_What is your occupation?_ PHARAOH’S QUESTION TO THE BRETHREN OF JOSEPH I. Evidently implying THAT EACH OF US HAS, OR IS INTENDED TO HAVE, AN “OCCUPATION.” Now the word “occupation,” in its primary meaning, signifies “employment” or “business”; and the text leads us to infer that each individual am... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell_ THE BEST GIFTS OF GOD BESTOWED ON HIS PEOPLE 1. In the first place, GOD GIVETH THE BEST UNTO HIS TRUE ISRAEL. He gives them a land of rest, He gives them a land of safety, He gives them a land of abundance, and He giveth them the bes... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joseph brought in Jacob his father_ JOSEPH AND HIS FATHER I. JOSEPH HONOURED HIS FATHER JACOB BY SHOWING HIM THE UTMOST RESPECT (Genesis 46:29). II. JOSEPH HONOURED HIS FATHER BY SHOWING HIS LOVE FOR HIM. One of our martyr-Presidents never stood higher in the nation’s eyes than when he turne... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?_ OLD YEAR’S THEME: “HOW OLD ART THOU?" I. A COMMON QUESTION. II. A SOLEMN QUESTION. 1. It is the solemnity of memory. 2. It is the solemnity of responsibility. 3. The question ought to create a solemn gratitude. III. JACOB’S ANSWER. IV. HIS LIFE ME... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been_ A PENSIVE RETROSPECT I. LIFE HAS BEEN TO HIM A PILGRIMAGE. He thinks of all his wanderings from that far-off day when at Bethel he received... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread_ TYPES OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST I. WHO WAS THIS THAT FED HIS BRETHREN IN THE TIME OF DEARTH? Acts 7:11). Joseph, “separate from his brethren” (Genesis 49:26), “sold to be a bond servant” (Psalms 105:17), tri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the Land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house_ THE MORALITY OF JOSEPH’S ADMINISTRATION The significance of the transaction is obvious; it brought men back to first... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen_ THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN GOSHEN I. THEIR QUIET POSSESSION OF THE LAND. 1. They had the means and appliances of prosperity, 2. They enjoyed their freedom by a firm and honourable tenure. II. THEIR PROSPERITY, (_T. H. Leale._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt_ LESSONS - 1. Approaching death should make men put their houses in order, and prepare for the grave. 2. The best of sons are best trusted with the interring of parents. 3. Favour, benevolence, and fidelity dying parents may beg of surviving children. 4. Par... [ Continue Reading ]