Biblical Review ...

them; and nothing is said indicating that the story was fabricated. It is interesting to see the workings of human nature in the hearts of the brethren, who felt that they had justly incurred his displeasure, and to see the Godlike temper and disposition of their brother, who was grieved that they should entertain any doubts of his gracious disposition, and who seeks at once to reassure them on this point.

718. We are not to suppose that the purpose of God to bring about a good result, from the sin of Joseph's brethren, does, in the least, exculpate the offenders. Though guilty of a base and unholy act, God had made that act the instrument of good; and now that the good was manifest, it was proper that they should reproach themselves no longer.

719. Joseph lived to see the children of Ephraim, and the grand-children of Manasseh. The generations here alluded to, commence with Joseph himself; hence the children of Machir were the fourth generation.

720. Joseph had been assured by his father, that his descendants would come again into Canaan, according to the divine promise; and this assurance is now repeated by Joseph himself, and made the ground of an oath exacted of his brethren, to bring him thither again and bury him in the promised land- an oath that was fulfilled, when the children of Israel went up to that country, under the conduct of Moses.

721. That the brethren of Joseph here referred to were his own brethren, or their children, we may not certainly determine, as the language may refer to either. It is not unreasonable to conclude that some, if not all his brethren, were yet alive. The obligation, however, would be felt to be binding on the children, as well as on the original parties in the contract.

INDEX OF PASSAGES,

THE

INDICATING THE PART OF THE BOOK WHERE THEY ARE FOUND,
AND THE COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS THEREON.
FIGURES REFER TO THE PARAGRAPHS.