IN the history of the Patriarchs (Gen. 35- Ex.), we have, as it regards themselves, much that is humiliating, but much that is deeply interesting to us, as it regards the purposes and counsels of God.
That faith in God, which Abraham had so blessedly manifested, had declined, and self-will had grown and increased; besides these, other circumstances may account for the sad and evil condition of Jacob’s sons; Such as the bad examples around them, the imperfect training they had received from their father during his eventful wandering life, &c. Every sin seems to have grown up with these children, and their evil ways are manifested toward their father, toward each other, and toward the world without. Instead of faith in God like Abraham, they seem to think but little of God; instead of submission to their father, we see insubjection, and insubordination; instead of love and care for him, they manifested a very opposite spirit, and were regardless of his feelings, or his trials; in place of brethren living together in unity, division, strife, and envy prevailed; their only union was in wickedness and deceit. Instead of acknowledging the purpose and counsels of God, they rebel against His will, and incur upon themselves sad trouble for years and years; and instead of a mild and godly deportment before the world, they exhibit cruelty and vice. They seem to have grown up deliberately in evil; hence they needed so much and such repeated discipline when brought before Joseph: their hearts were hardened by long continuance in sin, and yet were they “all one man’s sons.” (Gen. 42:11, 3211We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. (Genesis 42:11)
32We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. (Genesis 42:32).)
Joseph, in parting with them, well knowing their unbrotherly tendencies, says to them, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” (45:24.)
But God’s mercy is manifested to them in rescuing them from famine, and in raising up a saviour in the one they had despised and rejected. Wondrous mercy and grace was this, which not only overruled all their former vices, but forgot them and passed them by, setting these guilty brethren, as it were, on an entirely new footing. He unites them all together, and manifests to them peculiar grace in regard to their dwelling and their circumstances. Still they do not seem to have profited much, and fresh trials, after Joseph’s death, were used by God to humble them, and to bring them to cry to Him for deliverance.
Varied have been the circumstances, and long has been the history of these brethren; the end of it has not yet come, but when it does arrive, it will display the purpose, the grace, the wisdom, and the power of the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob―the Jehovah of Israel. He will make of them a people, who, instead of bringing dishonor upon His name, shall be a praise throughout all the earth―a people whom He has formed for Himself, who shall show forth all His praise, and who themselves shall be praised where they have been put to shame. Then they shall dwell together in holy and happy union and concord. (Zeph. 3; Isa. 62; Jer. 33)
Does not this history of the Patriarchs tell us of a history, more solemn still, of those who are more closely allied than one man’s sons, who are truly of one family, the family of God, who are also “one body”? If we look at them as they are in the world, what do we see? We see them as Israel’s family (with some exceptions), weak in faith, and often exhibiting self-will, insubjection, and insubordination, in no small degree; some going one way, others choosing another. Do we see the characteristics of one family, and of unity? Grace and charity, with discerning eye, may see individually much of this; but the strict and impartial eye of justice would pronounce against their having kept their Lord and Master’s last command. They are not united together, but separated one from another. Is this the distinguishing mark, or is it not? If, in some sort, found together, how are they united? Some under one form, some under another, the bond of one party being often the means of separating others. In these human-formed unions or societies, not only are there many rules of human invention, but many persons, in some instances the majority, not converted at all, not of the family of God, and who do not personally profess real faith in Christ. If there be not literally murder, or selling one another, as with the ten brethren at Dothan, the spirituality of the law would discern the very same principles in envy, strife, contention, evil speaking, division, want of love, &c. (Matt. 5)
As the dispensation is spiritual, so the worst sins and offenses are spiritual also; hence we must not content ourselves that there is no breach of morality or law, but see that we fulfill the law of Christ.
Blessed be God! as Israel’s history has a bright ending, and is connected with the purpose and power of God, much more is this true of the Divine family. If for our humiliation we regard it here below, we may, for our joy and consolation, look at it with the eye of faith, and behold it as “one body;” one in Christ. Through that glass of faith, we may discern a unity of the very same nature as the unity of the Father and the Son (John 17), and say assuredly, from God’s sacred word, that soon that body of Christ shall brightly shine above the mists and darkness of a benighted world, brighter far than Israel gathered to the land of Judea in peace and glory. Israel shall surely manifest Jehovah’s grace, but the church will show forth “the exceeding riches of His grace,” and “be to the praise of His glory;” for she is “the fullness of Him who filleth all in all.” (Eph. 1:12, 2312That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23).) As to the issue, then, all will be well; God will be glorified, and we shall be blessed. All shall be gathered in who are to make up this family; every member of the body, however feeble, shall be fitted in living power; every stone in the temple shall find its proper place. Of this there is, happily, no doubt; but as to the present, what becomes us? What should be our position? That which few think of, or are occupied with, even humiliation deep and abasing; and, so far as is in us, to walk in the ways and according to the rules of the Divine family, set forth in the Scriptures of truth, whatever others may say or do.
If we want joy, and this we should have, let us look at the pattern above; if we want to humble ourselves and this is likewise our special business, need we more than to regard the untrue, dislocated, and broken condition here below, making confession thereof before God, and being “very sorry.” (Matt. 18:3131So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (Matthew 18:31).) As want of faith causes decline, so should we seek from God an increase and growth in faith, and grace for the subduing of our wills, checking all that would mar the unity of the Spirit, or create or promote strife and division, overcoming evil with good, walking in the Spirit, holding truth and love, and bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.
Joseph’s words, “See that ye fall not out by the way,” may be remembered by us, as well as the words of the brethren, “We are all one man’s sons,” “All ye are brethren.” (Matt. 23:88But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:8).)