Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.43 / 50 Ch.s
GE:43
* Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin into Egypt. (1-14)
Joseph's reception of his brethren, their fears. (15-25) Joseph
makes a feast for his brethren. (26-34)
#1-14 Jacob urges his sons to go and buy a little food; now, in
time of dearth, a little must suffice. Judah urges that Benjamin
should go with them. It is not against the honour and duty
children owe their parents, humbly to advise them, and when
needful, to reason with them. Jacob saw the necessity of the
case, and yielded. His prudence and justice appeared in three
things. 1. He sent back the money they had found in the sack.
Honesty obliges us to restore not only that which comes to us by
our own fault, but 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. 2. He sent as
much again as they took the time before; the price of corn might
be risen, or they might have to pay a ransom for Simeon. 3. He
sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were
scarce in Egypt, balm, and honey, &c. Providence dispenses not
its gifts to all alike. But honey and spice will never make up
the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, yet they
had balm and myrrh, &c. We may live well enough upon plain food,
without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain
food. Let us thank God that what is most needful and useful,
generally is most cheap and common. Though men value very highly
their gold and silver, and the luxuries which are counted the
best fruits of every land, yet in a time of famine they
willingly barter them for bread. And how little will earthly
good things stand us in stead in the day of wrath! How ready
should we be to renounce them all, as loss, for the excellency
of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Our way to prevail with man is
by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But, Thy
will be done, should close every petition for the mercies of
this life, or against the afflictions of this life.
#15-25 Jacob's sons 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 bodily food. Joseph's steward had orders from his
master to take them to his house. Even this frightened them.
Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing. But the
steward encouraged them. It appears, from what he said, that by
his good master he was brought to the knowledge of the true God,
the God of the Hebrews. Religious servants should take all fit
occasions to speak of God and his providence, with reverence and
seriousness.
#26-34 Observe the great respect Joseph's brethren paid to him.
Thus were Joseph's dreams more and more fulfilled. Joseph showed
great kindness to them. He treated them nobly; but see here the
early distance between Jews and gentiles. In a day of famine, it
is enough to be fed; but they were feasted. Their cares and
fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy,
reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land.
If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be
cheerful. Joseph showed special regard for Benjamin, that he
might try whether his brethren would envy him. It must be our
rule, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what
others have. Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves, more and more
of their need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge
from destruction. He overcomes their unwillingness, and brings
them to himself. Then, as he sees good, he gives them some taste
of his love, and welcomes them to the provisions of his house,
as an earnest of what he further intends for them.