6 And thy issue which thou begettest || after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. 7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan, in the way: when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath, the same is Beth-lehem. 8 ¶ And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? This he spake by the Spirit of prophecy.-Considering Joseph's rank and prospects in Egypt, a carnal mind would have regarded this remote inheritance, with the rest of Jacob's sons, as a very inconsiderable matter. But it does not appear that Joseph either purchased estates, or amassed wealth in Egypt, for his sons; and this, not only because he was disinterested, but because he was a believer, and was unwilling to attach his children to Egypt; desiring, on the contrary, to lead their thoughts to Canaan, and to the inheritance of the children of Israel, as their proper portion. Jacob also wished them to consider, that to be numbered with his sons, who was the heir of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, and who had been named Israel, because he prevailed with God, and would certainly prevail with man, was far more honorable and desirable, than to be the richest of raoh's courtiers. Probably, this led them to unite interests with the Israelites, and to adhere to the worship of God, in preference to the Egyptians and their superstitions, with which, in their station, they were peculiarly in danger of being infected.-Reuben and Simeon were the two eldest sons of Jacob. 11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face; and lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. 12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephra im in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and " laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the first-born. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which a fed me all my life long unto this day, $ 37:33. 42:36. 45:26. | x 19. sighted, that he could not certainly tell who they were (10). V. 9. "Whom God hath given me, in this place," whither I was sold as a slave, where I was long imprisoned, and where I have received so many mercies.-The piety of this language should not pass unnoticed. V. 12. He bowed, &c.] Joseph thus shewed, that his external greatness did not render him forgetful of the respect due to his father, or of the veneration to which his age and piety entitled him; and evinced the high value which he put upon the adoption of his children, to be partakers of the promised blessings. ... V. 14. Though Manasseh was the first-born, and Jacob knew it; yet under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he by this token gave Ephraim the preference.-'God was wont from the bePha-ginning to prefer the younger to shew that divine benefits were not confined to the order of nature, but dispensed freely, according to 'God's most wise goodness.' Theodoret.-Laying on of hands is here first mentioned in Scripture. (Marg. Ref.) V. 6. It does not appear, that Joseph had any other children; but, according to this limitation, if he should have, they must be incorporated with the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. V. 15. Jacob first blessed Joseph, and then his sons; or he blessed Joseph in blessing his sons.- -Abraham and Isaac walked before God, by habitually through faith, maintaining communion with him in his ordinances, devoting themselves to his service, acting as under his V. 7. The manner, in which this is introduc-eye, depending on his protection, and rejoicing ed, intimates how much Jacob laid that stroke in his loving kindness and mercy. (Note, 5:21 to heart. He seemed still to feel the anguish -24.)-Jacob had often been in outward straits, of it, and to assign it as a reason of his peculiar attachment to Rachel's posterity. This tender || mention to Joseph of his beloved parent must have been peculiarly affecting. The circumstance of Rachel's dying in child-birth, while on a journey, explained the reason, why she was not buried in the cave of Machpelah, where Jacob desired to be buried with the rest of his family; and it was introduced no doubt for that purpose. V. 8. Jacob could discern that two persons besides Joseph were present; but he was so dim and especially with his numerous posterity had been in great distress by famine; but God had always provided for him, and had sent Joseph before-hand to make preparation for him in Egypt. There God had fed him seventeen years in his infirm old age by Joseph, just as long as he had fed Joseph by Jacob's hand in his infancy and youth; thus enabling tue son to requite his parent.-This divine interposition was therefore very properly introduced: and as Jacob had been fed, he did not complain, though he had not been enriched, but greatly impoverished. [173 18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the first-born; put thy right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, b 16:7-13. 28:15. 31:11-13, e Matt. 6:13. John 17:15. Rom. 22. e Ex. 1:7. Num. 26:28-37. Heb. was evil in his eyes. 28: 16:25. f 19:18. Ex. 10:11. Matt. 25:9. g 27:15. 29:26. 43:33. 49:3. of Hamor: but probably after the slaughter of the Shechemites, the Amorites seized upon it; and afterwards he recovered it by force of arms, in a way, and at a time, of which we are not informed. Though it does not appear that he or his sons, at this time or long after, had any advantage from it; yet in faith he bequeathed it to Joseph, as an accession to the portion which would be assigned by lot to his posterity, when put in possession of Canaan.-Here Joseph's bones were at length deposited. (Josh. 24:32.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-8. V. 16. Jacob here called "God, before whom Abraham and Isaac had walked," and who had "fed him all his life long," "the Angel." As God does not give his glory to the creatures, we may be sure that such things were not spoken of a created angel. This is one proof therefore among many, that he, who is by Malachi called "the Messenger," or Angel, "of the Covenant," even Jesus Christ, was known by the Patriarchs to be distinct from the Father, yet One with him; and that as such he manifested himself to them, and was worshipped by them. (Notes, 32: 30. Hos. 12:3-6.) The deliverances from misery and danger of sinful men, who believe in him, according to his word, by the interposition The death-beds of eminent believers often of God, coming through the ransom of the afford most instructive lessons. "This is the blood of Christ, are frequently in Scripture end of all men, and the living will lay it to entitled redemptions. Jacob, now closing his heart;" and such scenes, with the prayers and eyes in death, joyfully considered himself as || counsels of dying persons, are so suited to make "redeemed from all evil;" and therefore expect- serious impressions on the young, the gay, and ed henceforth good, and nothing but good.-He the prosperous, that we do well in taking our prayed for his grandsons, that they might stand children with us on these occasions, when it can in the place, inherit the privileges, and walk in be done with propriety.-It is very desirable, if the steps, of their progenitors; but especially, the Lord please, to bear our dying testimony to that his new name, ISRAEL, "might be named on the truths of God, to his faithfulness, and to the them." (Rev. 2:17. 3:12.) This would be a pleasantness of his ways. One would wish to NAME of nobler import than any which Egypt be strengthened at such a solemn season, to rencould afford. der our last service to our survivors; and we should have regard to this in our whole conduct, that we may so live as to give energy and weight to our dying exhortations: yet, after all, the Spirit dispenseth in this matter severally, as he willeth. Abraham and Isaac died in faith and in peace, yet we have no record of their dying testimony; but Jacob spoke with great copiousness and energy. All true believers are blessed at their death; but all do not depart equally full of spiritual consolation, nor are all alike edifying to the spectators.-The joint inheritance of the promised blessing with the true Israel of God, let who will despise it, is infinitely preferable to the sole inheritance of all the kingdoms of the world: and the best expression of particular affection for our children and relatives consists in recommending to them our God and our religion; and in seeking for them his grace by earnest prayers, that they may be V. 17-20. Joseph was not satisfied with his father's conduct; supposing that he was influenced by a groundless partiality, and not by the guidance of the prophetic Spirit.-The preeminence belonged to Manasseh by general custom, and thus it was afterwards commanded in the law: yet in many parts of Scripture we have instances of the younger being preferred to the elder. The law teaches us what is just and proper for us to do; but a sovereign God, in conferring unmerited favor, claims an indisputa ble right of "doing what he will with his own." He however, always exercises it in perfect equity, faithfulness, and wisdom.-Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph in faith, and in consequence of an immediate revelation; and the prediction was fully accomplished in their subsequent history. (Note, 49:22-26.) V. 22. Jacob first bought this piece of ground his adopted children and heirs, according to the poor then are they, who have no other riches! promise. Though we cannot bless them in Ja- and how miserable is a death-bed to those, who cob's Spirit of prophecy, yet we may with his have no well-grounded hope of good, but dreadspirit of faith; and humbly hope that our pray-ful apprehensions of evil, and nothing but evil ers for them will be answered, and our exhortations followed, even after we are dead. But alas! too many parents, who profess themselves Christians, act in direct opposition to the example of Joseph, by anxiously and covetously, if not dishonestly, heaping up wealth for their children; as if they meant to teach them to forget the promised land, or to prefer a plenteous portion of this present world!" V. 9-22. for ever! Let us then fear being put off with a portion in this world, or with a hypocritical religion and a presumptuous hope, which will at last leave us in despair. Rather, whatever we lose or go without, let us "choose that good part, which shall never be taken from us;" and then poverty, pain, reproach, and death itself, will be as so many favorable gales, to waft us to the haven of eternal bliss. NOTES. There is nothing more comfortable to the dying believer himself, or more edifying and af- CHAP. XLIX. V. 1, 2. All Jacob's sons were fecting to those around him, than to reflect upon still living; and now at his command they coland speak of the promises of God, and his ex- lected round his bed, perhaps with their chilperience of their faithful accomplishment; to be dren, to hear his dying words. The repetition mindful of his Bethels and Peniels, and to ac- of this call might intimate his desire, that they knowledge that, notwithstanding his trials and should keep together, and live in harmony as troubles, all hath been done wisely and gra- one family, without intermingling with the ciously. In this view, even temporal mercies Egyptians.-This dying address to them should and deliverances, yea, our daily bread, when not at all be considered as the expression of his considered as the gift of the great "Angel of the private affection, or resentment, or partiality; covenant," the purchase of his redemption, and but as the language of the Holy Spirit, declarearnests of better things reserved for us, become ing the purpose of Gol, respecting the characmost precious blessings. And when a dying ter, circumstances, and situation of the several man can consider himself with confidence as tribes descended from them, in the last times, "redeemed from all evil;" as pardoned and sanc- or in after ages: for the prophecy evidently tified; and about to have done with conflict, la- looks forward beyond the coming of Christ, and bor, sin, temptation, darkness, sorrow, and the some of it seems to be yet unaccomplished. In danger of any more offending or dishonoring this and in some other passages, such as Noah's God; and having good, and nothing but good, prophecy, (Notes, 9:24-27.) and Moses blessbefore him to all eternity; with what comforting the tribes, (Notes, Deut. 33:) there is so large may he "walk through the valley of the shadow of death!" And though flesh and heart fail, though the eyes grow dim, and nature sink in decay, how may he triumph in that God, who is "the Strength of his heart, and his Portion for ever!" Having experienced, that the Lord hath been better to him, not only than his desponding fears, but even than his most sanguine hopes, he may cheerfully descend into the grave, leaning on the tried faithfulness of God to his promises. -But would we thus die the death of the righteous, we must "walk before God in the land of the living;" and, in the exercise and obedience of faith, bear the name and tread in the steps of V. 3, 4. Reuben, being Jacob's eldest son, these ancient believers: then, though our com- might expect the precedency: as "the excelforts are dying all around us, our heavenly Fa- lency of dignity, and the excellency of power," ther will be with us, to countervail all losses, and the larger portion of the inheritance, and the to fulfil his largest promises.-Whatever we principal authority among his brethren, propthink while we live, we shall at death know, that erly belonged to him. But he had incurred a to be "fed all our life long," is all that we can forfeiture; and therefore his father, as it were, have in this world. Little indeed can those pos-arrayed him with the insignia of royalty, that sessions profit us, about which there are so many cares and contentions: and though it may be proper, to adjust with exactness every thing respecting them, lest we bequeath discord to our posterity; yet soon a burying place will be all that the amplest patrimony can afford us.-How an extent of prediction comprised in a few words, that brevity will allow us to adduce but a small part of what might properly be said, by way of elucidating them. In many instances, we have only the scriptural history to proceed upon, if we attempt to illustrate the prophecy by its accomplishinent: and this mentions but little concerning several of the tribes. Had we a more particular account of the distinguishing character, situation, and success of each tribe, we should probably perceive a more striking exactness in all these predictions, than we now discern in any of them. he might the more solemnly and judicially degrade him.-The word rendered unstable, seems to denote especially a haughty, arrogant disposition, which, like swelling waters, overflows or breaks through all restraints, and renders a man altogether unworthy of confidence, and unfit [175 5 Simeon and Levi are brethren: ||PI will divide them in Jacob, and scatter instruments of cruelty are in their hab- them in Israel. [Practical Observations.] 8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren 4 shall praise; thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies: thy father's children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up; he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? p Josh. 19:1-9. 21: 1 Chr. 4: q 29:35. 44:18-34. Deut. 33:7. r Num. 1:27. 10:14. 26:22. 2:10,11. Heb. 7:14. 10:13. Rev. 5:5. 11:15. s Josh. 10:24. 2 Sam. 22.41. Ez. 21:29. t 27:29. 37:7-10. 42:6. 2 Sam, 5:3. u Num. 23:24. 24:9. Hos. 5:14 Rev. 5:5. for useful services. Or it may mean an incon- dying protest against it.-'No,' says he, 'my soul stant spirit, which turns this way or the other, 'would have abhorred so villanous a project; at the impulse of every temptation, as water and had I been admitted into their secret, Í driven by the wind.-(Marg. Ref.)-Some think would have immediately divulged it.' His honor the word means licentious, but that is not clear. also was intimately connected with that of his It is used in the following passages, and not religion, and the glory of God: he therefore elsewhere: Judg. 9:4. Jer. 23:32. Zeph. 3:4.- adds, 'Let it never be imputed to me, that I was Probably an insolent self-preference, on account 'one of this scandalous confederacy: it would of his primogeniture, concurred in emboldening 'not only be a disgrace to my character; but it Reuben to commit incest with Bilhah, his fa- 'would discredit the worship of JEHOVAH, in futher's concubine, as in some respects laying a ture ages and in distant nations, were it said, claim to the inheritance. (2 Sam. 16:21. that Israel, "who had power with God and pre1 Kings 2:17,21,22.) But, by that very action,|| 'vailed," was guilty of such a crime. Let then he forfeited all the privileges of the distinction 'Simeon and Levi, though my own sons, bear which so elated him. Reuben's incest had been 'the blame; and let the degraded state of their committed forty years before, and probably was 'tribes still proclaim my abhorrence, yea, my repented of, and pardoned as to its eternal pun- 'God's abhorrence, of their wickedness.'-In ishment: yet, being a crime of so infamous a na- their rage against Shechem, they slew him; but ture, it was on this occasion remembered, and they scorned to lay hands on him alone, and his tribe was degraded on account of it; to tes- therefore slew Hamor his father, and many tify not only Jacob's, but the Lord's, abhorrence others with him. (Esth. 3:6.) And they were of such abominable practices, for a warning to too self-willed and headstrong, either to ask or the Israelites, and to others in all future ages. take any wholesome counsel; but proceeded Thus children actually do suffer for their pa- likewise to desolate and plunder the city, and, as rents' crimes in this world: but this is for wise, some render it, to "hough the oxen," or to maim equitable, and merciful reasons; namely, to warn and treat cruelly the innocent animals.-Jacob them not to imitate their sins, lest they both therefore execrated, and called on all men to be punished themselves, and entail misery on detest, their fierce anger and cruel wrath. He their beloved offspring.-The descendants of did not, however, curse them; nay, he is said to Reuben seem to have resembled him in charac- have blessed all his sons, but he pronounced a ter; and, according to this prediction, his tribe prophetic sentence upon them in the name of never had the pre-eminence in any respect: nor God, that they should be divided from each is any mention made in the subsequent history, other, and one part of their descendants from of either judge, king, prophet, or renowned per- the rest, in Jacob and Israel: for, though deson, descended from Reuben; except of Da- graded from the pre-eminence, they would share than and Abiram, who, according to the charac- in the land promised to his posterity, in the orter here described, proudly rebelled against Mo-dinances of God, and in the benefits of the covses and against God; and of Adina, one of David's captains. (1 Chr. 11:42.) V. 5-7. Simeon and Levi, the next in seniority, were degraded also, and with still deeper abhorrence of the crime which they had committed. They were brethren, not only descended from the same parents, but as being of the same fierce and untractable disposition. The swords, those "instruments of cruelty" with which they massacred the Shechemites, remained in their houses, as monuments of their odious crime: or rather, "Their compacts are the instruments of cruelty:" for thus the clause may be rendered, perhaps more proper than it is either in the text, or in the margin of our version. They made a treacherous agreement with the Shechemites, in order to execute their fierce and bloody revenge. (Notes, 34:14-28.)-Perhaps Jacob had been suspected of allowing their treacherous revenge, but he here entered his enant made with their fathers.-Accordingly, the tribe of Simeon had only a portion within the lot of Judah, where being straitened, part of them went in quest of new settlements, and were thus divided in Jacob. Tradition also reports, that numbers of this tribe were dispersed among the other tribes, as instructers of chil dren, for their support. The sentence in Levi's case was not reversed, but converted into a blessing, in consequence of the service which his descendants performed, in their zeal against the worshippers of the golden calf; (Notes, Ex. 32:27-29. Deut. 33:9,10.) so that being consecrated to God, as the priestly tribe, they were honorably and profitably divided and scattered in that character throughout Israel. But the tribe of Simeon, being deeply criminal in the matter of Baal-peor, were not so favored. (Num. 25:14. Note, Num. 26:14.) V. 8. 9. "Judah" signifies Praisc.-1.eab thus called her son, as expressing her admiring from whom the whole kingdom was called Judah gratitude to God for his goodness; but Jacob al- and the land was distinguished as the land of Juluded to the name, with reference to Judah him-dah. This kingdom was far more prosperous self. (29:35.) There was nothing praise-worthy than that of the ten tribes. Above half of their in the former part of Judah's life: but he acted kings were pious men, and many of them very most nobly and disinterestedly, in his conduct zealous in the cause of God; their reigns were before Joseph respecting Benjamin, and was en- remarkably long in proportion; and consequenttitled to the praises of all his brethren. (Notes, ly religion prospered much more in Judah than 44:18-34.) Yet Judah personally was not so in Israel. While their pious princes adhered to much intended as his descendants, especially the worship of God, their most powerful and Christ, whom all his brethren shall praise for haughty foes were intimidated, or subdued: and ever. This clause implies, that the other tribes even when the nation, for idolatry, was given up would deem it an honor to stand related to that for a time into the hands of their assailants, they of Judah; and that Judah personally would be soon returned to the Lord, and were restored applauded by them, as well as his tribe distin- and prospered. During the last contest with guished among them. Had Jacob been influ- the Chaldeans, their power and courage were enced by human passions, he would probably very conspicuous, in the long struggle which have set Judah aside, as he had his elder breth- they made against the victorious and potent ren; in order to confer the privileges of primo- Nebuchadnezzar.-After the captivity, the Jews geniture exclusively on his beloved Joseph, the alone, as a nation, returned; while the Israelites son of his beloved Rachel, to whom, as the single were either finally scattered, or incorporated wife whom he intended to marry, this prece- with them. From this period all the remainder dency might be supposed due: but he spake by of Jacob's descendants have been called from the Spirit of prophecy, as the events predicted Judah, Jews or Judeans, and the distinction of completely demonstrate. Under this guidance tribes gradually fell into disuse; and this is the he foretold, that the descendants of Judah would name by which they are at this day known all be victorious over their enemies, and rule over over the earth: a most remarkable event, that their brethren of the other tribes, as their will- the people should neither be called after Abraing subjects. Their character also, as courage-ham, nor Isaac, nor Jacob, nor one of his three ous, but not ferocious; victorious, but not tyrannical; willing to live in peace, yet terrible to those who provoked them; is represented under the well known emblem of the lion, who rules over the beasts of the forest; and of the lioness, as the word (2) rendered old lion may signify, and who is still fiercer when enraged.-Now all this has certainly been fulfilled in the most circumstantial manner, even to this present day. In every age the tribe of Judah was more honored than any of the other tribes; unless, perhaps, some may think a few years of Saul's reign an exception. The Lord assigned it the precedency in the encampments of Israel in the wilderness; (Note, Num. 2:3.) and in presenting the oblations at the sanctuary. (Num. 7:12.) It had the first lot in Canaan, even in preference to Ephraim, Joshua's own tribe. (Josh. 15:) After Joshua's death, "the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up." (Judg. 1:1,2.) Othniel, the first judge, was of this tribe, and Caleb also, who almost equalled Joshua in reputation. At length the Lord chose David, of the tribe of Judah, to rule over his people; and made a covenant with him concerning the perpetuity of the kingdom in his family, which evidently prefigured the everlasting kingdom of Christ. Accordingly, David and his son Solomon ruled over all Israel, with great prosperity and renown; Judah was praised and had in honor; "his hand was in the neck of his enemies, and his father's children bowed down to him. He was a lion's whelp; he went up from the prey; he stooped, he couched down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up?"-After Solomon's death, this glory was in some degree eclipsed by the revolt of the ten tribes. Yet the kingdom of Judah, for above 400 years, was governed by his descendants in lineal succession. The tribe of Benjamin and that of Levi, with numbers from the other tribes, united themselves to Judah, VOL. I. 23 elder sons; but from Judah, his fourth son. Thus it is manifest, that Judah has been unspeakably more known and celebrated than any other of Jacob's sons; his brethren have praised and honored him; they have bowed down to him, and have preserved their most valued distinctions, by standing related to him and bearing his name.— His has been, in all respects, the conquering and the ruling tribe, though more especially distinguished by giving birth to Christ, the Lord of all and the King of glory.--Indeed, the power and reputation of the Jews after the captivity, never equalled their preceding eminence: yet the stand which they made against the Syrian kings, especially the successes of the Maccabees, (who, though Levites, were closely united with Judah,) against Antiochus Epiphanes, and afterwards against the Roman generals, especially before the last destruction of Jerusalem, proves that they were very powerful and formidable. Many of the other tribes joined with them, and frequently possessed authority, and headed their armies; but the body of the people descended from Judah, and the whole was called by his name. And though Jerusalem was situated in the lot of Benjamin, yet the tribe of Judah inhabited part of that city: the throne of David and his descendants was placed in Jerusalem; there the family of Judah ruled over their brethren; and thither the other tribes resorted to the courts of justice, as well as for the worship of God. It is therefore undeniable that events, even to this day, during more than 3,000 years, have, with astonishing exactness, corresponded to this ancient prediction, in a manner which no human sagacity could have foreseen or conjec tured. V. 10. The word here translated "sceptre," properly signifies a rod or staff; though sometimes it is rendered a tribe: and it simply denotes the exercise of dominion or authority, of which the rod or sceptre was the badge. Judah was at this time merely the head of a family [177 |