Genesis:42

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* Verse 1-6 - Jacob saw the corn his neighbours had bought in Egypt , and brought home . It is a spur to exertion to see others supplied . Shall others get food for their souls , and shall we starve while it is to be had ? Having discovered where help is to be had , we should apply for it without delay , without shrinking from labour , or grudging expense , especially as regards our never-dying souls . There is provision in Christ ; but we must come to him , and seek it from him . * Verse 7-20 - Joseph was hard upon his brethren , not from a spirit of revenge , but to bring them to repentance . Not seeing his brother Benjamin , he suspected that they had made away with him , and he gave them occasion to speak of their father and brother . God , in his providence , sometimes seems harsh with those he loves , and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he has great mercy in store . Joseph settled at last , that one of them should be left , and the rest go home and fetch Benjamin . It was a very encouraging word he said to them , "I fear God ;" as if he had said , You may be assured I will do you no wrong ; I dare not , for I know there is one higher than I . With those that fear God , we may expect fair dealing . * Verse 21-24 - The office of conscience is to bring to mind things long since said and done . When the guilt of this sin of Joseph 's brethren was fresh , they made light of it , and sat down to eat bread ; but now , long afterward , their consciences accused them of it . See the good of afflictions ; they often prove the happy means of awakening conscience , and bringing sin to our remembrance . Also , the evil of guilt as to our brethren . Conscience now reproached them for it . Whenever we think we have wrong done us , we ought to remember the wrong we have done to others . Reuben alone remembered with comfort , that he had done what he could to prevent the mischief . When we share with others in their sufferings , it will be a comfort if we have the testimony of our consciences for us , that we did not share in their evil deeds , but in our places witnessed against them . Joseph retired to weep . Though his reason directed that he should still carry himself as a stranger , because they were not as yet humbled enough , yet natural affection could not but work . * Verse 25-28 - The brethren came for corn , and corn they had : not only so , but every man had his money given back . Thus Christ , like Joseph , gives out supplies without money and without price . The poorest are invited to buy . But guilty consciences are apt to take good providences in a bad sense ; to put wrong meanings even upon things that make for them . * Verse 29-38 - Here is the report Jacob 's sons made to their father . It troubled the good man . Even the bundles of money Joseph returned , in kindness , to his father , frightened him . He laid the fault upon his sons ; knowing them , he feared they had provoked the Egyptians , and wrongfully brought home their money . Jacob plainly distrusted his sons , remembering that he never saw Joseph since he had been with them . It is bad with a family , when children behave so ill that their parents know not how to trust them . Jacob gives up Joseph for gone , and Simeon and Benjamin as in danger ; and concludes , All these things are against me . It proved otherwise , that all these things were for him , were working together for his good , and the good of his family . We often think that to be against us , which is really for us . We are afflicted in body , estate , name , and in our relations ; and think all these things are against us , whereas they are really working for us a weight of glory . Thus does the Lord Jesus conceal himself and his favour , thus he rebukes and chastens those for whom he has purposes of love . By sharp corrections and humbling convictions he will break the stoutness and mar the pride of the heart , and bring to true repentance . Yet before sinners fully know him , or taste that he is gracious , he consults their good , and sustains their souls , to wait for him . May we do thus , never yielding to discouragement , determining to seek no other refuge , and humbling ourselves more and more under his mighty hand . In due time he will answer our petitions , and do for us more than we can expect . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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