Notes from Genesis 43

Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on, and very particularly related

I. Their melancholy parting with their father Jacob in Canaan (v. 1-14).
II. Their pleasant meeting with Joseph in Egypt (v. 15, etc.). For on this occasion nothing occurs there but what is agreeable and pleasant.

Notes from Genesis 42

We had, in the foregoing chapter, the fulfilling of the dreams which Joseph had interpreted: in this and the following chapters we have the fulfilling of the dreams which Joseph himself had dreamed, that his father's family should do homage to him. The story is very largely and particularly related of what passed between Joseph and his brethren, not only because it is an entertaining story, and probably was much talked of, both among the Israelites and among the Egyptians, but because it is very instructive, and it gave occasion for the removal of Jacob's family into Egypt, on which so many great events afterwards depended. We have, in this chapter,

I. The humble application of Jacob's sons to Joseph to buy corn (v. 1-6).
II. The fright Joseph put them into, for their trial (v. 7-20).
III. The conviction they were now under of their sin concerning Joseph long before (v. 21-24).
IV. Their return to Canaan with corn, and the great distress their good father was in upon hearing the account of their expedition (v. 25, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 41

Two things Providence is here bringing about:-

I. The advancement of Joseph.
II. The maintenance of Jacob and his family in a time of famine; for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men for the benefit of those few whose hearts are upright with him. In order to these, we have here,
1. Pharaoh's dreams (v. 1-8).
2. The recommendation of Joseph to him for an interpreter (v. 9-13).
3. The interpretation of the dreams, and the prediction of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Egypt, with the prudent advice given to Pharaoh thereupon (v. 14-36).
4. The preferment of Joseph to a place of the highest power and trust in Egypt (v. 37-45).
5. The accomplishment of Joseph's prediction, and his fidelity to his trust (v. 46, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 40

In this chapter things are working, though slowly, towards Joseph's advancement.

I. Two of Pharaoh's servants are committed to prison, and there to Joseph's care, and so become witnesses of his extraordinary conduct (v. 1-4).
II. They dreamed each of them a dream, which Joseph interpreted (v. 5-19), and the event verified the interpretation (v. 20-22), and so they became witnesses of his extraordinary skill.
III. Joseph recommends his case to one of them, whose preferment he foresaw (v. 14, 15), but in vain (v. 23).

Notes from Genesis 39

At this chapter we return to the story of Joseph. We have him here,

I. A servant, a slave in Potiphar's house (v. 1), and yet there greatly honoured and favoured,
1. By the providence of God, which made him, in effect, a master (v. 2-6).
2. By the grace of God, which made him more than a conqueror over a strong temptation to uncleanness (v. 7-12).
II. We have him here a sufferer, falsely accused (v. 13-18), imprisoned (v. 19, 20), and yet his imprisonment made both honourable and comfortable by the tokens of God's special presence with him (v. 21-23). And herein Joseph was a type of Christ, "who took upon him the form of a servant,' and yet then did that which made it evident that "God was with him,' who was tempted by Satan, but overcame the temptation, who was falsely accused and bound, and yet had all things committed to his hand.

Notes from Genesis 38

This chapter gives us an account of Judah and his family, and such an account it is that one would wonder that, of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, Heb. 7:14. If we were to form a character of him by this story, we should not say, "Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise,' ch. 49:8. But God will show that his choice is of grace and not of merit, and that Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the chief, and is not ashamed, upon their repentance, to be allied to them, also that the worth and worthiness of Jesus Christ are personal, of himself, and not derived from his ancestors. Humbling himself to be "made in the likeness of sinful flesh,' he was pleased to descend from some that were infamous. How little reason had the Jews, who were so called from this Judah, to boast, as they did, that they were not born of fornication! Jn. 8:41. We have, in this chapter,

I. Judah's marriage and issue, and the untimely death of his two eldest sons (v. 1-11).
II. Judah's incest with his daughter-in-law Tamar, without his knowing it (v. 12-23).
III. His confusion, when it was discovered (v. 24-26).
IV. The birth of his twin sons, in whom his family was built up (v. 27, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 37

At this chapter begins the story of Joseph, who, in every subsequent chapter but one to the end of this book, makes the greatest figure. He was Jacob's eldest son by his beloved wife Rachel, born, as many eminent men were, of a mother that had been long barren. His story is so remarkably divided between his humiliation and his exaltation that we cannot avoid seeing something of Christ in it, who was first humbled and then exalted, and, in many instances, so as to answer the type of Joseph. It also shows the lot of Christians, who must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom. In this chapter we have,

I. The malice his brethren bore against him. They hated him,
1. Because he informed his father of their wickedness (v. 1, 2).
2. Because his father loved him (v. 3, 4).
3. Because he dreamed of his dominion over them (v. 5-11).
II. The mischiefs his brethren designed and did to him.
1. The kind visit he made them gave an opportunity (v. 12-17).
2. They designed to slay him, but determined to starve him (v. 18-24).
3. They changed their purpose, and sold him for a slave (v. 25-28).
4. They made their father believe that he was torn in pieces (v. 29-35).
5. He was sold into Egypt to Potiphar (v. 36). And all this was working together for good.

Notes from Genesis 36

In this chapter we have an account of the posterity of Esau, who, from him, were called Edomites, that Esau who sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and was not loved of God as Jacob was. Here is a brief register kept of his family for some generations.

1. Because he was the son of Isaac, for whose sake this honour is put upon him.
2. Because the Edomites were neighbours to Israel, and their genealogy would be of use to give light to the following stories of what passed between them.
3. It is to show the performance of the promise to Abraham, that he should be "the father of many nations,' and of that answer which Rebekah had from the oracle she consulted, "Two nations are in thy womb,' and of the blessing of Isaac, "Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth.' We have here,
I. Esau's wives (v. 1-5).
II. His remove to mount Seir (v. 6-8).
III. The names of his sons (v. 9-14).
IV. The dukes who descended of his sons (v. 15-19).
V. The dukes of the Horites (v. 20-30).
VI. The kings and dukes of Edom (v. 31-43).
Little more is recorded than their names, because the history of those that were out of the church (though perhaps it might have been serviceable in politics) would have been of little use in divinity. It is in the church that the memorable instances are found of special grace, and special providence; for that is the enclosure, the rest is common. This chapter is abridged, 1 Chr. 1:35, etc.

Notes from Genesis 35

In this chapter we have three communions and three funerals.

I. Three communions between God and Jacob.
1. God ordered Jacob to Beth-el; and, in obedience to that order, he purged his house of idols, and prepared for that journey (v. 1-5).
2. Jacob built an altar at Beth-el, to the honour of God that had appeared to him, and in performance of his vow (v. 6, 7).
3. God appeared to him again, and confirmed the change of his name and covenant with him (v. 9-13), of which appearance Jacob made a grateful acknowledgment (v. 14, 15).
II. Three funerals.
1. Deborah's (v. 8).
2. Rachel's (v. 16-20).
3. Isaac's (v. 27-29). Here is also Rueben's incest (v. 22), and an account of Jacob's sons (v. 23-26).

Notes from Genesis 34

At this chapter begins the story of Jacob's afflictions in his children, which were very great, and are recorded to show,

1. The vanity of this world. That which is dearest to us may prove our greatest vexation, and we may meet with the greatest crosses in those things of which we said, "This same shall comfort us.'
2. The common griefs of good people. Jacob's children were circumcised, were well taught, and prayed for, and had very good examples set them; yet some of them proved very untoward. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.' Grace does not run in the blood, and yet the interrupting of the entail of grace does not cut off the entail of profession and visible church-privileges: nay, Jacob's sons, though they were his grief in some things, yet were all taken into covenant with God. In this chapter we have,
I. Dinah debauched (v. 1-5).
II. A treaty of marriage between her and Shechem who had defiled her (v. 6-19).
III. The circumcision of the Shechemites, pursuant to that treaty (v. 20-24).
IV. The perfidious and bloody revenge which Simeon and Levi took upon them (v. 25-31).

Notes from Genesis 33

We read, in the former chapter, how Jacob had power with God, and prevailed; here we find what power he had with men too, and how his brother Esau was mollified, and, on a sudden, reconciled to him; for so it is written, Prov. 16:7, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.' Here is,

I. A very friendly meeting between Jacob and Esau (v. 1-4).
II. Their conference at their meeting, in which they vie with each other in civil and kind expressions. Their discourse is
1. About Jacob's family (v. 5-7).
2. About the present he had sent (v. 8-11).
3. About the progress of their journey (v. 12-15).
III. Jacob's settlement in Canaan, his house, ground, and altar (v. 16-20).

Notes from Genesis 32

We have here Jacob still upon his journey towards Canaan. Never did so many memorable things occur in any march as in this of Jacob's little family. By the way he meets,

I. With good tidings from his God (v. 1, 2).
II. With bad tidings from his brother, to whom he sent a message to notify his return (v. 3-6). In his distress,
1. He divides his company (v. 7, 8).
2. He makes his prayer to God (v. 9-12).
3. He sends a present to his brother (v. 13-23).
4. He wrestles with the angel (v. 24-32).

Notes from Genesis 31

Jacob was a very honest good man, a man of great devotion and integrity, yet he had more trouble and vexation than any of the patriarchs. He left his father's house in a fright, went to his uncle's in distress, very hard usage he met with there, and now is going back surrounded with fears. Here is,

I. His resolution to return (v. 1-16).
II. His clandestine departure, (v. 17-21).
III. Laban's pursuit of him in displeasure (v. 22-25).
IV. The hot words that passed between them (v. 26-42).
V. Their amicable agreement at last (v. 43, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 30

In this chapter we have an account of the increase,

I. Of Jacob's family. Eight children more we find registered in this chapter; Dan and Naphtali by Bilhah, Rachel's maid (v. 1-8). Gad and Asher by Zilpah, Leah's maid (v. 9-13). Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, by Leah (v. 14-21). And, last of all, Joseph, by Rachel (v. 22-24).
II. Of Jacob's estate. He makes a new bargain with Laban (v. 25-34). And in the six years' further service he did to Laban God wonderfully blessed him, so that his stock of cattle became very considerable (v. 35-43). Herein was fulfilled the blessing with which Isaac dismissed him (ch. 28:3), "God make thee fruitful, and multiply thee.' Even these small matters concerning Jacob's house and field, though they seem inconsiderable, are improvable for our learning. For the scriptures were written, not for princes and statesmen, to instruct them in politics; but for all people, even the meanest, to direct them in their families and callings: yet some things are here recorded concerning Jacob, not for imitation, but for admonition.

Notes from Genesis 29

This chapter gives us an account of God's providences concerning Jacob, pursuant to the promises made to him in the foregoing chapter.

I. How he was brought in safety to his journey's end, and directed to his relations there, who bade him welcome (v. 1-14).
II. How he was comfortably disposed of in marriage (v. 15-30).
III. How his family was built up in the birth of four sons (v. 31-35). The affairs of princes and mighty nations that were then in being are not recorded in the book of God, but are left to be buried in oblivion; while these small domestic concerns of holy Jacob are particularly recorded with their minute circumstances, that they may be in everlasting remembrance. For "the memory of the just is blessed.'

Notes from Genesis 28

We have here,

I. Jacob parting with his parents, to go to Padanaram; the charge his father gave him (v. 1, 2), the blessing he sent him away with (v. 3, 4), his obedience to the orders given him (v. 5, 10), and the influence this had upon Esau (v. 6-9).
II. Jacob meeting with God, and his communion with him by the way. And there,
1. his vision of the ladder (v. 11, 12).
2. The gracious promises God made him (v. 13-15).
3. The impression this made upon him (v. 16-19).
4. The vow he made to God, upon this occasion (v. 20, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 27

In this chapter we return to the typical story of the struggle between Esau and Jacob. Esau had profanely sold the birthright to Jacob; but Esau hopes he shall be never the poorer, nor Jacob the richer, for that bargain, while he preserves his interest in his father's affections, and so secures the blessing. Here therefore we find how he was justly punished for his contempt of the birthright (of which he foolishly deprived himself) with the loss of the blessing, of which Jacob fraudulently deprives him. Thus this story is explained, Heb. 12:16, 17, "Because he sold the birthright, when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected.' For those that make light of the name and profession of religion, and throw them away for a trifle, thereby forfeit the powers and privileges of it. We have here,

I. Isaac's purpose to entail the blessing upon Esau (v. 1-5).
II. Rebekah's plot to procure it for Jacob (v. 6-17).
III. Jacob's successful management of the plot, and his obtaining the blessing (v. 18-29).
IV. Esau's resentment of this, in which,
1. His great importunity with his father to obtain a blessing (v. 30-40).
2. His great enmity to his brother for defrauding him of the first blessing (v. 41, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 26

In this chapter we have,

I. Isaac in adversity, by reason of a famine in the land, which,
1. Obliges him to change his quarters (v. 1). But,
2. God visits him with direction and comfort (v. 2-5).
3. He foolishly denies his wife, being in distress and is reproved for it by Abimelech (v. 6-11).
II. Isaac in prosperity, by the blessing of God upon him (v. 12-14). And,
1. The Philistines were envious at him (v. 14-17).
2. He continued industrious in his business (v. 18-23).
3. God appeared to him, and encouraged him, and he devoutly acknowledged God (v. 24, 25).
4. The Philistines, at length, made court to him, and made a covenant with him (v. 26-33).
5. The disagreeable marriage of his son Esau was an alloy to the comfort of his prosperity (v. 34, 35).

Notes from Genesis 25

The sacred historian, in this chapter,

I. Takes his leave of Abraham, with an account,

1. Of his children by another wife (v. 1-4).

2. Of his last will and testament (v. 5, 6).

3. Of his age, death, and burial (v. 7-10).

II. He takes his leave of Ishmael, with a short account,

1. Of his children (v. 12-16).

2. Of his age and death (v. 17, 18).

III. He enters upon the history of Isaac.

1. His prosperity (v. 11).

2. The conception and birth of his two sons, with the oracle of God concerning them (v. 19-26).

3. Their different characters (v. 27, 28).

4. Esau's selling his birthright to Jacob (v. 29-34).

Notes from Genesis 24

Marriages and funerals are the changes of families, and the common news among the inhabitants of the villages. In the foregoing chapter we had Abraham burying his wife, here we have him marrying his son. These stories concerning his family, with their minute circumstances, are largely related, while the histories of the kingdoms of the world then in being, with their revolutions, are buried in silence; for the Lord knows those that are his. The subjoining of Isaac's marriage to Sarah's funeral (with a particular reference to it, v. 67) shows us that as "one generation passes away another generation comes;' and thus the entail both of the human nature, and of the covenant, is preserved. Here is,

I. Abraham's care about the marrying of his son, and the charge he gave to his servant about it (v. 1-9).
II. His servant's journey into Abraham's country, to seek a wife for his young master among his own relations (v. 10-14).
III. The kind providence which brought him acquainted with Rebekah, whose father was Isaac's cousin-german (v. 15-28).
IV. The treaty of marriage with her relations (v. 29-49).
V. Their consent obtained (v. 50-60).
VI. The happy meeting and marriage between Isaac and Rebekah (v. 61, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 23

Here is,

I. Abraham a mourner for the death of Sarah (v. 1, 2).
II. Abraham a purchaser of a burying-place for Sarah.
1. The purchase humbly proposed by Abraham (v. 3, 4).
2. Fairly treated of, and agreed to, with a great deal of mutual civility and respect (v. 5-16).
3. The purchase-money paid (v. 16).
4. The premises conveyed and secured to Abraham (v. 17, 18, 20).
5. Sarah's funeral (v. 19).

Notes from Genesis 22

We have here the famous story of Abraham's offering up his son Isaac, that is, his offering to offer him, which is justly looked upon as one of the wonders of the church. Here is,

I. The strange command which God gave to Abraham concerning it (v. 1, 2).
II. Abraham's strange obedience to this command (v. 3-10)
III. The strange issue of this trial.
1. The sacrificing of Isaac was countermanded (v. 11, 12).
2. Another sacrifice was provided (v. 13, 14).
3. The covenant was renewed with Abraham hereupon (v. 15-19).
Lastly, an account of some of Abraham's relations (v. 20, etc.)

Notes from Genesis 21

In this chapter we have,

I. Isaac, the child of promise born into Abraham's family (v. 1-8).
II. Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, cast out of it (v. 9-21).
III. Abraham's league with his neighbour Abimelech (v. 22-32).
IV. His devotion to his God (v. 33).

Notes from Genesis 20

We are here returning to the story of Abraham; yet that part of it which is here recorded is not to his honour. The fairest marbles have their flaws, and, while there are spots in the sun, we must not expect any thing spotless under it. The scripture, it should be remarked, is impartial in relating the blemishes even of its most celebrated characters. We have here,

I. Abraham's sin in denying his wife, and Abimelech's sin thereupon in taking her (v. 1, 2).
II. God's discourse with Abimelech in a dream, upon this occasion, wherein he shows him his error (v. 3), accepts his plea (v. 4-6), and directs him to make restitution (v. 7).
III. Abimelech's discourse with Abraham, wherein he chides him for the cheat he had put upon him (v. 8-10), and Abraham excuses it as well as he can (v. 11-13).
IV. The good issue of the story, in which Abimelech restores Abraham his wife (v. 14-16), and Abraham, by prayer, prevails with God for the removal of the judgment Abimelech was under (v. 17, 18).

Notes from Genesis 19

The contents of this chapter we have, 2 Pt. 2:6-8, where we find that "God, turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, and delivered just Lot.' It is the history of Sodom's ruin, and Lot's rescue from that ruin. We read (ch. 18) of God's coming to take a view of the present state of Sodom, what its wickedness was, and what righteous persons there were in it: now here we have the result of that enquiry.

I. It was found, upon trial, that Lot was very good (v. 1-3), and it did not appear that there was any more of the same character.
II. It was found that the Sodomites were very wicked and vile (v. 4-11).
III. Special care was therefore taken for the securing of Lot and his family, in a place of safety (v. 12-23).
IV. Mercy having rejoiced therein, justice shows itself in the ruin of Sodom and the death of Lot's wife (v. 24-26), with a general repetition of the story (v. 27-29).
V. A foul sin that Lot was guilty of, in committing incest with his two daughters (v. 30, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 18

We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision. Here is,

I. The kind visit which God made him, and the kind entertainment which he gave to that visit (v. 1-8).
II. The matters discoursed of between them.
1. The purposes of God's love concerning Sarah (v. 9-15).
2. The purposes of God's wrath concerning Sodom.
(1.) The discovery God made to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom (v. 16-22).
(2.) The intercession Abraham made for Sodom (v. 23, etc.).

Notes from Genesis 17

This chapter contains articles of agreement covenanted and concluded upon between the great Jehovah, the Father of mercies, on the one part, and pious Abram, the father of the faithful, on the other part. Abram is therefore called "the friend of God,' not only because he was the man of his counsel, but because he was the man of his covenant; both these secrets were with him. Mention was made of this covenant (ch. 15:18), but here it is particularly drawn up, and put into the form of a covenant, that Abram might have strong consolation. Here are,

I. The circumstances of the making of this covenant, the time and manner (v. 1), and the posture Abram was in (v. 3).
II. The covenant itself. In the general scope of it (v. 1). And, afterwards, in the particular instances.
1. That he should be the father of many nations (v. 4, 6), and, in token of this, his name was changed (v. 5).
2. That God would be a God to him and his seed, and would give them the land of Canaan (v. 7, 8). And the seal of this part of the covenant was circumcision (v. 9-14).
3. That he should have a son by Sarai, and, in token thereof, her name was changed (v. 15, 16). This promise Abram received (v. 17). And his request for Ishmael (v. 18) was answered, abundantly to his satisfaction (v. 19-22).
III. The circumcision of Abram and his family, according to God's appointment (v. 23, etc.).