them who he is, and they no longer behold him as their judge, but as their brother. It is said that a certain painter unable to paint the agony of a father weeping over the dead body of his only child, hid his face in the garment which covered her lifeless remains. How then shall the scene which followed be described, that scene in which Joseph makes himself known to those who stood before him in silence, waiting for his answer to what Judah had said in behalf of Benjamin. His wishes are all accomplished, his brethren are humbled under a deep since of past guilt. "God hath found out the inquity of thy servants." This must refer to their cruelty to Joseph, as such he understood it. Their affection for Benjamin; unwilling to return without him. Their tender concern for their aged parent. Judah's offer to remain a bondman rather than see his father grieve or bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. All this must have made a very deep impression on Joseph's mind. And all he could say was to command all his servants to leave the room. 3 Then Then comes the SECRET which he had so long concealed. I. We shall first notice what JOSEPH said, when he MADE HIMSELF KNOWN to his BRETHREN. I AM JOSEPH!!! and thus adds, DOTH MY FATHER YET LIVE? He had put off the state of the Governor of Egypt, and the severity of a Judge. He puts on the love and affection of a brother. Tears introduce those three little words, I am Joseph. These were tears of tenderness and strong affection. He could not appear any longer strange, He now reveals his real name and character. Hitherto they had addressed him as Gover nor of Egypt; as Zaphnath Paaneah; and that they might not think it was another person of the same name, he adds "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt." This would at once humble and encourage them. His name might have assisted them to recollect his voice and his features, but it was necessary to mention also their selling him into Egypt, that he might remove all doubts in their minds. What must have been their surprize and astonishment when they saw him burst into tears, Hear them who he is, and they no longer behold him as their judge, but as their brother. It is said that a certain painter unable to paint the agony of a father weeping over the dead body of his only child, hid his face in the garment which covered her lifeless remains. How then shall the scene which followed be described, that scene in which Joseph makes himself known to those who stood before him in silence, waiting for his answer to what Judah had said in behalf of Benjamin. His wishes are all accomplished, his brethren are humbled under a deep since of past guilt. "God hath found out the inquity of thy servants." This must refer to their cruelty to Joseph, as such he understood it. Their affection for Benjamin; unwilling to return without him. Their tender concern for their aged parent. Judah's offer to remain a bondman rather than see his father grieve or bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. All this must have made a very deep impression on Joseph's mind. And all he could say was to command all his servants to leave the room. Then Then comes the SECRET which he had so long concealed. I. We shall first notice what JOSEPH said, when he MADE HIMSELF KNOWN to his BRETHREN. I AM JOSEPH!!! and thus adds, DOTH MY FATHER YET LIVE? He had put off the state of the Governor of Egypt, and the severity of a Judge. He puts on the love and affection of a brother. Tears introduce those three little words, I am Joseph. These were tears of tenderness and strong affection. He could not appear any longer strange, He now reveals his real name and character. Hitherto they had addressed him as Governor of Egypt; as Zaphnath Paaneah; and that they might not think it was another person of the same name, he adds "I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt." This would at once humble and en'courage them. His name might have assisted them to recollect his voice and his features, but it was necessary to mention also their selling him into Egypt, that he might remove all doubts in their minds. What must have been their surprize and astonishment when they saw him burst into tears, Hear Hear what is said of them when they heard these words, I AM JOSEPH." And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence." A discovery so unexpected, brought to their remembrance all their past guilt. What surprize! What terror! What confusion of face! What fear, what grief, what hope, what joy must have all at once been mingled together in their minds; No doubt, they started back with terror at his words. Then Joseph said unto them. come near, I pray you; and they came near. Perhaps he might call them near to him, that the Egyptians might not hear their conversation. Well might they be troubled at his presence. Well might they be silent when they had nothing to say in their own defence. Perhaps Reuben indulged the hope of being forgiven; as to Benjamin, he had nothing to fear. The rest of Joseph's brethren had every thing to fear. If Joseph had been actually dead, and had risen and appeared to them; If he had accused them and reproached them for their cruelty, they could not have been more afraid. Therefore we shall notice, II. |