Reuben returned
Lessons
1.
Under the wise providence of God, helpers may come too late to so save oppressed.
2. Creatures as they intend, so may they do their utmost to save, when God will not have it so.
3. The pit, under God’s disposal, giveth up to sale, when it is intended unto freedom.
4. Nature is apt to be passionate to rending cloths upon disappointments (Genesis 37:29).
5. Brotherly affection disappointed, though not true, will make one fall upon disappointers with indignation.
6. Passiom may make men judge that not to be, which is, and so may make mourners.
7. Natural affection may put men to their wits’ end upon disappointments, and fears of worse events (Genesis 37:30). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Hypocrisy may admit trouble in some evil, but conspires wilfully to do other. Reuben with them.
2. The coat of innocency may be made a cloak to cover cruelty.
3. Cruelty makes use of policy to hide itself from discovery. Kid’s blood for man’s.
4. Sinners’ subtlety sometimes to put it off from themselves, makes evil worse than it is. Blood without blood (Genesis 37:31.)
5. Beastly acting sinners use, to turn over their sins to beasts (so if the word be striking through).
6. The guilty have their harbingers, to conceal sin more cunningly.
7. Sin makes men shameless to bring the tokens of their wickedness to plead for them.
8. Sellers of brethren make not much to do that, which may kill their fathers.
9. Sinners use to make their refuge in lies, and so add sin to sin.
10. Impudent sinners, though they be conscious, yet make things doubtful unto others (Genesis 37:32).
11. Good men may be deceived by sinners, upon that which they know.
12. Gracious souls may be too credulous toward the wicked, who speaks falsely to them.
13. Over much credulity makes men receive that which afterwards they find false (Genesis 37:33). (G. Hughes, B. D.)