Genesis 45

Genesis 45:1

COuld not refraine] That is, from teares.

goe out from me] Not that he was ashamed of his brethren, (for he did owne both them, and his father, as is plainly shewed afterward) but that he would cover his brethrens fault, which he did it seemes not onely from the Egyptians, but from his father also; for otherwise, it is probably conceived that if Jacob had knowne it, he would have made an Item upon it among his farewell speeches concerning his sonnes, as he did of the fact of Simeon and Levi, Chap. 49. Besides, it was not suitable to the person of a man in place so great, and reputed so wise to weepe before others, according to his naturall loudnesse, which was very great.

Genesis 45:2

wept aloud] As he shewed great wisdome in keeping in so great affection, without discovery untill now, so now he expressed a most kind and compassionate disposition to his brethren, notwithstanding their wicked and cruell usage of him in former times; an excellent patterne of a placable heart, estranged from revenge, though both their dealing deserved it, and he had power, and opportunitie to pay them to the full.

the house of Pharaoh heard] Some Egyptians were neer and heard immediately, but the house of Pharaoh had it by report, as vers. 16.

Genesis 45:3

troubled at his presence] The sense of guilt, and feare of punishment put them into a silent amazement.

Genesis 45:4

Come neere] It is like Joseph as a great Lord sate in some state, and his brethren kept a reverend distance from him; now he calls them neere, that they might take better notice of him, and he might speake more privately to them, that which was not sit for any other to heare, but themselves.

Genesis 45:5

Be not grieved] This example teacheth that we must by all meanes comfort them which are truly humbled, and wounded for their sinnes, lest they should be swallowed up of too much sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:7.

for God did send] See Annot. on vers. 8. & Psal. 105. vers. 16, 17.

Genesis 45:6

Earing nor harvest] That is, no tillage, no seed sowen, no harvest to be reaped, (except in the places neere the bankes of Nilus, see Annot. on Chap. 41. vers. 34.) because they had not store, and stocke enough to serve for bread, and seed; and it was to no purpose to sow when Joseph by revelation knew there would be no returne to recompence the cost, the earth being by barrennesse unable to pay not the use but the principall also; God revealing this unto Joseph, made him a meanes of much mercy to thousands of people, who (but for his providence and provision) might have perished by famine.

Genesis 45:8

But God] Albeit God detesteth sinne, he turneth mans wickednesse to serve to his glory; as Joseph saith unto his brethren; Ye thought evill against me, but God meant it unto good to bring to passe (as at this day) to save much people alive, Chap. 50. vers. 20. So that Joseph in this speech doth not meane to cleare his brethren from all fault, but to cheere them up in contemplation of Gods providence, who turned their malice, and his misery into a meanes of great mercy; And indeed God is so good that out of the worst conspiracies, and deeds of the wicked, he can worke the greatest welfare; as from the bloody counsels of Herod, and Pilate, and many others against our Saviour, Acts 4:27. the salvation of the elect, Ephesians 1:7. This may minister comfort, and confidence against the plots, and attempts of the wicked; wherein though they meane nothing but mischiefe, God can by his omnipotent providence bring forth quite contrary effects to that they intend; and as he brings light out of darknesse, 2 Corinthians 4:6. so he can bring peace out of warre, quiet and orderly government out of confused rebellion; and the ruine of Antichrist by that way, whereby he hopes to reigne with glory, and securitie: and this may likewise moderate our minds towards the wicked (as we see in Joseph toward his brethren) that we neither malice their persons, nor breake out into any unwarrantable dealing towards them.

a father to Pharaoh] That is, a counsellour or teacher; for such a one is called a father, Judges 17:10-11. For he that counselleth, and teacheth another, doth (if the one be wise, the other tractable) rule and governe him, as if he had the authoritie of a father over him; so was it betwixt Joseph, and Pharaoh, Joseph advised, and Pharaoh assented; and so much regarded his judgement, that in the publique affaires none might move a hand, or foot against his mind, Chap. 41. vers. 44.

Genesis 45:10

Goshen] Goshen was a Province in Egypt situate betwixt the river Nilus, and the red Sea, bordering upon the Land of Canaan, it was a fruitfull soyle, fit for the breeding, and increase of cattell; where Jacob, and his sonnes might commodiously keepe their flockes of sheepe, with lesse offence to the Egyptians, then any where else, Shepherds being generally an abomination to the Egyptians, Genesis 46:34. and this promise Joseph maketh to his father either after particular conference with, and licence from Pharaoh to that purpose, or out of confidence of his favourable assent, whensoever the motion was made unto him, as appeareth, Chap. 47. vers. 4. 6.

thou shalt be neere] For the Citie of On where Joseph had his chiefe habitation, was neere to Goshen.

Genesis 45:12

that it is my mouth] Your eyes and eares may both be witnesses that I your brother Joseph spake unto you, by mine own mouth, without an interpreter, whom before I used, Chap. 42. 23. and in Hebrew our native tongue have I told you such things, as, were I not your brother, I could not tell you.

Genesis 45:15

kissed also his brethren] See Annot. on Chap. 29. vers. 11. & on Chap 31. 55.

and wept upon them] See Annot. on vers. 2. of this Chapter.

Genesis 45:16

it pleae Pharaoh] It was more easie for Pharaoh to be well pleased with the coming of Josephs kindred, because he was too high to envie him or any of them, but it was much that Courtiers were so farre from envie, as to rejoyce in so much grace conferred on a stranger favourite, which yet might be but a dissembled content, and while they seemed to honour Joseph they might but humour the King.

Genesis 45:17

And Pharaoh said] Pharaoh for Josephs sake sheweth himselfe very kinde to Josephs kindred; A good man in honour and favour in the Court, may be a meanes of much good to many in the countrey.

Genesis 45:18

the good of the land] That is, the chiefest fruits, and commodities.

the fat of the land] The Hebrewes call that by the name of fat in many things which is the best of that kinde. See Genesis 27. vers. 28.

Genesis 45:20

regard not your stuffe] That is, what you cannot conveniently carry with you doe not care to leave it behind you, for you shall be furnished here with what you shall have need of.

Genesis 45:22

changes of raiment] That is, (as some conceive) a course garment for private use within the house, and a more precious suit to weare abroad; Or change of garments, is such precious garments as will move a man to change those he had before, to put the old off, and put on these, 2 Kings 5:22. Zac 3:4. Or, changes of raiment might be of upper garments, which were not made for any body in particular, but might indifferently be worne by any; such garments they put on often; and it may be they had more need of change, because they used in passionate griefe to teare their cloathes, especially those which covered all the rest, as Chap. 37. 29. 34. & Chap. 44. 13. and many other places. Hence it was that change of garments were not onely given in testimony of honour, or favour, but as wagers upon contestation, or triall of any matter in doubt, as Judg. 14. 12.

but to Benjamin] He sheweth more kindnesse to Benjamin then to any of the rest, as appeareth not onely here, but Chap. 43. 34. and vers. 14. of this Chapter, because he was his brother by both parents; which sheweth that the greatest measure of naturall affection belongeth to the neerest degree of naturall kindred.

Genesis 45:23

after this manner] That is, (as some conceive) both money and changes of raiment, in proportion to that he gave unto his brethren, and according to the respect he bare unto him; but it is more probable that after this manner should be referred to what followeth, then to the particulars fore-mentioned.

Genesis 45:24

fall not out by the way] Of this caution there was some need, because it was like one would lay the blame on another, and by excusing on one side, and aggravating on another they might make a quarrell about him, who had remitted all the wrongs, and was now reconciled to them all.

Genesis 45:26

Jacobs heart fainted] The conflict betwixt hope, and doubt, joy, and feare, but especially feare prevailing put Jacob into a swooning or fainting fit.

he beleeved them not] Vehement passions whether of joy, as Luke 24:41. or of feare, are great impediments to faith and there was the lesse beliefe given unto them, because they had told a lye of Joseph to make Jacob beleeve that Joseph was dead; A just reward for a Lier, that when he telleth truth he should not be beleeved.

Genesis 45:27

revived] It is said, his spirit revived, when he saw the wagons, but if he were as dead in a swoone before, (and if he were not, how was he revived?) he could not see them. Answ. His fainting, or fayling of spirit might not be so much as to take away his senses; or if it were, they might return before he recovered the livelinesse of his spirit, and then seeing what was sent from Egypt, and thereby assured against all doubting, he was cheered up with the beliefe of Josephs safetie and honour, as they had reported it.

Genesis 45:28

It is enough] Enough content for me, that Joseph lives; and enough for life, if I may be so happy as to see him once before I die, Genesis 46:30.