CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 45:20. Regard not your stuff.] Houses, or pieces of furniture which must be left behind. The word is literally your utensils, articles of household use.—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 45:16-20
PHARAOH’S INVITATION TO JACOB AND HIS SONS
Pharaoh invites Joseph’s brethren and their father to dwell in his land. (Genesis 45:17-20.)
I. This speaks well as to his delicate consideration for Joseph. He had reposed full confidence in Joseph, leaving to him the management of all his affairs. Joseph had already given orders that his father should be brought down to Egypt. (Genesis 45:13.) He knew also that he was admitted so far into the confidence of his master that he could take this liberty. But Pharaoh, with great delicacy, wishes to spare Joseph’s feelings in having to invite his own relations, as it were, to another man’s house.
II. This shows the value he set upon Joseph. His invitation is accompanied with more liberal offers than those of his trusted servant. Joseph only desired them to bring all the property they had; but Pharaoh bids them disregard their household goods, as he himself would make for them an abundant and sufficient provision. (Genesis 45:10-20.) The “good of all the land of Egypt” was theirs. Pharaoh will even have them brought to Egypt with all possible speed and comfort. He gives orders for waggons to fetch them. They could only have this favour by royal command, for it was strictly forbidden that waggons should be taken out of Egypt. His great liberality towards this family tells us how high Joseph was in his esteem. He wanted to express the gratitude of the nation to so great a benefactor.
III. This teaches us how great is the influence of character. Joseph’s character had made a strong impression upon his master. We often say hard things concerning the ingratitude of human nature; but, after all, there is much gratitude yet to be found, even in this heartless world. Pharaoh had found Joseph faithful in all things, and, therefore, honoured and esteemed him. Such influence could not be gained by exalted position, or by mere authority, nor could it be commanded and enforced by law. It can only arise in consequence of that law of the human heart by which love begets love.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 45:16. They highly esteemed Joseph on his own account; and that he should prove to be a member of a respectable family, and have the pleasure of again meeting with his nearest relatives, were circumstances that afforded them a real gratification.—(Murphy)
The servants of princes are seldom disposed to look kindly upon those that are raised above themselves, especially if foreigners. Joseph’s merits, indeed, were such that they could not but be universally acknowledged; yet the spirit which is in man lusteth so strongly to envy, that Joseph’s continued good standing in the court of Pharaoh must be considered as a singularly good testimony to the wisdom and blamelessness of his deportment to all around him.—(Bush).
Genesis 45:17. Pharaoh is good to Jacob and his house, for Joseph’s sake; so is God to us and ours, for Jesu’s sake.—(Trapp).
Genesis 45:18. So saith Christ, “Come unto me, and ye shall find rest to your souls” (Matthew 11:28). Say you meet with some trouble by the way, as haply Jacob had foul weather ere he came down to Egypt. What is a drop of vinegar put into an ocean of wine? No country hath more venemous creatures than Egypt, none more antidotes. So godliness, saith one, hath many troubles, and as many helps against trouble.—(Trapp).
Genesis 45:19. This was a mode of travelling to which Jacob had been but little used. As at that day, so at the present, wheel carriages are almost wholly unknown in the country of Palestine.—(Bush).
Christ will send His waggons for us, His cherubins, and clouds to fetch us up to heaven at the last day (1 Thessalonians 4:15), as they did Moses and Elias (Matthew 17:3). This David foresaw, and therefore envied not the pomp and state of those men of God’s hand, that are whirled here up and down in waggons and chariots, etc. (Psalms 17:14-15).—(Trapp).
Genesis 45:20. Why should those who have all the riches of the better country before them give themselves any disquiet about the perishing things that belong to the earthly house of this tabernacle? The heirs of heaven are rich in the midst of poverty; although they have nothing, they possess all things. Never let them give less credit to the promises of their heavenly Father than Jacob’s son gave to the King of Egypt.—(Bush).
Alexander, hearing of the riches of the Indies, divided his kingdom of Macedon among his captains and soldiers. And being asked what he had left for himself, he answered, Hope. And should not the hope of heaven make us slight all earthly vanities? (Hebrews 11:1).—(Trapp).
The family of Jacob thus came to Egypt, not by conquest or purchase, but by hospitable invitation, as free, independent visitors or settlers. As they were free to come or not, so were they free to stay or leave.—(Murphy).