CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 45:26. And Jacob’s heart fainted.] “Fainted is perhaps literally, remained cold.” He had too much experience of deceit to believe easily a strange tale like this. (Alford.)
Genesis 45:27. The spirit of Jacob their father revived.] “Warmth and life returned to his spirit.” (Alford.)
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 45:25-28
THE JOYFUL NEWS TOLD TO JACOB
I. It is, at first, received with incredulity. He is told that Joseph lives, that he is governor of Egypt, and that he himself is summoned to go down thither. These were astonishing tidings. They were as a voice and an appearance from the grave. We do not wonder at their effect upon the physical frame of the aged man. There was a chill at his heart, the news overcame him, yet he received it with incredulity. The very thought of such prosperity, so vividly presented to his mind, would, of itself, powerfully affect his feelings. But he did not believe that all this could be true. There are two kinds of unbelief. One arises from moral perversity. A man refuses to believe because he hates the truth, and loves darkness rather than light. He refuses to see the truth, because he is content with his own lie and desires not goodness. He says, “Evil, be thou my good.” But another source of unbelief is, when the news seems too good to be true. There is a disposition to believe, and even a desire; but the greatness of that which is offered to faith is too much for it. This kind of unbelief does not denote a bad heart, though it may be an evidence of weakness. The Apostle, St. Thomas, could not believe, though he witnessed the joy of those who did. He required to see facts, such outward proofs and evidence which would be powerful enough to convince himself. The very greatness of the things to be believed by us is one of the difficulties of our faith.
II. It is afterwards accepted upon outward evidence. Jacob, at first, gave no credit to the tidings brought to him by his sons. But when he saw the waggons he believed. (Genesis 45:27-28.) It is sad to think that he should believe the waggons more than the word of his sons. But this is true to human nature. A favourable fact comes to the aid of hesitating belief. We can steady our minds upon it. Hence it is that the outward evidences of Christianity are so valuable for the mass of mankind. They produce conviction when other modes of reasoning fail. They make a vivid impression upon the ordinary mind. It is a nobler kind of faith when we can trust God out of sight, when we can believe in Himself as He is made known to our souls, when we have that within us which admires and loves the truth upon our first beholding it, when we are captivated and conquered by its heavenly beauty.
III. It enabled Jacob to vindicate his old character. He was Israel,—a prince prevailing with both God and men. He had nobly won that character, and maintained it; but for many years past he had no opportunity to distinguish himself therein. Now his old character is revived. He appears, again, as Israel.
1. His faith triumphs. As it has done so oft before. He now believes. He is satisfied. “And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive.” (Genesis 45:28.)
2. His dark destiny is now about to be cleared up. The grief of twenty-two sad and sorrowful years is ended, and the meaning of his life is now, at length, to be rendered clear. The purpose of God is accomplished, and it is full of mercy and goodness to his servant. The soul is satisfied with the loving-kindness of the Lord, when faith is allowed to see and enjoy its victory.
3. He anticipates his peaceful end. “Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” (Genesis 45:28.) He is satisfied now that he shall see his beloved son restored to him, and in great prosperity. He can now look forward to the happy end of his pilgrimage. He had now no more wishes left unsatisfied on this side of the grave. Let him see Joseph, and that is enough. Then, like Simeon, when his eyes have seen God’s salvation, he can depart in peace.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 45:25-26. Jacob had doubtless been looking and longing for their return, and that with many fears and misgivings of mind. If the matter was announced as suddenly as it is here related, it is not surprising that “Jacob’s heart fainted, and he believed them not.” The suddenness of the transition would produce an effect like that of fire and water coming in contact. Perhaps, too, we may partly account for this incredulity from the aptness there is in a dejected mind to believe what is against him, rather than what is for him. When they brought him the bloody garment he readily believed, saying, Joseph no doubt is torn in pieces! But when good news is told him, it seems too good to be true.—(Fuller).
He believed them not. They had told him a tale before; and he that once hath cracked his credit is hardly, after, believed. Besides, he thought the news was too good to be true. The joy of heaven is so great that we must “enter into it;” it cannot enter into us. (Matthew 25:21).—(Trapp).
Genesis 45:27. When we see the history of redemption, the progress of Christianity, the means of grace, our confidence in God’s gracious intent is strengthened. When the Christian at last sees the provision made for his departure, the Intercessor gone before, the mansion prepared, the escort of angels, the welcome home, he receives dying grace, and often is most cheered and comforted in death.—(Jacobus).
Genesis 45:28. Nothing is said of his reception of the gifts, nor is it intimated that he was particularly affected by the report of his son’s glory in Egypt; it was enough for him that he was alive. Though the sight of Benjamin, an hour before this time, would have appeared to him a sufficient happiness for this world, yet now he enjoys not only that, but cherishes the hope of seeing and embracing once more the son whose loss he had mourned year after year in bitterness of soul.—(Bush).
It is enough! The assurance of a living Lord and Saviour is soul-satisfying. We want to go and see Him. (Philippians 1:23).