CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 45:21. Joseph gave them waggons.] Two-wheeled cars, fit for driving over a rough country, where roads were not found. Wheeled vehicles are scarcely seen in Palestine.—
Genesis 45:24. See that ye fall not out by the way.] Some maintain that the sense is, “Be not afraid.” They were not to be in dread lest any after-plot of his should bring them back again. The Heb. word means, to be stirred by any passion, whether of fear or anger; and is interpreted in the sense of quarrelling, or falling out, in Proverbs 29:9; Isaiah 28:21. The word is so rendered here, and it best suits the sense. Onkelos gives to it the same signification, “Do not contend.”—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 45:21-24
JOSEPH EQUIPS HIS BRETHREN FOR THEIR JOURNEY
His bounty towards them was most liberal. They are supplied not only with necessaries, but even with luxuries, and furnished in a style calculated to make an impression upon spectators. The richness and splendour of this outfit was worthy of a brother raised to such high eminence in a great nation. But the whole of this incident brings out these two things especially:—
I. His respect and honour for his father. This is seen:—
1. In the portion he gave to Benjamin. He was furnished more liberally than the rest, distinctly marked out as a peculiar object of favour. (Genesis 45:22.) This would touch the heart of the doting father.
2. In the portion he sent to his father. (Genesis 45:23). He could not fetch him himself, but he sends him the richest presents of Egypt. In this way he expressed his peculiar affection for his father. The old man would need the strongest proof of the reality of those strange things he was about to hear, and the style in which his sons were sent to him from Egypt would naturally make a strong impression upon him.
II. His shrewd wisdom. Another point brought out in this incident. Joseph charged his brethren, as they were leaving, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” (Genesis 45:24.) This advice was founded upon deep wisdom, and showed great knowledge of human nature in the man who gave it. Joseph had heard already from Reuben some severe reflections upon his brethren. (Genesis 42:22.) He might well suppose that they would repeat these things when they were alone. Reuben might have told them how different the result would have been had they taken his advice. Each one would have his cause of quarrel. The unexpected prosperity into which they had fallen would only have served to arouse old feelings of enmity. But they were now restrained by Joseph’s sober and timely advice. It is sad to think how that through the fault of human nature, even the manifestations of God’s goodness towards us may be made the occasion of wrangling and angry strife. Even when the Gospel message was first announced to the world, men soon began to quarrel with each other. The very terms of salvation were disputed. Men were not content to receive the truth as it was told them, but they must make it the subject of endless and fruitless controversy. Let us be satisfied with the bountiful provision God makes for us by the way, spending our energy in praising Him, and refusing to waste it in the mean warfare of human strifes.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 45:21. Provision for the way. So doth God give all His; meat that the world knows not of; joy that the natural heart never tasted; the white stone; the hidden manna; the continual feast; the foretaste of eternal life, to hold up their hearts till they come home to heaven. On the cates of a good conscience, he goes on feeding as Samson did on his honeycomb, till he came to his parents; as Joseph’s brethren here did on their venison, till they came to their father Jacob.—(Trapp.)
Genesis 45:22. As the fashion of clothes never changes in the East as with us, they do not become useless as long as they last. Joseph virtually published to his brethren the superior regard which he entertained for Benjamin as the son of his mother, as well as of his father. He showed his confidence in their good dispositions towards Benjamin.—(Bush.)
Genesis 45:23. It was, no doubt, a pleasure to Jacob to partake of the fruits of the attention and kindness of his long-lost Joseph. Yet we may safely suppose he derived more pleasure from Joseph’s goodness to his brethren than from the presents sent to himself. He had no reason to doubt of Joseph’s warm, filial affection, but it would fill him with unspeakable joy to find his son exhibiting the highest pattern of meekness and of the forgiveness of injuries that the world had ever yet beheld.—(Bush.)
Genesis 45:24. On the journey to eternity we must not become angry, either with our companions, or with God. Christians, as brethren, ought not to quarrel with each other on the way of life.—(Lange.)
Joseph’s brethren send him naked to strangers, he sends them in new and rich liveries to their father; they took a small sum of money for him, he gives them great treasures; they sent his torn coat to his father, he sends variety of costly raiments to his father by them; they sold him to be the lead of camels, he sends them home with chariots. It must be a great favour, that can appease the consciousness of a great injury.—(Bp. Hall.)