“Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?”
This story showeth plainly that all things are governed by God’s providence for the profit of his Church. As men destitute of counsel. Or, corn.
“And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. roughly: Heb. hard things with them”
This dissembling is not to be followed, nor any particular facts of the fathers not approved by God’s word.
“And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.”
Gen. 37:5 Hebrew, nakedness , or, filthiness .
“Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.”
The Egyptians which were idolaters, used to swear by their king’s life: but God forbiddeth to swear by any but him: yet Joseph dwelling among the wicked smelleth of their corruptions.
“And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:”
And therefore am true and just.
“And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.”
Affliction maketh men to acknowledge their faults, which otherwise they would dissemble.
“And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.”
God will take vengeance upon us, and measure us with our own measure. Gen. 37:21
“And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. he spake: Heb. an interpreter was between them”
Hebrew, an interpreter between them .
“And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.”
Though he showed himself rigorous, yet his brotherly affection remained.
“And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? failed: Heb. went forth”
Hebrew, went out . Because their conscience accused them of their sin, they thought God would have brought them to trouble by this money.
“And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.”
For they seemed not to be touched with any love toward their brethren which increased his sorrow: and partly as appeareth he suspected them for Joseph. Or, light upon me.