During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. Sermons
I. CONSIDER THE POLICY OF THIS EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER. Many things we admire in Joseph, but we must not be blind to the fact that he thought more of binding the people to the throne than of benefiting the people themselves. He was the first statesman of that day. His policy determined in great measure what should be the standard of internal prosperity, and what position the country should hold in the eyes of other nations. He sought to make Pharaoh's rule absolute. He gave no benefit without payment, no supplies without sacrifice. He took all the money first (Genesis 47:14), then the cattle (ibid. ver. 16), then the lands and their persons (ibid. ver. 23). He thus reduced the people of Egypt to the position of slaves. He made all the land crown lands. Thus the monarch was pleased, and the priests, being exempt, were flattered. It is possible that in this Joseph laid the foundation of that system of mismanagement, which has made the most flourishing spot in the world the basest of kingdoms. He seems also to have striven to give some sort of preeminence to his brethren, and to advance them. Exempt from the burdens pressing on others, they gained power, and would have become eventually the dominant race in Egypt, but that another Pharaoh arose who knew not Joseph, i.e. who, although he knew of his having lived and served the nation, yet recognized not his policy. The state to which Joseph reduced the Egyptians was that to which afterwards his own descendants were reduced. Thus our plans are overthrown. Time tries success, and by removing dimness from our vision enables us to test it better. II. CONSIDER THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THIS EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER, He was soon led to conform to the spirit and practice of an ungodly nation. He used a divining cup (Genesis 44:15, 16), took his meals apart (Genesis 43:32), recognizing and sustaining class distinctions. He learned the mode of speech common among the Egyptians, swore by the life of Pharaoh (Genesis 42:15), and was affianced to an idolatress, probably a priestess (Genesis 41:45). He made no effort to return to his own land, or to the pastoral life of his fathers. It was in his power also for nine years to have sent to make search for his father, who was sorrowing for him as dead, but he sent not. Not until trouble, by an apparent chance, drove his brethren to him did he appear to think of them, or of home and Jacob. When they came he was very slow to make known himself, as though he feared it might compromise him in the eyes of the Egyptians to be known to have relatives who were shepherds, an occupation which was abominable to the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). When he revealed himself to them, it was without the knowledge or presence of the Egyptians. He removed his brethren also to a distant part of Egypt: that they might not constantly, by their presence, remind him and others of his origin. We fancy that Joseph had weaknesses and imperfections such as other men had. He had dwelt in Egypt and caught its spirit. In the names he gave to his children there seems some indication of regret at his forgetfulness and wonder at his fruitfulness. Amid views that might depress there is some brightness. His forgiveness of his brethren was noble. His affection for his father returned. His faith in God was pure at last. Dying, he "gave commandment concerning his bones." He showed that though outwardly an Egyptian, he was inwardly an Israelite. - H.
And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. I. THE RIPENESS OF HIS AGE AND EXPERIENCE. Providence, which prepares events, also prepares men for them.II. THE PRACTICAL CHARACTER OF HIS MIND. Not puffed up by pride. At once betakes himself to business. III. THE CHEERFUL AND HOPEFUL CHARACTER OF HIS PIETY (vers. 51, 52). 1. He desires to forget all that is evil in the past. 2. He is thankful for present mercies. (T. H. Leale.) American Sunday School Times. 1. "Joseph went out over the land of Egypt."(1) (2) (3) 2. The earth brought forth by handfuls." (1) (2) (3) (4) 3. "Laid up the food in the cities." (1) (2) (3) (4) (American Sunday School Times.) 1. In his superintending the work personally. 2. In his sparing no trouble in the execution of the work. 3. In the regard he paid to justice. II. THAT HE MANIFESTED GREAT WISDOM IN THE EXECUTION OF THE WORK, 1. Inasmuch as he commenced it without delay. 2. Inasmuch as he persevered to the end. 3. Inasmuch as his arrangements answered the best purpose. III. THE SUCCESSFUL ISSUE OF THE UNDERTAKING. 1. It conferred incalculable benefits on his fellow-creatures. 2. He gained the approbation of the king. (J. Jones.) What a busy scene must the valley of the Nile have presented at the time of harvest! Multitudes would be engaged, in the very first year of plenty, under Joseph's direction, in gathering in the abundant crops, and in storing such of the produce of the country as was not required for immediate consumption. The process of cutting the corn, and depositing it in granaries, is exhibited on the monuments. "Wheat," says Wilkinson, "was cut in five, barley in four months. The wheat, as at the present day, was bearded, and the same varieties, doubtless, existed in ancient as in modern times; among which may be mentioned the seven-eared quality mentioned in Pharaoh's dream. It was cropped a little below the ear with a toothed sickle, and carried to the threshing floor in wicker baskets upon asses, or in rope nets, the gleaners following to collect the fallen ears in hand baskets." It was threshed out by oxen, the peasants who superintended them relieving their toil by singing songs, one of which Champollion found in a tomb at Eilethya, written in hieroglyphics, to the following effect:"Thresh for yourselves, Thresh for yourselves; O oxen, thresh for yourselves, O oxen, thresh for yourselves; Measure for yourselves, Measure for your masters." The granaries are likewise frequently represented on the monuments. They appear to have been public buildings, usually of vast extent, and divided into vaults, some of which had arched roofs. Immediately at the entrance was a room in which the corn was deposited when brought from the threshing floor, h flight of Steps led to the vault, whither it was carried, in baskets, on men's shoulders. (Thornley Smith.) People Asenath, Egyptians, Joseph, Manasseh, Pharaoh, Potipherah, ZaphnathpaaneahPlaces Egypt, Nile River, OnTopics Abundance, Abundantly, During, Forth, Fruit, Handfulls, Handfuls, Heaps, Maketh, Masses, Plenteous, Plentifully, Plenty, Produced, SevenOutline 1. Pharaoh has two dreams.9. Joseph interprets them. 33. He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married. 46. The seven years of plenty. 50. He begets children. 53. The famine begins. Dictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 41:1-49Library The Covenant of WorksQ-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation Man's Chief End The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt Second Great Group of Parables. The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It. Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud Genesis Links Genesis 41:47 NIVGenesis 41:47 NLT Genesis 41:47 ESV Genesis 41:47 NASB Genesis 41:47 KJV Genesis 41:47 Bible Apps Genesis 41:47 Parallel Genesis 41:47 Biblia Paralela Genesis 41:47 Chinese Bible Genesis 41:47 French Bible Genesis 41:47 German Bible Genesis 41:47 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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