"And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken" (Genesis 44:2).
Is not this cup an emblem of the cup of salvation?
Doth not Jesus put it Himself in the hands and hearts of His people?
Psalm 116:13.
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"[And] when they were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?" (Genesis 44:4).
And doth not this plan of Joseph to detain his brethren, lead the reader to remark how graciously Jesus useth means to detain our hearts, in order to bring them home to Himself?
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"" (Genesis 44:17-18).
>>
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Genesis 43
"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." (Genesis 43:3).
If the reader be taught of God the Holy Ghost to read this spiritually, he will perceive that the same is said respecting Jesus.
We cannot see the face of God except that Jesus be with us; John 14:6.
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"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" (Genesis 43:9).
I detain the reader to remark the character here assumed by Judah as a surety, in which he was an eminent type of Jesus.
It was Jesus who from everlasting undertook to answer for His people.
And in this great office He hath fulfilled all righteousness, and expiated all offences; and is now pledged (as Judah said here), to bring all His people and set them before His father.
Sweetly is it said of him that he restored that which he took not away; Psalm 69:4.
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"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" (Genesis 43:11).
Observe, though Canaan wanted corn, yet it abounded with honey.
Reader! there are many parts of the earth which are blessed with the gifts of common providence: but what are these without the special gifts of grace.
Bread is the staff of life.
And what bread is to the body such is Jesus to the soul.
Lord, evermore give me this bread! John 6:33-35.
__________________________________________________
"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" (Genesis 43:18).
Is there not a spiritual illustration here!
Are not awakened souls alarmed when first brought into Jesus' house and presence?
Read that scripture, Revelation 1:17.
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"And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there" (Genesis 43:25).
Is not this expected interview between Joseph and his brethren similar to that which we are looking forward to between God and ourselves?
But as the presence of Benjamin with them ensured their gracious reception, so if Jesus be with us we have no cause to fear ours.
__________________________________________________
Reader! let you and I turn from the table of Joseph amidst his brethren, while they are thus merry and happy with him, to consider the spiritual interest which we have in these things.
The world which we dwell in, like that of Canaan to the Patriarch's family, is a world of famine in bread for the soul. And if you know what spiritual hunger means, you will know also that this heavenly corn for ourselves and our household can nowhere else be had but of the lord of the country, even from the Lord Jesus, of whom Joseph was the type.
Shall we not arise and go to him?
We will not, like Jacob's sons, take a present in our hand, for he is too rich to be benefitted by our favours: and his blessings are too great to come within the price of purchase.
But like Jacob, let us pray that God Almighty may give us mercy before the man, even the God'man Christ Jesus.
Dearest Lord, behold us now before Thee!
Oh! say to Thy stewards the ministers of Thy table as Joseph did to his; bring these men home and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon.
And oh! the wonderful condescension, Jesus indeed receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
We see Thy face. We behold Thy glory. We hear Thy voice. We rejoice and are merry like the brethren of Joseph, while our brother Jesus saith, Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
And dearest Redeemer! we would pray do Thou make our meeting gracious in drawing nigh to us by Thy Holy Spirit, in opening to our minds the Holy Scriptures, and in making Thyself known to us in breaking of bread and in prayer.
Then shall we fully understand and have our souls refreshed indeed in the experience, that Thy flesh is meat indeed, and Thy blood drink indeed.
If the reader be taught of God the Holy Ghost to read this spiritually, he will perceive that the same is said respecting Jesus.
We cannot see the face of God except that Jesus be with us; John 14:6.
__________________________________________________
"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" (Genesis 43:9).
I detain the reader to remark the character here assumed by Judah as a surety, in which he was an eminent type of Jesus.
It was Jesus who from everlasting undertook to answer for His people.
And in this great office He hath fulfilled all righteousness, and expiated all offences; and is now pledged (as Judah said here), to bring all His people and set them before His father.
Sweetly is it said of him that he restored that which he took not away; Psalm 69:4.
__________________________________________________
"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" (Genesis 43:11).
Observe, though Canaan wanted corn, yet it abounded with honey.
Reader! there are many parts of the earth which are blessed with the gifts of common providence: but what are these without the special gifts of grace.
Bread is the staff of life.
And what bread is to the body such is Jesus to the soul.
Lord, evermore give me this bread! John 6:33-35.
__________________________________________________
"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" (Genesis 43:18).
Is there not a spiritual illustration here!
Are not awakened souls alarmed when first brought into Jesus' house and presence?
Read that scripture, Revelation 1:17.
__________________________________________________
"And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there" (Genesis 43:25).
Is not this expected interview between Joseph and his brethren similar to that which we are looking forward to between God and ourselves?
But as the presence of Benjamin with them ensured their gracious reception, so if Jesus be with us we have no cause to fear ours.
__________________________________________________
Reader! let you and I turn from the table of Joseph amidst his brethren, while they are thus merry and happy with him, to consider the spiritual interest which we have in these things.
The world which we dwell in, like that of Canaan to the Patriarch's family, is a world of famine in bread for the soul. And if you know what spiritual hunger means, you will know also that this heavenly corn for ourselves and our household can nowhere else be had but of the lord of the country, even from the Lord Jesus, of whom Joseph was the type.
Shall we not arise and go to him?
We will not, like Jacob's sons, take a present in our hand, for he is too rich to be benefitted by our favours: and his blessings are too great to come within the price of purchase.
But like Jacob, let us pray that God Almighty may give us mercy before the man, even the God'man Christ Jesus.
Dearest Lord, behold us now before Thee!
Oh! say to Thy stewards the ministers of Thy table as Joseph did to his; bring these men home and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon.
And oh! the wonderful condescension, Jesus indeed receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
We see Thy face. We behold Thy glory. We hear Thy voice. We rejoice and are merry like the brethren of Joseph, while our brother Jesus saith, Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
And dearest Redeemer! we would pray do Thou make our meeting gracious in drawing nigh to us by Thy Holy Spirit, in opening to our minds the Holy Scriptures, and in making Thyself known to us in breaking of bread and in prayer.
Then shall we fully understand and have our souls refreshed indeed in the experience, that Thy flesh is meat indeed, and Thy blood drink indeed.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
"" (Genesis 42:1).
Reader! recollect that at our last view of Jacob we left him in a state of the greatest affliction, on the supposed loss of Joseph; Genesis 37:35.
Here we find him in the midst of his family, likely to perish for want of bread!
Remember what Jesus saith, John 16:33.
Then read that sweet Scripture, Isaiah 33:16.
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"" (Genesis 42:7).
>>>
Reader! recollect that at our last view of Jacob we left him in a state of the greatest affliction, on the supposed loss of Joseph; Genesis 37:35.
Here we find him in the midst of his family, likely to perish for want of bread!
Remember what Jesus saith, John 16:33.
Then read that sweet Scripture, Isaiah 33:16.
__________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 42:7).
>>>
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Jesus, Our Wonderful Counsellor, The Revealer of Secrets - Genesis 41
"" (Genesis 41:38).
Reader! do not overlook our great spiritual Joseph through all this.
While Pharaoh exclaims with astonishment in the view of the Spirit of God in Joseph, how ought we to admire and adore Him, who received not the Spirit of God by measure, but in Whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily? John 3:34; Colossians 2:9.
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"" (Genesis 41:40).
How sweet are those words applied to, and spoken of, Jesus!
John 15:5.
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"" (Genesis 41:42).
When the Church is adorned in the robes of the Redeemer's righteousness then, like Joseph, how differently clad from the former wretchedness!
Psalm 45:9-11.
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"" (Genesis 41:45).
Zaphnath-panneah, a revealer of secrets.
And is not Jesus a revealer of secrets?
Is He not at the right hand of God, to teach us His Father's will, dispensing spiritual life and food to a famished world?
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:46).
Jesus was about the same age when He entered upon His public ministry (cf. Luke 3:23).
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"" (Genesis 41:55).
Sweet thought suggested here, in view of the perishing Egyptians going unto Joseph; to teach perishing sinners how to go unto Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2.
Reader! do not overlook our great spiritual Joseph through all this.
While Pharaoh exclaims with astonishment in the view of the Spirit of God in Joseph, how ought we to admire and adore Him, who received not the Spirit of God by measure, but in Whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily? John 3:34; Colossians 2:9.
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:40).
How sweet are those words applied to, and spoken of, Jesus!
John 15:5.
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:42).
When the Church is adorned in the robes of the Redeemer's righteousness then, like Joseph, how differently clad from the former wretchedness!
Psalm 45:9-11.
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:45).
Zaphnath-panneah, a revealer of secrets.
And is not Jesus a revealer of secrets?
Is He not at the right hand of God, to teach us His Father's will, dispensing spiritual life and food to a famished world?
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:46).
Jesus was about the same age when He entered upon His public ministry (cf. Luke 3:23).
_________________________________________________
"" (Genesis 41:55).
Sweet thought suggested here, in view of the perishing Egyptians going unto Joseph; to teach perishing sinners how to go unto Jesus.
Hebrews 12:2.
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