Jacob's sons, having got leave to take Benjamin with them, were
observant of the orders their father had given them, and went down the
second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a
famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for
spiritual food as they did for corporal food. Now here we have an
account of what passed between them and Joseph's steward, who, some
conjecture, was in the secret, and knew them to be Joseph's brethren,
and helped to humour the thing; I rather think not, because no man was
permitted to be present when Joseph afterwards made himself known to
them, ch. xlv. 1. Observe, 1. Joseph's steward has orders from his
master (who was busy selling corn, and receiving money) to take them to
his house, and make ready for their entertainment. Though Joseph saw
Benjamin there, he would not leave his work at working-time, nor trust
another with it. Note, Business must take place of civility in its
season. Our needful employments must not be neglected, no, not to pay
respect to our friends. 2. Even this frightened them: They were afraid,
because they were brought into Joseph's house, v. 18. The just
challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph's violent suspicions of
them, forbade them to expect any favour, and suggested to them that
this was done with a bad design upon them. Note, Those that are guilty
and timorous are apt to make the worst of every thing. Now they thought
they should be reckoned with about the money in the sacks' mouths, and
should be charged as cheats, and men not fit to be dealt with, who had
taken advantage of the hurry of the market to carry off their corn
unpaid for. They therefore laid the case before the steward, that he,
being apprized of it, might stand between them and danger; and, as a
substantial proof of their honesty, before they were charged with
taking back their money they produced it. Note, Integrity and
uprightness will preserve us, and will clear themselves as the light of
the morning. 3. The steward encouraged them (v. 23): Peace be to you,
fear not; though he knew not what his master drove at, yet he was aware
these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused them; and
therefore he directs them to look at the divine Providence in the
return of their money: Your God, and the God of your father, has given
you treasure in your sacks. Observe, (1.) Hereby he shows that he had
no suspicion at all of dishonesty in them: for of what we get by deceit
we cannot say, "God gives it to us." (2.) Hereby he silences their
further enquiry about it. "Ask not how it came thither; Providence
brought it to you, and let that satisfy you." (3.) It appears by what
he said that, by his good master's instructions, he was brought to the
knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be
expected that those who are servants in religious families should take
all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and
seriousness. (4.) He directs them to look up to God, and acknowledge
his providence in the good bargain they had. We must own ourselves
indebted to God, as our God and the God of our fathers (a God in
covenant with us and them) for all our successes and advantages, and
the kindnesses of our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no
more, which God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only
in words but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master
came, v. 24.