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that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.

25 And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.

26 And these are the children of Dishon; "Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.

27 The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.

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ALTHOUGH Esau lost his birthright, he was not deprived of temporal wealth. He had set his heart upon the things of this world, and would have them at any sacrifice. The pottage, the field, and the chase, were the chief things in which his soul delighted. There can be little doubt, that, all through the course of his life, he acted upon a principle of narrow covetousness. He despised the

28 The children of Dishan are these; Uz, birthright, in comparison with any sensual

and Aran.

29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,

30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.

31 ¶ And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

33 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.

35 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

36 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

37 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.

38 And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

39 And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

40 And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,

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41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, 43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of 10 the Edomites.

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Such was Esau; such are the people of the world still; such are the votaries of fashion, pleasure, and amusement, to this time. These men have their portion in this world; they have riches, honours, possessions; so had Esau and his descendants. Here is a long list of names of dukes and kings; but what avails their pedigree, or their honour ? Though they are mentioned, they are not commended; their portion was here below.

Ah! when will men be wise? When will the eye penetrate the false glitter of the pomps and vanities of this world, and see that the whole is but a splendid dream of false joy and empty delusion? When will the mind perceive that they who have their portion in this world, have no inheritance with the saints in light? "The friendship of the world is enmity with God." (James iv. 4.)

Esau's opposition was restrained for a time; but we never read of his conversion. The old enmity after a while revived, and was perpetuated among his descendants from generation to generation. Is it not so with the world? Sometimes the Lord puts forth a spirit of restraint upon men's minds and actions, and they cannot do what they would. But restraint is not grace: there is deepseated hostility at the bottom; and time and occasion frequently make it manifest. The world is never to be really trusted. It can weep at times, and can even regard and respect when under a constraining power. But it is the world still, and always will be. There can be no truce with it. In it you are, but of it you must not be. If you are the heirs of the promise, you must from among them, and be separate," and the Lord will receive and bless you as his " sons and daughters." (2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.)

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CHAPTER XXXVII.

2 Joseph is hated of his brethren. 5 His two dreams. 13 Jacob sendeth him to visit his brethren. 18 His brethren conspire his death. 21 Reuben saveth him. 26 They sell him to the Ishmeelites. 31 His father, deceived by the bloody coat, mourneth for him. 36 He is sold to Potiphar in Egypt.

ND Jacob dwelt in the land 'wherein his

Canaan.

2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age and he made him a coat of many 2 colours.

4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

5¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

9¶ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.

13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, 3 see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word

again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

15¶ And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?

16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.

18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

23 ¶ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

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24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

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28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

29 ¶ And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and 'captain of the guard.

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doth signify not only eunuchs, but also chamberlairs, courtiers, and officers. Heb. chief of the slaughtermen, or, executioners. (9) Or, chief marshal.

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OUR Sojourning in this life is much like that of other generations who preceded us. We live in the same world, are exposed to the same trials, and possess the same joys and sorrows, as our fathers who have lived before They have gone the way of all the earth; and we, in due time, shall follow them. Thus Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger. Happy for us if we live, as he did, in the land of promise. Then, when our sojournings cease, we shall enter the everlasting rest above.

Some of Jacob's family troubles we have already seen; here we read of more. The greater part of his sons appear to have added no comfort to his advancing years. He heard of their evil report, and was grieved. His beloved son Joseph had a different mind. He was vexed at the misconduct of his brethren, and thought it his duty to inform his father, who loved him much, and gave visible proof of his marked affection for him. But this led to much envy and ill-will in the family. Joseph's brethren hated him, and would not speak comfortably to him. How distressing must all these things have been; and how painful is the reflection that most families know something

of the same evils; and instead of love and concord shedding their happy influence throughout the whole family, how often do we find envy, strife, and malice, leading surely to domestic misery, and sometimes even to crime and bloodshed. In the events related in this chapter, let us mark the directing and controlling power of God. It is clear, as the event shews, that in the providence of God, the foundation was laid in these events for the future development of Israel's history, from their sojourning in Egypt to their settlement in Canaan, though not to take place for hundreds of years. Nor can anything more clearly prove how wonderful the Lord is in counsel, and how mighty in working, than the eventful records now opening before us.

For

His

Joseph had a succession of dreams, which he told to his father and his brethren. these dreams they hated him the more. father, indeed, rebuked him; but he observed the saying. May not God, at any time, intimate his purposes in a dream? He did so in this case; He did so to Pharaoh; as also to Joseph, concerning Mary the mother of Jesus; and even to Jacob himself, when he slept at Bethel.

Let us see how Joseph's history stands connected with his dreams. When sent to visit his brethren, they consulted to destroy him, and to put an end to his dreams. In that they were overruled; and for the sake of money, they sold him as a slave, to be carried into a distant land, thinking, doubtless, they should never hear of him again. To make all sure, and impose on their father, they dip Joseph's garment in blood, carry it home to confirm their tale that he had been torn to pieces, and devoured by beasts. How cruel was their conduct! How deep their parent's sorrow! And when all the sons, as well as daughters of Jacob, rose up to comfort him, what a mixture of hypocrisy and villany does their conduct betray! They pretended to mourn his loss, though they knew they had sold him as a slave, and would have put him to death! Is not this a most striking proof that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked?" (Jer. xvii. 9.) And in every point of view, how abominably wicked does their conduct appear!

But who can doubt the hand of God in overruling the wickedness of man to shew forth his praise? (Ps. lxxvi. 10.) Just at the very time when they would have carried their murderous design into effect, they are diverted from their purpose by the appearance of a company of strangers; and for a few pieces of silver, they sold, as a slave, him whom before they had determined to put to death! How often has the providence of God interposed to defeat the schemes of the wicked? The Scriptures abound in these blessed proofs of divine wisdom and love. The histories of Joseph, Moses, David, Esther, Jeremiah, Peter, and others, clearly prove that the God who judgeth the earth, careth for the righteous, marks their steps, and keeps their souls.

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ND it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.

4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.

7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.

8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

10 And the thing which he did 'displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren

did. AndTamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

17 And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?

18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

19 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.

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21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.

22 And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.

23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

27¶ And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. 28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out : and she said, "How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.

30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

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THE history of man when impartially told, is one continued record of wickedness. If all human histories were as honestly written as the Sacred Scriptures, this sad truth would universally appear. And even with all the specious glosses thrown over the actions of men to deceive a world willing to be deceived, enough plainly appears in all ages and nations to convince every unprejudiced observer that the earth is full of evil. Here, then, you may see one striking proof of the truth of the Sacred Volume. Man, when it suits his purpose, hides the faults, and extenuates the sins, of his fellow-men; God writes all with an impartial pen, and tells the faults even of his servants, as well as the sins of the wicked. Let us learn, then, to prize the inspired Word, and aim to regulate all our opinions, as well as our faith and hope, according to its unerring truth.

On looking over this chapter, it may reasonably be asked, what was the purpose of the Holy Spirit in giving us this record? Most probably it was written to shew us both the wickedness of man, and the goodness of God. At all events, in this light it admits of very profitable improvement. The wickedness here recorded is, indeed, very great. All were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. Some of them the Lord slew and cut off in their sin; others were spared, and

probably pardoned. All unhallowed connexions will produce evil, judgment, and wrath. And to how shameful a condition, even in this world, do not sinners often bring themselves in the sight of others wicked as themselves? Those who have been foremost in crime, are not unfrequently most ready to condemn others, even the objects of their own vile affections! What a day will that be, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed! Oh! the long-suffering of God, who sees all that is going on from age to age, and yet bears with men; gives them time for repentance; and sometimes snatches one, here and there, as a brand out of the fire!

But if you consult the genealogy of Christ (Matt. i. 3), you may see another reason why these sad facts may have been recorded. Wonderful as it may seem, four of the names mentioned in this chapter stand in that genealogy in the direct line of Christ according to the flesh! The mention of these names as in the pedigree of Christ could not have been necessary to prove the descent of Christ through Jacob, from Abraham, because Jacob had other sons; and Judah was not by birth the first-born. Might not the purpose of God have been to shew, by the actual descent of Jesus, the very object for which He came, viz., to save sinners; yea, the vilest and chief of sinners?

What a blessed truth is this! It is the very essence of that "faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Tim. i. 15.) Let us prize that "saying." Let us welcome the Saviour it reveals. Let us embrace the salvation it proclaims, and cast our sinful souls at the feet of that Redeemer who will be all our salvation, and all our desire. (2 Sam. xxiii. 5.)

CHAPTER XXXIX.

1 Joseph advanced in Potiphar's house. 7 He resisteth his mistress's temptation. 13 He is falsely accused. 20 He is cast in prison. 21 God is with him there.

ND Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he

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