Thus saith thy son Joseph
Lessons
1.
Providence may order traitors to be messengers of better news than they intended.
2. Gracious children are speedy to take off grief from their parents’ hearts.
3. God orders those events of mercy to be declared unto His, which they sometimes would not believe.
4. Joseph’s spirit owneth his afflicted father in all his own glory.
5. Joseph’s heart ascribes all his glory unto God only.
6. Joseph contents not himself to be in plenty and glory, but to have his father with him (Genesis 45:9).
7. Certain and fertile habitations are human motives to draw from barren places.
8. Nearness to dearest relations may persuade to change habitations (Genesis 45:10).
9. Alimony is a duty of children to parents in straights.
10. Assurance of nourishment may well draw from places where bread is wanting.
11. God’s continuance of famine should move souls to follow His providence for food.
12. It is beseeming God’s servants to provide under Him against impoverishing of their families. So Joseph (Genesis 45:11).
13. Eyewitnesses and they dear ones of God’s gracious events, should persuade good souls to believe them (verse 121.
14. Gracious souls may urge their dignity to help the distressed, but not in vain glory.
15. Grace makes nature speedy in the execution of its duty.
16. Gracious children desire earnestly their parents with them in their fulness (Genesis 45:13). (G. Hughes, B. D.)