See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us
The false charge against Joseph
I. THE BOLDNESS OF IT.
II. THE MALIGNITY OF IT. The vengeance of disappointed passion.
III. THE ART AND CUNNING OF IT.
IV. THE LESSONS OF THIS HISTORY.
1. That impurity and falsehood are closely allied.
2. That God’s saints should be patient under false accusations.
3. That we should do the thing that is right in utter disregard of all evil consequences to ourselves. (T. H. Leale.)
Lessons
1. Disappointments of lust occasion it to rage, and turn it into madness.
2. Innocency’s flight from sin may occasion its misery.
3. Sight of lust defeated by chastity stirs up the wicked to accuse the righteous (Genesis 39:13). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The delicate and problematical character of circumstantial proof
There are not a few cases, in which it is the only description of evidence which can at all be had; and sometimes it is of such a nature as to carry as full conviction to the mind as the most direct and satisfactory testimony. This was not, indeed, the case in the instance before us: for it would not be difficult to institute widely different processes of hypothetical argument on the simple fact of the mantle having been left in her possession. There are cases, however, in which it is almost irresistibly conclusive. And yet true it is that there have been instances in which sentence has been passed on the ground of circumstantial evidence such has, at the time, appeared clear beyond controversy, and has carried the fullest conviction to counsel, and jury, and judge--in which, notwithstanding, the innocence of the party condemned has subsequently been brought unexpectedly and strangely to light. All that can be said, therefore, is that while it is a species of proof which it is impossible to discard, and which it would be the height of absurdity to speak of discarding, yet it is one which ought to be investigated with the utmost caution and minuteness, and all delay possible afforded for subjecting it to the test of time--so long as there seems any likelihood of new circumstances coming to light, or of any conscience which fear may be holding in its bonds, and by this means sealing the lips, relenting and disclosing. And wherever there is room for the slightest doubt, the benefit of it should be given to the accused. (R. Wardlaw, D. D)
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