們的父親還在嗎?你們還有兄弟嗎?我們就按著這些話告訴他;我們豈能知道他要說:把你們的兄弟帶下來呢?
⁸ 猶大又對他父親以色列說:你打發少年人與我同去,我們就起身下去,好叫我們和你、並我們的婦人孩子,都得存活,不至於死。
⁹ 我為他作保;你可以從我手中追討。我若不帶他回來交在你面前,我便永遠擔罪。
¹⁰ 我們若沒有耽擱,如今第二次都回來了。
此處:1. 雅各催促兒子們再去埃及糴糧(創四十三1–2)。饑荒仍然持續;他們所糴的糧都吃盡了,因為這是會朽壞的食物。雅各作為一位好家長,殷勤為自己家中的人豫備合宜的食物;神豈不更要為祂的兒女、為「信家之人」豫備嗎?雅各吩咐他們再去糴「一點」糧食;如今在缺乏之時,一點也就夠了,因為自然所求的不多。2. 猶大勸他同意讓便雅憫與他們同去,無論這如何與他的情感和先前的決定相違。當留意:兒女以謙卑、節制的態度勸諫父母,在合宜時機與他們講理,這完全不是對父母應有的尊敬和本分的衝突。何二2:「要與你們的母親爭辯,爭辯」。(1) 他堅持他們必須帶便雅憫同去的絕對必要——他是埃及所發生一切的見證人,對此事比雅各更有資格判斷。約瑟的嚴正宣告(創四十三3)可作比擬,說明我們當以何條件親近神:我們若不把基督帶在信心的懷中,就不能以安慰見神的面。(2) 他保證要盡一切可能照顧他,為他的安全盡力而為(創四十三8–9)。猶大的良心近來因他先前對約瑟所作所為而深受責備(創四十二21);作為他真悔改的憑據,他樂意盡人所能為便雅憫的安全承擔責任。他不但不會害他,更要盡一切力量保護他。這是按案情所能作的歸還;他既不知道如何把約瑟歸還,便藉著加倍照顧便雅憫來彌補他對約瑟所造成那無可挽回的損害。
英文原文
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)
約瑟的哥哥們再被差往埃及（主前1707年）
¹¹ 他們的父親以色列說：「若必須如此，你們就當這樣行：可以將這地最好的土產帶在器皿裏，送給那人作禮物——就是一點乳香、一點蜂蜜、香料、沒藥、榧子、杏仁。 ¹² 又要手裏加倍地帶銀子去；並要將歸還在你們口袋裏的銀子，仍帶在手裏；那或者是錯了。 ¹³ 也帶着你們的兄弟，起來去見那人。 ¹⁴ 但願全能的神使你們在那人面前蒙憐憫，釋放你們的那兄弟和便雅憫回來。我若喪了兒子，就喪了吧！」
當在此注意：一、雅各的肯聽勸。他情願受理性引導，即使勸他的是不及自己的人。他看見了案件的必要；既無別法，他就同意向必要讓步（創43:11）：「*若必須如此……就帶着你們的兄弟。*若不按這些條件就得不到糧，我們與其讓自己和全家——便雅憫也在其中——因缺糧而滅亡，倒不如讓他冒旅途的危險。」「人以皮代皮，情願捨去一切所有的，保全性命」——連便雅憫，那最寶貴的，也是如此。沒有比饑荒而死更可怕的了（哀4:9）。雅各從前說過（創42:38）：「我的兒子不可與你們一同下去」；如今他卻被勸服同意了。當知，當有充分理由時，改變我們的目的和決心，不是過失，而是我們的智慧和本分。堅定是美德，頑固卻不是。不後悔、立定不改變的決心，是神的特權。
二、雅各的謹慎和公正，顯在三件事上：1. 他打發人把在他們口袋口所發現的銀子帶回去，並作了這謹慎的解讀：「那或者是錯了。」當知，誠實要求我們歸還，不僅我們因自己的過錯所得的，也當歸還因別人的錯誤而得的我們。雖然我們因疏忽而得到，若在疏忽被發現後仍保留，就是以欺騙保留。在算賬時，錯誤必須剔除——既包括對我們不利的，也包括對我們有利的。雅各的話給了我們一個有利的解讀，可用在我們受試探視為傷害和侮辱的事上：放過它，說「那或者是錯了。」2. 他打發加倍的銀子——比上次所帶的多一倍——設想糧價也許漲了，或若被堅持要求，可用以贖回西緬，或付他的監禁費，或為顯出慷慨的精神，使他們更可能在「那人，那地之主」面前受到慷慨的對待。3. 他打發了一份本地所產、在埃及稀少的禮物——「乳香和蜂蜜」等（創43:11），就是迦南出口的商品（創37:25）。當知，（1）護理以各種方式分發它的恩賜。有的國家出產這種商品，有的出產那種，為要保持貿易。（2）蜂蜜和香料永不能補足糧食的缺乏。迦南的饑荒甚大，他們卻有乳香和沒藥等。我們靠粗茶淡飯可以活得很好，不需要美味；卻不能靠美味而無粗茶淡飯而活。願我們感謝神：那最必要、最有用的，通常最廉價、最普遍。（3）「暗中送的禮物，挽回怒氣」（箴21:14）。雅各的兒子們被不公正地誣為探子，雅各卻情願花費一份禮物，去安撫那控告者。有時我們即使可以公正地要求和平、堅持這是我們的權利，也不可認為買和平太過代價。
三、雅各的敬虔，顯在他的禱告中：「但願全能的神使你們在那人面前蒙憐憫！」（創43:14）。雅各從前曾以禮物和禱告把一個發怒的兄弟變為慈和的；如今他又訴諸這經過驗證的方法，結果甚好。當知，那些要在人面前蒙憐憫的，必須向神求——他掌握萬人的心，隨意轉移他們。
四、雅各的忍耐。他以這話作結：「*我若喪了兒子，就喪了吧！*若我必須這樣一個接一個地與他們分離，我必須順服，說：『願主的旨意成就。』」當知，我們的智慧是使自己與最沉重的患難和解，善用它們；因為與造我們的主相爭，一無所得（撒下15:25-26）。
英文原文
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)
約瑟款待他的弟兄們（主前1707年）
¹⁵ 於是那些人帶著那禮物，又手中加倍的帶銀子，並帶著便雅憫，起身下到埃及，站在約瑟面前。
¹⁶ 約瑟見便雅憫和他們同來，就對家宰說：「將這些人領到屋裏，要宰殺牲畜，預備筵席，因為晌午這些人要和我同吃飯。」
¹⁷ 家宰就遵著約瑟所吩咐的去行，領這些人進了約瑟的屋裏。
¹⁸ 那些人因為被領到約瑟的屋裏，就害怕，說：「領我們到這裏來，必是因為頭次我們口袋裏的銀子；要找機會下手害我們，強取我們為奴僕，又搶我們的驢。」
¹⁹ 他們就挨近約瑟的家宰，在屋門口和他說話，說：
²⁰ 「我主啊，我們頭次下來實在是為了糴糧。
²¹ 後來到了住宿的地方，我們打開口袋，不料，各人的銀子分量足數，仍在各人的口袋口上；現在我們手裏又帶回來了。
²² 另外又帶了銀子在手中，用來糴糧。我們不知道是誰把我們的銀子放在我們的口袋裏。」
²³ 家宰說：「你們可以放心，不要害怕，是你們的神和你們父親的神，在你們口袋裏給你們裝了財寶。你們的銀子我早已收下了。」他就把西緬帶出來交給他們。
²⁴ 家宰領他們進了約瑟的屋裏，給他們水洗腳，又給他們驢草料。
²⁵ 他們就預備那禮物，等候約瑟晌午來，因為他們聽見要在那裏吃飯。
雅各的兒子們既得了攜帶便雅憫同去的許可，便遵行父親所吩咐的，第二次下到埃及去糴糧。我們若有一天知道缺乏真道的饑荒是甚麼意思，就當不以為苦，為屬靈的糧食像他們為身體的糧食那樣遠行。如今這裏我們記載他們與約瑟家宰之間所發生的事；有人猜測家宰是知情的，知道他們是約瑟的弟兄，並幫著把事情湊成戲；我倒寧可不作此想，因為後來約瑟與弟兄們相認之時，並不許任何人在場（創 45:1）。當留意：1. 約瑟的家宰奉他主人（他正忙於賣糧、收銀）之命，領他們到他屋裏，為他們預備款待。約瑟雖見便雅憫在那裏，卻不願在工作時間離開他的工作，也不肯把工作交託別人。注意，在工作之時，事務當在客套之上。我們必需的職業不可疏忽，就是為了向朋友致敬也不可。2. 連這事也使他們驚怕：他們因為被領到約瑟的屋裏，就害怕（創 43:18）。他們自己良心的正當控訴，以及約瑟對他們的強烈疑心，不容他們指望任何恩待，倒暗示他們這事是對他們不利的計謀。注意，那有罪膽怯的人容易把每件事往最壞處想。他們如今心想必要為口袋裏的銀子被算賬，要被指控為騙子，是不可與之交易的人——他們曾趁市場忙亂之際，把未付銀子的糧食帶走。他們因此把這事擺在家宰面前，好叫他知道後能站在他們和危險之間；並作為他們誠實的確實證據，他們在被指控取回銀子之前，便自己把銀子拿出來了。注意，正直誠實必保守我們，也必如清晨的光那樣自顯清白。3. 家宰鼓勵他們（創 43:23）：*你們可以放心，不要害怕；*他雖不知道主人所圖的是甚麼，卻曉得這些人是他不加害的——他不過這樣逗弄他們；所以他指引他們在銀子被退回一事上看見神的護理：*是你們的神和你們父親的神，在你們口袋裏給你們裝了財寶。*當留意：（1）藉此他表明他一點也不疑心他們不誠實；因為我們用詭詐所得的，不能說「神賜給我們」。（2）藉此他止住他們對此事進一步的查究。「不要問它是怎麼來的；護理把它帶到你們這裏，這就夠你們滿意了。」（3）從他所說的看來，他因他良善主人的教訓，已被引到對真神——希伯來人的神——的認識上。在敬虔之家作僕人的，理當把握一切合宜的機會，以敬畏和認真的態度談論神和祂的護理。（4）他指引他們仰望神，在他們所作的好交易上承認祂的護理。我們當承認自己虧欠神——我們的神和我們列祖的神（與我們和他們立約的神）——為著我們一切的成功和好處，並朋友的恩情；因為每一樣受造之物對我們是甚麼、不是甚麼，全在於神使它如何。家宰不僅用言語、更用行動鼓勵他們；因為他厚待他們，直到他主人來到（創 43:24）。
²⁶ 約瑟來到家裏，他們就把手中的禮物帶進屋去給他，又俯伏在地向他下拜。
²⁷ 約瑟問他們好，又說：「你們所說的那老人家平安嗎？他還健在嗎？」
²⁸ 他們回答說：「你僕人我們的父親平安，他還健在。」於是他們低頭下拜。
²⁹ 約瑟舉目看見他母親的兒子、自己的兄弟便雅憫，就說：「你們向我所說那頂小的兄弟，就是這位嗎？」又說：「小兒啊，願神恩待你。」
³⁰ 約瑟愛弟之情發動，就急忙尋找可哭之地，進入自己的內室，在那裏哭了一場。
³¹ 他洗了臉出來，勉強忍住，吩咐人擺飯。
³² 他們就為約瑟單擺了一席，為那些人也單擺了一席，又為和約瑟同吃飯的埃及人另擺了一席；因為埃及人不可和希伯來人一同吃飯；那原是埃及人所厭惡的。
³³ 約瑟使眾弟兄在他面前排列坐下，長子按長幼，幼子按次序；那些人就彼此詫異。
³⁴ 約瑟把他面前的食物分出來，送給他們；但便雅憫所得的，比別人多五倍。他們就飲酒，和約瑟一同宴樂。
這裏有：一、約瑟的弟兄們對他所表示的大敬意。他們把禮物帶給他之時，就俯伏在地向他下拜（創 43:26）；又一次，他們把父親的康健告訴他之時，就下拜，並稱他為你僕人我們的父親（創 43:28）。這樣約瑟的夢越來越得應驗：連父親也藉著兒子們在他面前下拜——正如那夢所言（創 37:10）。大概雅各曾吩咐他們：若有機會在那人——那地的主面前提到他，就要稱他為他的僕人。
二、約瑟對他們所表示的大恩慈——那時他們還想不到這是弟兄之情。這裏有：
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他對雅各關切的詢問：他還健在嗎？——對任何人，尤其是對老年人所當問的一個十分合宜的問題；因為我們日日都在死：奇怪我們還活著。雅各許多年前曾說：我必悲哀著下陰間到我兒子那裏；但他還健在：我們不能要死的時候就死。
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他對便雅憫——他自己的兄弟——所表示的恩顧。（1）他為他獻上禱告：小兒啊，願神恩待你（創 43:29）。約瑟的恩寵——雖然他是那地的主——對他便雅憫好處不大，除非神恩待他。許多人尋求掌權者的恩寵，但約瑟卻指引他尋求萬掌權者之主者的恩寵。（2）他為他流了幾滴眼淚（創 43:30）。他對兄弟天然的親情、見到他的喜樂、見到他和其他人為糧食而陷入困境的憂愁、以及記起自己上次見他之後的種種苦難，在他心中激起極大的激動——這激動或許因他竭力壓制反而更為難受；但他被迫退到自己的內室，在那裏藉眼淚發洩情感。注意：[1] 柔情和親情的眼淚，對大人物和智慧人絲無損。[2] 蒙恩而哭泣的人，不該張揚自己的眼淚。先知說：我的心必為哭泣（耶 13:17）。*彼得出去痛哭。*參太 26:75。
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他對他們全體的盛情款待。他的哭泣平息到能自禁之時，便與他們同坐席，隆重地款待他們，卻仍安排一切來逗弄他們。
（1）他吩咐擺三席：一席為他的弟兄們，一席為與他同席的埃及人（因他們風俗如此不同，不願同席），一席為他自己——他不敢認自己是希伯來人，卻又不肯與埃及人同坐。當在此看見一個例子：[1] 好客、好管家——按力量而行，是十分可稱許的。[2] 順應人的性情，連古怪的性情也順應——帕特里克主教稱埃及人不與希伯來人同席這風俗為古怪的。約瑟雖是那地的主，又有令百姓都服從他的命令，卻不強迫埃及人違心與希伯來人同席，而讓他們享受自己的性情。真正寬大的心靈不喜歡勉強人。[3] 猶太人和外邦人之間早有的隔閡：一張桌子容不下他們。
（2）他按著弟兄們的長幼次序安排座位（創 43:33），如同他必能占卜一般。有人想他們是按自己的習慣如此坐；但若是如此，我不明白為何要這樣特別記下，何況是作為他們所詫異的一件事。
（3）他給他們極豐盛的款待，從自己的席上送菜給他們（創 43:34）。在他更顯慷慨，對他們更顯恩慈，因為當時糧食缺乏。在饑荒之日，能得飽足已足夠；但在這裏他們卻得享筵席。也許他們許多月來沒有吃過這樣的好飯。經上記著：他們飲酒，和約瑟一同宴樂；他們的掛慮和懼怕如今過去了，他們歡喜吃飯，斷定自己如今與那人——那地的主——和好了。神若悅納我們的工作——我們的禮物——我們就有理由歡暢。然而我們如他們在這裏那樣，與掌權者同席而坐之時，當思想面前的是甚麼，不可放縱食慾，也不可貪圖美味（箴 23:1-3）。約瑟使他們明白便雅憫是他所喜愛的；因為他的份比別人多五倍——並非他要他比別人多吃那麼多，否則他便要吃得超過對他有益的分量（勸人吃喝過度不是友誼之舉，反倒是傷害和不善），而是他要藉此表示對他特別的敬意，好試探弟兄們是否會因便雅憫所得的份多而嫉妒，正如從前他們因他自己那件更美的衣服而嫉妒他一樣。我們在這類事上的法則，當是滿足於自己所有的，並不因別人所有的而懷憂。
英文原文
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.
本章記述約瑟的兄弟們第二次下埃及糴糧的經過。內容包括：一、猶大勸服雅各，讓便雅憫與他們同去，並為他作保（創 43:1-14）。二、他們帶著禮物和加倍的銀子下到埃及，到了約瑟面前（創 43:15-22）。三、約瑟的家宰安慰他們，並將西緬帶出來交給他們（創 43:23-25）。四、約瑟回來後與他們一同設宴，特別恩待便雅憫（創 43:26-34）。