.

.

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120

Genesis

of his love and loyalty, but more beautiful still in its manifestation of the grace of Jehovah, Who is willing to be the Guest of such as en- tertain Hin .

3. The reiterated Promise

We next see Abraham receiving, instead of giving. Jehovah repeated His gracious prom- ises to him with more of detail, and that patiently, notwithstanding the laughter of Sarah, which laughter was tenderly rebuked.

The true life of faith is never taken un- awares by the goings of God. On the contrary, it is ever ready and eager to make what pro- vision it can for any manifested need.

4. Co-operation

Jehovah now made a communication to His faithful servant, and the reasons for His doing so are stated. Abraham in the Divine economy was the deposit of blessing to all nations. It was fitting, therefore, that he should know the meaning of the Divine dealing with Sodom. Through this declaration made to him, his chil- dren would subsequently know that the de- struction of Sodom was no mere incident, but the distinct punishment of unrighteousness.

f «

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.

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Regeneration

121

Abraham was thus provided with an explana- tion of something about to happen, which would enable him to use it as a warning of vast importance.

The answer of Abraham to the confidence of Jehovah reveals the reason of the interces- sion which followed. This was based, not so much on his desire to save Sodom or any that were in it, though these matters also had a place in his thought. It was born rather of a consciousness of the strict justice of God, and an anxiety for the vindication of His char- acter among the nations. He declared that God could not destroy the righteous with the wicked, and announced his reason for such declaration in the question, " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? " To Abra- ham such a proceeding would appear to be un- righteous, and he therefore declared that God could not do it.

Upon the basis of this conviction he inter- ceded, and God graciously listened to him, as- suring him as his intercession proceeded, that his conviction was right, and that the city would be spared if ten righteous could be found therein.

It is a wonderful picture of the patience of God. He will always listen to honest interces- sion, even though He knows that His ways are

^S. OF PRIA/^

.M847 v.9j

GENESIS. — Tin; Rook of BEGINNINGS.

GENEB VTICIN. I., II.

I. Conditioned.

B.

DECJENERATION. III.— XI.

! Scp^ion.

, K.Si,u.

: INTERPOLATION.

III. Tbe New Departure. National.

' THE NATIONS.

REGENERATION. XII.— I..

INDIVIDUALS

-..■■■ ltH<»\ \H,

111. JACOB.

o. First Comm,,.,,, ..iionoi II HOVAH.

°uprh7li.Jl''','.U.'M^1'.'kl "h"'...,' "}Lt

d. Fourth Comni'gr/i.raV.'.M.nl JFHl »VAH

i. Joseph ■' Home «

lah's Corruption.

III. OP SOCIETY.

„„,„._,. „,

IV. OF A NATION.

1.22-M

L Preparation In Egypt.

"^i*1*:

.I! TB°Vrhophec»ro? Fa'l'l,"

Z'.Z

s-«

; l':^^ttl.ion refused"

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•■ Tbe Favour of Jehovah.

lIu'''ll!i'lkHDar"im'dDeM'

14

Jus, [.h forEollen.

;. |.,*L-|,h^lnl«pri.wlic.n.

i*()',i'*'-t'hs Advice.

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1 YlEH^Y^oYlKe"

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The Answer of Joseph. f The Action ol^Wv.h

II. Segregation of Israel.

,1.1 1.11.

Jfiriri^'.'-sL.,,.,.

1. .

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f. The last words to Joseph

.. j.cobjl Prophecy concerning his Sou.

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'

THE ANALYZED BIBLE

BY THE KEV.

G. CAMPBELL MORGAN, D.D. THE BOOK OF GENESIS

New York Chicago Toronto

Fleming H. Revell Company

London and Edinburgh

Copyright, 191 1, by FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY

•^

New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago : 123 N. Wabash Ave. Toronto: 25 Richmond St., W. London : 21 Paternoster Square Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street

PREFACE

THE Preface to this Volume is found in the Chapter on Genesis, in Volume I. of " The Analyzed Bible."

Herein we proceed at once to the more detailed analysis of what is set forth in bare outline therein. *

Familiarity with that outline is necessary to the study of this book.

G. Campbell Morgan.

CONTENTS

GENERATION

PAGE

OF THE MATEEIAL TO MAN ... 16

The Origin 16

The Ruin 17

The Revealed Cosmogony . % . .18

Restoration 19

Rest 23

OF MAN, AS TO NATTJEE AND OFFICE 27

Created .29

Crowned 31

Conditioned 32

Completed 33

7

8 Contents

DEGENERATION

PAGE

OF THE INDIVIDUAL .... 37

The Serpent and Man .... 39

Jehovah 42

Inquisition 42

Sentence 43

Prophecy . . . . . .44

Exclusion 44

OF THE FAMILY 47

The First Family 47

The Families . . . . . .51

OF SOCIETY 55

The Mixture of the Seeds ... 55

The Result of the Mixture . . 58

The Exception 60

THE DIVINE INTEEPOLATION . . 63

The Corruption of the Earth . . 63

The Divine Action 64

Contents 9

PAGE

The Preparation 64

The Destruction 65

The Deliverance 67

The New Departure .... 71

Man in Relation to God ... 71

Man in Relation to Creation . . 72

The Covenant and its Seal ... 73

The Beginnings of the Nations . . 75

OF THE NATIONS . . . ' . .79

Confederacy 79

Confusion 81

Continuity 82

REGENERATION

OF INDIVIDUALS 85

Abraham 85

First Communication of Jehovah . 86

Second Communication of Jehovah . 87

First Deflection of Abram ... 91

10 Contents

PAGE

Third Communication of Jehovah . 95

Fourth Communication of Jehovah . 101

Second Deflection of Abram . . 107

Fifth Communication of Jehovah . Ill

Sixth Communication of Jehovah . 119

Parenthesis. The Story of Lot . . 125

Third Deflection of Abraham . . 131

The Fulfilment of Promise . . . 135

The Separation of Ishmael . . 136

Parenthesis. The Covenant of Abra- ham and Abimelech .... 137 Seventh Communication of Jehovah 141

Parenthesis. The Seed of Nahor . . 146

Last Things in the Life of Abraham . 149

Death of Sarah 149

Choosing a Wife for Isaac . . . 153

The Final Records of Abraham . . 161

Isaac 165

Introductory 165

Contents 11

PAGE

First Appearance. Continuity of Covenant 1G7

Second Appearance. Ratification of

Covenant 169

Jacob 173

First Divine Communication. Du- plicity, and the Over-ruling God . 173 Parenthesis. The Action of Esau . . 178

Second Divine Communication. Suc- cess, and the Interfering G#d . 183

Third Divine Communication. Inde- pendence, and the Conquering God 193

Fourth Divine Communication. Com- promise, and the Restoring God . 201

Fifth Divine Communication. Obedi- ence, and the Rewarding God . 209

OF THE FAMILY 215

Preliminary 215

Joseph at Home and in Exile . . 219 The Home Life 219

12

Contents

The Dreams 220

The Betrayal 220

Judah's Corruption .... 221

OP SOCIETY Preparation in Egypt . Joseph in Slavery . Joseph in Power . Joseph and his Brethren The First Visit . The Second Visit

. 225 . 225 . 225 . 231 . 237 . 237 . 243

Segregation of Israel .... 255 Joseph and his Family . . . 255 Joseph, his Sons, and his Father . 263 Jacob's Adoption of Ephraim and

Manasseh 263

Jacob's Prophecy concerning his

Sons 269

The Passing and Burial of Jacob . 275

OF A NATION

279

THE BOOK OF GENESIS

A. GENERATION.

i., ii.

I. OF THE MATERIAL TO MAN.

i.-ii. 3

i. The Origin.

i. i

ii. The Ruin.

i. 2a

iii. The Revealed Cosmogony.

i.

2b-ii. 3

a. RESTORATION.

i

i. 2&-31

I. The Agents.

a. The brooding Spirit. p. The uttered Word.

3.6,

9, ii»

14,

20,

2&-31 24, 26

2. The Order.

a. Light.

/3. Firmament.

y. Separation of Land and Water.

S. The Solar System.

€. Sentient Life. Fish. Fowl.

f. Animals.

»). Man.

Vegetation.

3S

6-8

9-13

14-19

20-23

24.25 26-31

b. REST. ii. 1-3

GENESIS

" The secret things belong unto the Lord our God : but the things that are revealed be- long unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." In the book of Genesis the " secret things " are taken for granted, and the story is told of the origin of the things that are revealed.

" What is seen hath not been invade out of things which do appear." In this writing " what is seen . . . things which do appear " are set in relation to Him Who is not seen, and to the forces which do not appear, in such a way as to show that the seen and apparent are the evidences of the unseen and the hid- den.

Our broad scheme of analysis reveals the book as dealing with generation, the origins of material things, and the connection of such with the spiritual in man; degeneration, the introduction of sin into human history, and the consequent degradation of humanity; re- generation, the first Divine movement in human history towards the Saviour, and the consequent hope of human salvation.

15

16 Genesis

A. GENERATION.

The first division is intensive rather than extensive, inclusive rather than exhaustive. In language characterized by great simplicity it treats first of the material order as far as man; and secondly of man, as to his nature and office.

I. OF THE MATERIAL TO MAN

In the first section which treats of the material to man, we have three matters in sequence, demanding our attention; first, an all-inclusive declaration of origin ; secondly, a description of a state of ruin, with no account of its cause; and thirdly, the account of the cosmogony of the present order.

i. The Origin

The origin of material things is declared in the words, " In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." This declaration stands sublime in its simplicity. It is with- out date, definition of God, or declaration of process.

The phrase, " in the beginning," leaves the actual age of things material undeclared,

Generation 17

allows for much subsequently to be revealed and discovered, but claims that however long the periods occupied in the process, the first fact is not the material, but God. The word " Elohim " here translated " God," and occurring at least five-and-thirty times in this particular section, suggests the embodiment of all might, and is written in the plural, ac- cording to the Hebrew usage, which employs the plural as indicative of superlative dignity and excellence. The word oara, here trans- lated " created," is one of three made use of when referring to the Divine activity in cre- ation ; but it is the one which in the Old Testa- ment is never used save of the activity of God, and conveys the idea of absolute Power, oper- ating in actual origination.

ii. The Ruin

Immediately following this simple and sub- lime statement, a picture is drawn of the earth in desolation and a waste. There is no logical connection between the first verse, and the first part of the second verse. The words of Isaiah are very emphatic in this connection. " For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens ; He is God ; that formed the earth and made it ; He established it, He created it not a

18 Genesis

waste, He formed it to be inhabited; 1 am the Lord; and there is none else." In another passage in Isaiah, when foretelling the deso- lation which will overtake the earth under the judgment of God, he says, " He shall stretch over it the line of confusion, and the plummet of emptiness " ; and these words " confusion " and " emptiness " are the identical words made use of in Genesis, " waste " and " void." The first, " waste," or " confusion," conveys the idea of utter desolation ; while the second, " void," or " emptiness," suggests the most disastrous failure.

We have no account of the catastrophe which overtook the earth God had created, but which He did not create waste ; and all specu- lation is futile.

iii. The Kevealed Cosmogony

The first two movements prepare for the third. The first affirms the fact that the mate- rial universe is the creation of God. The second describes a condition into which this creation had passed, in order to introduce the account of the restoration of order, that new movement of God by which the waste and desolate earth was restored to fruitfulness and order as the habitation of man. The account

Generation 19

of the cosmogony falls into two parts, the first dealing with the activity of restoration; and the second with the consequent attitude of rest.

a. RESTORATION

The presentation of the process of restora- tion reveals first the agents ; and secondly the order.

* 1. The Agents .

God is revealed in this restoration in the threefold fact of His existence.

The first declaration is full of poetic beauty and suggestiveness, especially if it be read in the Hebrew form, " And the Spirit of God, hovering upon the face of the waters " ; and perhaps the thought of the Hebrew word is best conveyed by the margin of the Revision, " brooding upon." Thus the desolate and waste earth is seen swathed about by the Spirit of God Who is the Medium of the oper- ation, to fulfilment, of the will of God, as it is expressed in the words of commandment.

Throughout the whole movement there is a recurrence of the Hebrew expression, " Then said God " ; and the Word of God is heard,

20 Genesis

uttering the sublime commandments which express the will of God, which are immedi- ately realized through the operation of the Spirit of God.

Thus God is seen, uttering the thought of His will in the Word of His mouth; and ac- complishing His will through the activity of His Spirit.

2. The Order

The will of God, expressed through His Word, and realized by His Spirit, produces an order which is described as proceeding in stages, culminating in man. The first is that of the appearance of light; the second the pro- vision of a firmament, or expanse, separating waters from waters; the third the separation of land from water in the earth, and the ap- pearance of vegetation; the fourth is the ap- pearance of the solar system as sun, moon, and stars take up their appointed places in relation to the earth; the fifth is the produc- tion of a new order of life, which we may de- scribe as sentient, in the appearance of fish and fowl; the sixth is that of the coming of an animal life on a higher level than that of fish and fowl ; while the final movement is that of the creation of man.

Generation 21

In the consideration of this account there are certain matters which need to be carefully noted. In the first four stages we find nothing other than the bringing of order out of dis- order; nothing new is originated. There is simply the manipulation by the Spirit of God of things originally created, in preparation for a new order of being. Through these stages the word describing the activity of God sug- gests only the manipulation of material al- ready in existence. *

When the power of God proceeded to the production of a new order of life, which may be described as sentient, the word bara which appears in the first verse of the chapter, is used again. Thus the difference between the sentient life and all that preceded it, is declared to be the result of an act of God, similar to that by which He originated the material universe.

The final movement is that of the creation of man ; and so majestic and important a mat- ter is it, tha't it is described as the result of some special counsel as within the mystery of Deity, " Let Us make man." Here again, while the word used with regard to the first stages is employed in this reference to coun- sel, when the actual work is referred to, the word bara is employed, showing that man

22 Genesis

again is the result of an entirely new originat- ing activity on the part of God.

Thus the crowning glory of this creation restoration is man, who is presented to us in the image and likeness of God, although the full process is not revealed, nor the deepest truth concerning man's nature declared in this first account. Taking the story as it stands, man is seen as the consummating glory of the material universe, emotional, intellectual, and volitional. The fact of his spiritual nature, which is the deepest secret of all these other matters, is not here declared, and so far there is no reference to his moral nature.

It is interesting thus carefully to note the position of the word "create" (bara) in this story. It is used of that first activity of God whereby the material came into being. It is used of that activity of God by which life became sentient. It is used of that activity of God whereby man was made distinct from everything below him. The word " made " (asah) is used with the greatest latitude, but never to indicate absolute origination as bara is. It always pre-supposes the existence of things which are to be manipulated into new forms.

Thus the story of the origin of those things in the midst of which man finds himself to-

Generation 23

day, affirms that they result from the will and work of Almighty God ; and a definite order is revealed, which proceeds from lower to higher ; and an activity is declared, whereby great changes are wrought, even in the process of development, by the direct and new inter- ference of God.

b. REST

With the creation of man the ultimate meaning of all preceding him was manifest. The goal was reached. Contemplating the process and the issue, God rested on the sev- enth day, and hallowed it. How long the rest lasted it is impossible to say. Through all the description the word " day " is undefined as to length of period. In the statement which immediately follows the section, it is declared that God made earth and heaven in a day, which cannot mean one day of equal length with those already referred to, notwithstand- ing the fact that the Hebrew word is exactly the same ; because all these days were included in this one day.

Into this rest of God, man entered; and it continued until the tempter came, and sin entered. When subsequently, a seventh of time was definitely set apart and hallowed, it

24 Genesis

became a reminder of that rest of God and man, which resulted from the perfect realiza- tion of Divine purpose by Divine power; and thus it was also a prophecy of rest to be reached along similar lines. Fundamentally the Sabbath for man was a gracious provision of God, whereby after six days of toil in fel- lowship with Him, he might rest in the same fellowship, and in thankful contemplation of His work.

II. OF MAN, AS TO NATURE AND OFFICE. »• 4-25

i. Created. 4-7

a. FORMED.

b. BREATHED.

c. A LIVING SOUL.

ii. Crowned. 8- is

a. HIS PLACE. 8-14

b. HIS OCCUPATION. 15

1. Dominion.

2. Submission.

iii. Conditioned. 16, 17

a. THE LIMITS OF LIBERTY.

b. THE SACRAMENTAL SYMBOLS. i. Permission.

2. Prohibition.

iv. Completed. 18-25

a. A HELPMEET NEEDED. 18-20

b. OUT OF MAN. 21,22

c. THE OTHER SIDE OF DEITY. 23-25

Generation 27

II. OP MAN, AS TO NATURE AND OFFICE

The supreme subject of this section is man. In the first section the origins of all material things have been dealt with, and it has been clearly seen that the ultimate goal was reached in man.

This is true, whatever theory may be held as to process. If in some respects the process was evolutionary, the involved purpose was man. It is not within the scope of our pur- pose to discuss these processes. We may, however, describe what is known as the evolu- tionary process by quotation.

" The evolution theory of the origin of species is that later species have been de- veloped by continuous differentiation of organs, and modifications of parts from species simpler and less differentiated, and that thus all organic existence, even man himself, may be traced back to a simple cell."

Now if this be true, it is well to remember that according to the Biblical statement, evo-

28 Genesis

lution means involution, which means God; and that involved in the original cell, was man. Let it also be remembered that accord- ing to this same Biblical account, differentia- tion has been by the act of God, and by such acts as have separated between the nothing and the something, between life non-sentient and the sentient, between animal life merely, and human life; these particular acts be- ing described by the Hebrew word bar a, to which we have referred.

On the other hand, if emphasis be laid upon the direct activity of God, the goal is still man, and consequently all before him was preparatory for his coming.

In the present section we have a careful account of the method of the creation of man, laying special emphasis upon the essential fact of his nature, and revealing his conse- quent relation to the Creator and to creation. The section is introduced by a summary of all that preceded the coming of man. The heaven and earth were created, which is a reference to ch. i. 1 ; and they were made, which is a ref- ence to ch. i. 3-19. This is a picture of the earth waiting for a man; potential, not pro- lific. The special dealing with man falls into four parts, in which he is seen created, crowned, conditioned, and completed.

Generation 29

i. Created

The creation of man is now described in such a way that the fullest truth concerning his nature may be known. Three distinct movements are recorded in the brief but com- prehensive account. First, " Jehovah God formed man of the dust " ; second, " Jehovah God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life " ; finally, " man became a living soul."

When the prophet Isaiah was delivering his messages, on one remarkable occasion, he made use of three words in describing God's right in man, " I have created, I have formed, I have made" (Isa. xliii. 7). The first of these is the Hebrew word bara, already more than once referred to. The last is the word asah, already once referred to. The central one, " I have formed," is the Hebrew word yatsar, which signifies to form or fashion as a potter does the clay.

This first declaration then, refers to that activity of God which was the first process in the making of a man, that namely of His use of material already existing, for the physical basis. " The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." The Duke of Argyll has said,

30 Genesis

" The three commonest gases. — oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen — with carbon and sulphur, are the foundation-stones of man's body. In slightly different propor- tions these elements constitute the primordial combination of matter which is the abode of life. In the finished struc- ture there appear besides, lime, potash, a little iron, sodium, and phosphorus. These are the constituents of the human body."

Now all these are found in the dust of the ground; and thus, by whatever process from lower to higher, God formed man on the phys- ical side; that is, the animal basis, but it is not man in the image and likeness of God. That physical basis never became man until the second of these processes followed, which is described by the words, " Jehovah God . . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." This is the declaration of the final Divine act, mysterious and incomprehensible, wherein God did communicate to that which He had formed out of the dust, His own life, so that man became by that final act, a living soul, in the likeness and image of God.

It is perhaps helpful here to translate that central declaration of the final Divine activity

Generation 31

thus, " Jehovah God breathed into his breath- ing places the breath of lives." This suggests not merely breathing through the nostrils, but the envelopment of the whole animal organism with a new quality of Divine life, which cre- ated a new being ; a combination, strange and mysterious, of dust and Deity. The crisis of the beginning of that being came with the in- breathing of the breath of lives. T^hus man essentially is spirit.

ii. Crowned

Man, thus created, was placed in a garden. This garden was of Divine planting, and in it man was to find his occupation. The nature of that occupation is at once revealed. Man is to serve in subjection to the will of his Cre- ator. He is to reign over all beneath him. The garden was not the ultimate goal. It was the opportunity for the exercise of the func- tions of the life bestowed. Within it there lay potentially the city. This city, man was in- tended to build, by the cultivation of the forces of the garden. His occupation there- fore was that of dominion in service. He was to exercise dominion over the earth by dress- ing and keeping the garden. He was to render submission to a Divine intention, and thus co-

32 Genesis

operate in a Divine purpose by that self-same activity of dressing and keeping the garden.

iii. Conditioned

The life of man in its relation to God and Nature was conditioned by a simple and yet perfectly clear command. This command in- dicated the limits of liberty. There were things which man might do. There were bounds beyond which he might not go. His liberty was conditioned in his loyalty to the law of his God.

Of these fundamental facts the trees of the garden afforded sacramental symbols. Of all, save one, he was permitted to eat. This was permission to live of the fruit of his own toil. One tree was separated. Of this he might not eat. It was to stand in the presence of his life, marking the bounds of his freedom. It was called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Speculation as to what it was, is idle, and beside the mark. The matter of impor- tance is that of the principle involved, that this marvellous being, combining in his per- sonality elements of the dust which are in themselves of Divine origin, with the directly implanted life of God, could only fulfil the highest function of his being as his will was submitted to the will of God.

Generation 33

iv. Completed

In this section we see man using his Di- vinely bestowed powers in the naming of the living creatures. This was the activity of his intelligence. He was yet, however, incomplete. His being demanded a counterpart. In its very nature it could not fulfil itself save by co-operation. The ultimate purpose of cre- ation was not that of a lonely and self-suffi- cient being, but that of a great society, bound together by common ties, and acting in such co-operation as should give expression to the multiplied mystery of Deity.

The final act of God in the creation of man was that of supplying his helpmeet. Woman was formed, not directly from the dust of the ground, nor directly by a new outgoing of Deity. She was taken from the man, and is therefore of his nature, combining the mate- rial and the spiritual, and being of the man the complement and perfection. Thus in the man and the woman, and not in either alone, the image and the likeness of God are seen. " God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." In God are Father- hood and Motherhood, parenthood and child- hood. In these two beings, in their unity as

34 Genesis

the crowning glory of His creation, God Him- self is revealed. Through all the majestic processes of the past, God had moved with un- erring wisdom and unchanging intention to- wards this self-expression of Himself in humanity, the ultimate meaning of which will only be known in the ages to come.

B. DEGENERATION.

iii.-xi.

I. OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

iii.

i. The Serpent and Man.

1-8

a.

THE SERPENT.

la

b.

THE ATTACK.

ib-5

c.

THE FALL.

6

d.

THE ISSUE.

7,8

ii. Jehovah.

9-24

a.

INQUISITION.

9-13

I. The Cry of God.

9

2. The Answer of Man.

10-12

3. The Answer of Woman.

13

b.

SENTENCE.

14-21

i. The Serpent cursed.

14. 15

2. The Woman sentenced.

16

3. The Man sentenced.

17-20

c.

PROPHECY.

15b & 21

1. The Seed of the Woman.

15b

2. The Coats of Skin.

21

d.

EXCLUSION. " LEST."

22-24

Degeneration 37

B. DEGENERATION.

As the first division of the book of Genesis answers questions arising in the presence of the created order; the second division replies to questions arising in view of the facta of sin and suffering and sorrow. How long man re- mained in the realization of his life according to the Divine purpose we have no means of knowing; certainly not more than a century. Seth was born when Adam was one hundred and thirty years of age, and after Abel's death. Abel was not born until after the Fall, and seeing that he had attained to manhood's age at death, it is evident that the period of human innocence and happiness was not more than a century.

In this section we have the account of the beginnings of human degeneration. The story tells of the degeneration of the individual, of the family, of society; gives the account of the Divine interpolation in judgment and mercy; and then tells of the beginning of national life and of its degeneration.

I. OF THE INDIVIDUAL

In approaching this section of the book of Genesis, the old question naturally arises as

38 Genesis

to whether the story is literal or allegorical, and in order to our study of the book it is necessary that some brief words be written on the subject. To make the story wholly alle- gorical is to cut away the foundation of Bible history, and to make it necessary to treat everything subsequently as allegorical. Real flesh-and-blood men are not begotten by myths. All that follows in the history of the Bible, both in Old and New Testaments, has to do with a race springing from a man. This is true even of the central Figure of the Bible, so far as His humanity is concerned. If the historicity of man is recognized, the facts of the story must be accepted as true.

On the other hand, to make the story wholly literal is to deny its fullest value. For in- stance, if the story be absolutely literal, then the final result of evil is the bruising of the heel of a man, and the bruising of the head of a snake. No one supposes this to be the case. It is perfectly patent that in this connection figures of speech are used.

The facts here recorded, as interpreted by the history which follows, are that we have an account of spiritual transactions in mate- rial life. The spirit of evil took material form in order to reach the essential spirit of man through his material being. We must there-

Degeneration 39

fore consider the material facts, always watch- ing for the spiritual significance.

The account of the degeneration of the indi- vidual falls into two parts; in the first of which the serpent and man are the central figures; while in the second everything gathers around the presence and activity of Jehovah.

i. The Serpent and Man

The section is introduced by the suggestive phrase, " Now the serpent," and the first mat- ter demanding attention is that of the being thus described. The word translated " ser- pent " (nachash) is derived from a root mean- ing to hiss or to whisper, and undoubtedly refers to a serpent as we understand the word.

It is at once evident, however, that the being thus described was not, at the time of his appearance to Eve, a reptile, for it is com- pared with " beasts of the field," and not with " creeping things."

Light is thrown upon the story by Paul, when in writing to the Corinthians he said, " I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted " ; and a little later in the same connection he declared, " Satan fash- ioneth himself into an angel of light."

40 Genesis

Bearing this in mind we turn to the prophecy of Isaiah, and find that in the course of the burden of Philistia he said, " Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken : for out of the ser- pent's root shall come forth a basilisk, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent." There the word " serpent " in the phrase " the ser- pent's root " is the word used in Genesis. Out of this comes literally a flying seraph (saraph m'opheph). In the story of the visitation in the wilderness the two words are brought into connection, nachashim saraphim, that is, liter- ally, serpents seraphs. Once again, in the great vision of Isaiah the same word is used (saraph) of the seraphim.

A comparison of these passages will help us to understand the Genesis story. Eve was beguiled by the serpent, that is, Satan, who fashioned himself as an angel of light. In order to appeal to her through the material, he took possession of a beast of the field, more subtle, that is, more cautious than any other ; and transformed it into the appearance of a fiery seraph, or in the words of Paul, " an angel of light." If this interpretation be ac- cepted, it is at least more easy to understand the willingness of the woman to listen; and this is in harmony with the whole Biblical

Degeneration 41

revelation of Satan and his methods. In the words of our Lord, " he is a liar and the father thereof," and his method is never that of pre- senting himself in the naked horror of his evil nature, or of choosing methods of approach which suggest that fact.

Thus the spirit of evil taking material form in order to reach the spirit of man through his material being, made his attack upon the cen- tral and vital principle of relationship between man and God, that namely of faith. The deepest note in the attack is that of this at- tempt to reflect on God. An appeal was made to the curiosity of the woman. She was en- gaged in a conversation which was aimed at undermining her confidence in God.

The deepest note in the fall of man is that of failure of faith, which issued in disobedi- ence, and proceeded necessarily to death.

Faith being lost, fear immediately suc- ceeded. There was no change in God to war- rant the hiding of man from Him. The change had taken place in man. The two principles of faith and fear are eternally an- tagonistic. Either can only flourish at the ex- pense of the other. So long as faith was the master principle of life, there was no room for fear. The goodness of God being called in question, man attempted the government of

42 Genesis

his own life by acting upon his own choice, and the first sheaf of the harvest of such action was that of the fear that hath torment.

ii. Jehovah

Man may hide from God, but he cannot escape Him, and it is indeed well that he cannot. In this section we have the account of the insistence of God upon the necessity for the maintenance of the authority of His throne, and a revelation of His determination to exercise that authority in holiness and in love. The movement is fourfold ; and consists of inquisition, sentence, prophecy, and exclu- sion.

a. INQUISITION

The first cry of God thrills with the pathos and tenderness of the pain of His heart. " Where art thou? " Man immediately con- fessed his fear, and thus was brought to the confession of his sin.

The spirit of pride was manifest in the at- tempt both of the man and of the woman to escape responsibility; he by attempting to place the blame upon the woman, with a veiled reflection upon God, in that he said, " the

Degeneration 43

woman whom Thou gavest " ; and she by blam- ing the serpent.

The infinite justice of God is manifest in this process of inquisition in that He allowed the man and the woman to state their case; and thus traced back the evil to its original source.

b. SENTENCE

In the sentences pronounced there is evi- denced the differentiation of strictest justice. The beast of the field which had been made the medium of Satanic purpose, was changed from one form of life to a lower. It thus became, not consciously to itself, but evi- dently to humanity, an abiding symbol of the degradation of the arch-enemy, who had slandered God.

The sentence upon the woman was that the distinctive and highest exercise of her nature, that of motherhood, should be associated with sorrow and with pain.

The sentence upon the man was that the highest activity of his life, that of toil, should be accompanied by weariness; that he should earn his bread in the sweat of his brow.

44 Genesis

C. PROPHECY

Intermingled with these words of sentence, and shining with the light of the Infinite Love, the earliest prophetic word foretelling a Di- vinely determined deliverance, broke upon human ears. The seed of the woman coming into being through birth pangs and travail would ultimately become the Deliverer, who through suffering would overcome the de- stroyer. This prophetic word was emphasized by the clothing of the man and woman in coats of skins. For the hiding of the naked- ness of which they had become ashamed, gar- ments were given which were provided at the cost of life.

d. EXCLUSION

Behind all the movements of law, the heart of Love was supreme. This was finally mani- fest in the exclusion of Adam and Eve from the tree of life, in order that they might not perpetuate the condition into which they had come as the result of sin.

II. OF THE FAMILY. *v., v.

i. The First Family. *».

a. THE TWO SONS. I, 2

i. Cain. I

2. Abel. 2

b. THE TWO OFFERINGS. 3-7 i. The Human Action. 3. 4a

2. The Divine Discrimination. 4b> 5<*

3. Cain and Jehovah. sb-7

c. THE TWO DEATHS. 8-16 i. Physical, of Abel. 8 2. Spiritual, of Cain. 9-16

a. Jehovah and Cain. 9-15

Investigation. 9, 10

Judgment. 11-14

Mercy. 15

p. Separation. 16

d. THE PROGRESS OF GODLESSNESS. 17-24 i. The First City. J7

2. Seven Generations. l8

3. 77j£ Progress. *9'22

4. 77}? Godlessness. 23> 24 <?. THE NEW SON. 25, 26

ii. The Families. v-

a. THE NEW LINE. 1-5

b. SEVEN GENERATIONS. 6-24

c. FOUR GENERATIONS. 25-32

Degeneration 47

II. OF THE FAMILY

The degeneration of the individual is trans- mitted, and this section covering a period, measuring by the ages of the men, of about fifteen hundred years, reveals the failure of family life ; dealing first with the first family ; and secondly, in broad outline, with the fami- lies succeeding.

i. The First Family

This is a story full of heart-break and dis- appointment. Eve named her firstborn Cain, meaning Acquisition, evidently in the hope that in him there was fulfilment of the promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent. How little she knew of the real nature of her own sin ! This firstborn was manifestly an inheritor of a fallen nature, and in all probability from the beginning there were manifestations of that wayward rebel- liousness, which ever tends to break the heart of fatherhood and motherhood; and which at last brings them to an understanding of the pain of God over their own sin. The second son she called Abel, that is Vanity, and thereby revealed the disappointment which had come to her through Cain.

The break-up of the family ideal is at once

48 Genesis

apparent. The brothers differed in the deep- est things of their lives. Cain brought as an offering the perfect result of his own toil. Abel also brought an offering which was con- nected with his calling; but in his offering there was the evidence of a consciousness of the need of sacrifice, resulting from a sense of sin.

The Divine discrimination was manifested in the rejection of Cain's offering, and the ac- ceptance of Abel's. The reason for that dis- crimination is plainly stated by the writer of the letter to the Hebrews. Abel was a man of faith; Cain was not. The one was godly; the other, in the deep things of his life, was godless. It is not correct to say that one man was accepted and the other rejected because of the difference in their offerings. It is true rather that the offerings were respectively ac- cepted and rejected, because of the difference in the men.

The dealing of Jehovah with Cain was that of a great patience, as He reasoned with him concerning the unreasonableness of his wrath, and told him that if he did well, he would be accepted; and secondly,1 that if he sinned, yet a sin-offering was provided.

1 It is commonly agreed that the Hebrew word here may mean " sin-offering," or " sin " ; and the decision as to which

Degeneration 49

The first death in the human race came by the way of murder. Death itself was the pen- alty of sin, but it was first executed by the hand of a sinner.

Again Jehovah came in immediate inqui- sition and judgment; and the murderer, oring- ing under the righteous stroke of punishment, uttered the complaint which had in it the ele- ment of a craven fear. The sentence was tempered with mercy in that the immediate physical death which he feared was postponed.

The action of the man was that of voluntary separation from God. The sentence, " Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah " does not mean that he escaped from the actual presence of God, for this is not possible to man. It rather indicates the fact that he cut himself off from recognition of the Divine gov- ernment and response to its claims, and Avent out to live his life in determined independence.

There follows an account of human progress, notwithstanding human godlessness, which is most remarkable. It is indeed the beginning of a history which continues until this hour; marriage, and children, and the building of a city without God. Seven generations are named, culminating in Lamech, who was the

meaning is accepted in this case must depend upon the general understanding of the passage.

50 Genesis

father of a most remarkable family. In Jabal, " the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle," we see the origination of commercial enterprise ; in Jubal, " the father of all such as handle the harp and pipe/' we have the initiation of the fine arts; in Tubal-cain, who was " the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron,"' the commencement of me- chanical skill; whereas in the fact that Naamah, his sister, is mentioned distinctively, we have the suggestion of the first movement towards the enfranchisement of women.1

The whole genius of this progress is crystal- lized in the song of Lamech. In him wre see a man repeating the sin of Cain; but now instead of the cringing fear of Cain, we find the attitude of daring independence as in poetic language he defended himself, and boasted of his safety. The song is the supreme expres- sion of the confidence of a man in his own ability to act without God.

A third son was born to Adam and Eve, and was called Seth, the appointed one, for his mother found in him compensation for the loss of Abel. From this son a new line commenced. Through Abel there was no succession. The posterity of Cain was subsequently swept

1 All this is dealt with in a most interesting way in Dr. Dods' volume in the " Expositor's Bible Series."

Degeneration 51

away in the Flood. Through Seth, therefore, the seed of the woman was preserved towards the ultimate victory.

ii. The Families *

The monotony of the story of the succession of families is almost wearisome. Neverthe- less the chronicle is full of value, first because it contains a condensed account of fifteen cen- turies of human history. The ruin of the race had come through man's belief in the lie of Satan, " Ye shall not surely die." Quietly and persistently through the centuries the Divine sentence was carried out; and as this section is carefully read, the continued repetition of the sentence, " and he died," indicates the vin- dication of God against the lie of evil. God is always vindicated in the coming and going of the centuries.

This chapter, with its account of the ages of these men, is of value as it reveals how early history was preserved. Adam was yet alive when Methusaleh was born, and Methusaleh was yet alive when Noah was born. Thus only one person forms a link of connection between Adam and Noah. The story of Cre- ation and the Fall may have been told by Adam to Methuselah, and by Methuselah to

52 Genesis

Noah. Add to this the fact that Noah lived to be contemporary with Terah, and probably with Abraham, and it is seen how few links there are needed to complete the chain of con- nection between Adam and the writing of the history.

The chapter finally is supremely valuable as it gives us the brief but beautiful picture of one man, Enoch, who through conformity to the will of God in life and conduct was translated that he should not see death; and thus God is seen vindicating, even in the midst of all the darkness, His power to triumph, by grace, over the consequences of evil, when man reposes his trust in Him.

Seven generations from Adam through Seth bring us to Enoch, who thus in all probability would be contemporary with Lamech, the seventh from Adam through Cain. From Enoch four generations bring us to the sons of Noah.

Thus the degeneration of the family is re- vealed, while yet over the whole history the light of the Divine purpose is falling ; and the hope and assurance of the ultimate victory of Grace are maintained.

III. OF SOCIETY.

vi. i-io

i. The Mixture of the Seeds.

1-4

a. THE TWO.

1,2

i. The Sons of God.

2. The Daughters of Men.

b. THE DIVINE DETERMINATION. 3

1. Judgment.

2. Respite.

c. THE NEW RACE. 4

i. Immediately.

2. Subsequently.

3. The Nature.

ii. The Result of the Mixture. 5-7

a. HUMAN DEGENERACY. S

i. Wickedness Great. 2. Only Evil Continually.

b. DIVINE INTERVENTION. 6, 7

1. Knowledge.

He saw . . . repented.

2. Emotion.

He grieved.

3. Volition.

" I will destroy."

iii. The Exception. 8-10

a. NOAH BEFORE GOD. 8

b. NOAH IN CHARACTER AND CONDUCT. 9

c. NOAH AND HIS SONS. 10

Degeneration 55

III. OF SOCIETY

With the passing of the centuries the de- generation of the individual and of the family became that of society at large. The story of that degeneration is briefly but graphically set forth in this section, in which we have an ac- count of the mixture of the seeds ; of the result of that mixture; and a portrait in outline of the man who was an exception to the abound- ing corruption.

i. The Mixture of the Seeds

The plain declaration of the text is that there was inter-marriage between the sons of God and the daughters of men, and that this was the cause of a yet deeper corruption than had been known before.

There have been two distinct interpretations of the meaning of this declaration. One affirms that this was a supernatural intermar- rying between angels and women. The other teaches that " the sons of God " were those descendants of Seth who dwelt alone, in sepa- ration from the descendants of Cain, main- taining the worship and service of the one God ; while " the daughters of men " were the descendants of Cain who had followed in the

56 Genesis

wake of their father who went out from the presence of the Lord, and were living without any recognition of the government of God. Again we have to say that it is not within the scope of our purpose to enter into this discus- sion, but it is necessary immediately to de- clare that the first of these views we hold as utterly unwarranted, and outside the realm of possibility; involving a conception which is entirely unnatural, and unwarranted by any teaching concerning angels or men to be found within the Divine Library. As in the genealogy of the Lord Himself in the Gospel according to Luke, Adam is finally spoken of as " the son of God " ; so we hold that those who, in association with Him, retained the worship of God, and yielded allegiance to Him, are referred to by the term, " the sons of God."

After a period then, the seed of Cain and that of Seth came into contact. On the part of the sons of God there was a lowering of the standard of loyalty to Him, as they inter- married with the daughters of the race that had turned its back upon Him.

In view of this, the Divine determination of judgment was declared in the wTords, " My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever " ; but a definite period of respite was also deter-

Degeneration 57

mined, that namely of one hundred and twenty years.

The result from the inter-mixture between the two seeds was twofold in the race pro- duced. There was in the first place a definite strengthening of that which was purely phys- ical and of the earth. A race of Nephilim, or giants resulted. The chronicler draws atten- tion to the fact that subsequently, or in his own words, " also after that," a similar result followed a similar activity, " when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them." The only other occasion where Nephilim are referred to is in the Book of Numbers, where they are described as " the sons of Anak " (xiii. 33) . As the Nephilim referred to in our section were certainly all swept away by the Flood, those described in Numbers must have been a sepa- rate race, springing from a similar cause ; but here it is distinctly affirmed that they were the sons of Anak. Anak was the son of Arba, the founder of the city of Kiriath, according to the book of Joshua (xv. 13) ; and Arba is distinctly affirmed to be a man in the same book (xiv. 15). This man is referred to in Genesis twice as the founder of the city which was subsequently named Hebron (xxiii. 2, xxxv. 27). In both cases therefore this kind

58 Genes

is

of inter-mixture resulted in the production of a strong physical race.

ii. The Result of the Mixture

The principal result was that of the ter- rible corruption now graphically described. The outward manifestation is recorded in the declaration that " the wickedness of man was great in the earth." This outward manifesta- tion is accounted for by the fact of an inward corruption, the terribleness of which is re- vealed in the statement that " every imagina- tion of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." The imagination, or purpose, or desire, was absolutely evil; as the signifi- cant words, " every," " only," " continually," reveal. There was no admixture of good. There was neither relenting nor repenting. The picture is one of utter and hopeless de- pravity. God was forgotten, or defied; and the flesh, with its passions and lusts, was reg- nant.

The story of the Divine intervention then follows. The action of judgment was the re- sult of the intimate knowledge of Jehovah. In view of the widespread and appalling corrup- tion " it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth " ; that is to say, His pur-

Degeneration 59

pose concerning those upon whom He looked was changed, because of their departure from His original purpose for them.

In this connection it should be carefully noticed that beyond this perfect knowledge of the condition, and this change of purpose, there was that deeper fact chronicled in words which startle us as we read, " It grieved Him at His heart." It is important that in read- ing this passage we should understand that the word " it " in both cases, refers to the cor- ruption of men, " it repented Him," and " it grieved Him." Thus the sin of man is seen causing sorrow to the heart of God ; and like a flash of light upon the darkness, the love and grace of His heart shine forth.

Nevertheless, in order to an ultimate sal- vation, it was absolutely necessary that there should be an immediate judgment. Already the Divine determination has been considered, that the Spirit of God should not always strive with man, but that a respite of one hundred and twenty years should be granted him. The declaration was now definitely made that man must be destroyed " from the face of the ground," because of his corruption.

60 Genesis

iii. The Exception

Among the prevalent corruption there was at least one man loyal to God; and that man became the instrument through whom it was possible for Jehovah to move forward towards the fulfilment of the deepest purpose of His heart.

Noah was a man who found favour in the eyes of Jehovah. His character is described in the declaration that he " was a righteous man, and blameless in his generations " ; and the whole of his conduct is expressed in the statement that he " walked with God."

To this man three sons were born, who shared with him in the immediate work of such co-operation with God by faith, as consti- tuted the method of God for the carrying out of this purpose.

THE DIVINE INTERPOLATION.

vi.

II— X.

i. The Corruption of the Earth.

vi.

11, 12

a. THE FACT.

b. THE DIVINE KNOWLEDGE.

ii. The Divine Action.

vi. 13 — viii. 19

a. THE PREPARATION.

vi.

13-22

I. Declaration to Noah.

13

2. The Ark.

14-16

3. The Covenant.

17-22

a. Judgment announced.

17

P. The Terms of Responsibility.

18-21

y. Obedience.

22

b. THE DESTRUCTION.

vii.

i. The Gathering into the Ark.

i-9

2. The Flood.

10-24

c. THE DELIVERANCE.

viii. 1-19

1. Safety in the Ark.

1-14

2. The Going Forth.

15-19

Degeneration 63

THE DIVINE INTERPOLATION

The story of degeneration is interrupted by the account of the intervention of God in judg- ment and in mercy, whereby He gave the fallen race a new opportunity. This parenthesis de- scribing this Divine action falls into three parts; the first being a brief restatement of the fact of the corruption of the earth; the second describing the action itself; and the third telling of the new departure issuing therefrom.

i. The Corruption of the Earth

The fact of the widespread corruption is described in brief but pregnant sentences, " the earth was corrupt . . . and . . . filled with violence " ; and the reason for this corruption was that " all flesh," that is humanity, " had corrupted his way upon the earth." Here the relation between the condi- tion of man and the condition of all creation beneath him is recognized. A fallen man means a ruined earth. At the centre of this description of corruption the declaration is made of the Divine knowledge, " God saw."

64 Genesis

ii. The Divine Action

The story of the Divine action is that of preparation; of destruction; and of deliver- ance.

a. THE PREPARATION

With Noah, the man walking in communion with Him, God held communion, telling him of the impending judgment, and of its reason. Moreover He brought this man into co-opera- tion with Himself for the preservation of a seed, and the bearing of a testimony to the godless world.

Minute instructions were given to Noah for the building of an ark in which he and those associated with him were to find refuge in the day of approaching catastrophe. Through the one hundred and twenty years of respite, dur- ing which the ark was being built, Noah was a preacher of righteousness.

God entered into a covenant with this man in which He first definitely announced the method of judgment, that He would bring a flood of waters and destroy everything wherein was breath; and secondly, indicated to him the terms of his responsibility, that he should enter into the ark with his imniedi-

Degeneration 65

ate family, and with those living creatures chosen for the perpetuation of their kind on the face of the earth.

The closing declaration, " Thus did Noah, according to all that God commanded him, so did he," is a remarkable revelation of his faith. Through all the period of the building of the ark he lived and worked by faith, being assured that in spite of all appearances to the contrary, the Divine determination must be carried out. It was a period of strange experi- ences. Godless men of great physical strength were, to all outward seeming, flourishing in material things. There can be no doubt that for material gain they co-operated with Noah in the building of an ark which they must have held in supreme disdain. All the while, by every blow struck, and every foot of work completed, space was given to them to repent, for by the construction of the ark Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Nevertheless it would seem as though none profited, and Noah's carpenters were finally destroyed out- side the ark which they had helped to con- struct.

Jj. THE DESTRUCTION

At last the work was completed, and the man who by faith had completed that which

66 Genesis

in the eyes of the world must have been the supreme evidence of his folly, entered, leaving behind him all his material possessions.

Then the stroke of judgment fell. The foun- tains of the great deep were broken up, the windows of heaven were opened, and the rain fell for forty days and forty nights, until the whole earth was covered, and man and beast, bird and reptile, save such as were within the ark, were destroyed.

The question of the righteousness of this swift judgment can only be raised by such as fail to notice carefully the corruption of the race in its nature and extent. The only way in which it was possible to ensure the eventual purity of the race was by the destruction of that which was utterly and irrevocably im- pure. Love, illumined by light, acts not 1 merely in the interests of the present moment, but of all the coming centuries. There is a severity which is of the very essence of tender- ness ; and the story of the Flood is an instance of the activity of the love of God.

Questions as to the universality of the Flood are not relevant to the story as it is written in the book of Genesis. All that this story suggests is that the destruction was co- extensive with the region occupied by man. The Hebrew word used uniformly for the earth

Degeneration 67

through this section {erets), is sometimes used of the whole earth, sometimes of a part of it, in the same way in which we may make use of the word " land." All that this ac- count demands is that we should understand that a corrupt race was swept away, and a godly remnant spared.

C. THE DELIVERANCE

Upborne upon the billows of judgment, the ark of salvation rode securely, holding within it all that was necessary for a new departure.

At last the work of judgment being fully accomplished, the waters abated; and the voice that had commanded Noah to enter, called him forth. What a stupendous moment it was in the history of the earth and of the race when this man emerged from the ark, which had been in the eyes of the world the evi- dence of his folly, but which in the economy of God had proved to be the way of his deliver- ance, and the vindication of his faith !

He who by faith had renounced everything in obedience to God, in spite of all appear- ances, now stepped forth, the sole possessor of the earth.

By his co-operation with God, a new day had dawned for the race, in which men would

68 Genesis

live, with the testimony of judgment accom- plished and deliverance wrought witnessing to them of the issues of sin, and the values of righteousness, within that government of God from which no human being can finally escape.

iii. The New Departure. National. ««. 20— x.

a. MAN IN RELATION TO GOD. viii. 20-22 i. An Altar and a Sacrifice. 20 2. An Acceptance and a Promise. 21,22

b. MAN IN RELATION TO CREATION. ix. 1-7 i. The New Duty. Replenish. J

2. The New Government. Dread. 2

3. The New Food. Flesh. 3.4

o. Permission. 3

p. Restriction. 4

4. The New Safeguard. Life for Life. s. 6

5. The New Duty repeated. 7

c. THE COVENANT AND ITS SEAL. ix. 8-17

1. The Parties. 8"10

a. God. /3. Man. y. Creation.

2. The Terms. lI

3. The Sign. I2_IS

4. 77i£ Activity. l6> x7

d. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE NATIONS, ix. 18— x.

1. The Three Sources. ix- l8» l9 a. Sliem. p. Ham. y. Japheth.

(PARENTHESIS. ix. 20-29

0. The Sin of Noah. 20, 21

/3. The Action of his Sons. 22, 23

Ham. 22

Shem and Japheth. 23

y. The Prophecy of Noah. 24-27

The Curse.

The Blessing.

6. The Death of Noah. 28, 29)

2. The Three Streams. x-

a. Japheth. 1-5

p. Ham. 6-20

y. Shem. 21-32

Degeneration 71

/«

iii. The New Departure. National.

The final movement in this story of the Divine activity of judgment gives the account of the new departure issuing therefrom ; deal- ing in sequence with man in relation to God ; man in relation to creation ; the covenant and its seal ; and the beginnings of national life.

a. MAN IN RELATION TO GOD

This brief paragraph is full of significance as it reveals the first things in the life of Noah, when coming forth from the ark, he found him- self delivered from judgment, and established in possession. His first look was Godward, and his first act the erection of an altar, and the offering of sacrifice.

This attitude and this activity were an- swered by God in a declaration full of grace. The sacrifice was acceptable to Him as a mani- festation of Noah's sense of the true way of approach, and the necessary foundation of fel- lowship. Jehovah's knowledge of the corrupt nature of humanity is declared, but hence- forth He will not deal with sin by judgment through Nature; and the great promise was made that the natural order should continue, the seasons follow each other in regular pro- cession, and day and night not cease.

72 Genesis

b. MAN IN RELATION TO CREATION

The new order was initiated by the bestow- ment of a blessing upon Noah and his sons, which was accompanied by the indication of a new duty, that of replenishing the earth.

The first note of change is found in the word which declared man's new relation to the lower orders. In Eden he had governed by love, and his own inherent kingliness. Through the loss of that kingliness resulting from the Fall, he had lost his true power of dominion ; and now that dominion must be exercised by a fear and dread of him, directly implanted by God in all the lower orders over which man must rule.

In this connection also an important change was made in the Divine permission for human sustenance. In addition to the green herb of the past, animal food was permitted, while important restrictions were made in that per- mission, preparing the way for the whole sac- rificial system to be made known in process of time.

An addition, moreover, was made to the law of human inter-relationship. Henceforth man was himself to hold in his hand a sword of justice. A sterner rule than that of family discipline was set up. Life was safeguarded by the severe enactment that if it were taken,

Degeneration 73

whether by beast or man, the one guilty of the offence should pay the penalty by the for- feiture of life. Man, from this time forward, was himself to insist upon obedience to these laws.

This brief statement of the new conditions ended as it began, with the injunction to be fruitful and multiply. The earth was to be re-peopled by a race living under these new conditions.

C. THE COVENANT AND ITS SEAL

In ratification of the promises made in the new order initiated, an actual covenant was now made between God and man, and a token of the covenant chosen and established.

The word " covenant " suggests reciprocal responsibilities. It reminds man that the promises of God are conditional, and that the obedience of man is in that respect conditional also. God will be free not to fulfil His promises if man fails in faithfulness to the terms of His covenant. Man will be free to act independently of God only when he can prove that God has failed in the fulfilment of His word. This covenant was strictly one between God and man, but the whole creation was involved.

74 Genesis

This covenant was not now made for the first time, for it was referred to when Noah was taken into the counsel of God concerning coming judgment. It had long existed, though it had never been expressed in exactly these terms. The relation between man and God from the beginning had been that of mutual obligation. Now, however, an addition was made in the promise of God to the race as such, that He would never again destroy by a flood of waters.

A sign of the covenant was chosen and estab- lished as such ; that namely of the bow in the cloud. We do not for a moment imagine that the rainbow had never appeared until now. All that is necessary is a recognition that at this time God appropriated an existing wonder as the sign and seal of the new terms of the covenant. It was in itself a beautiful and appropriate symbol. The rainbow is the child of sun and rain, and thus is ever significant of judgment in its relation to love.

That bow was made a sign at which man looking, should remember the word of God. It was a sign also to God Himself ; for in grace, and in order to enable man to understand that grace, He promised that He would look at the bow and remember. Thus in the contempla- tion of the bow in the cloud there was estab-

Degeneration 75

lished a spiritual union between God and man.

d, THE BEGINNINGS OF THE NATIONS

We now come to the larger outlook \ipon this new departure. First the sons of Noah are again named as the sources from which the one race would flow into different channels, and so constitute the great nations of the earth.

Then follows a story which can only be spoken of as sad and awe-inspiring. We have considered the new beginning, and immedi- ately are plunged with a startling suddenness into the story of a new fall. Noah had stepped out into a most remarkable opportunity. He stood possessor of a world from which corrupt men had been swept away. He had entered into a new covenant with God, the seal of which was the bow in the cloud. Behind him there lay the impressive experiences through which he had passed; and before him the solemn responsibilities of the coming race. In the midst of these circumstances Noah yielded to fleshly appetite, and became drunk.

In the presence of the degradation of their father, the character of the sons was mani- fested. One, himself degraded in nature, yielded to curiosity and whispering. Two of

76 Genesis

them, ashamed of the sin of their father, while yet reverencing him, attempted to hide him, and to cover his shame.

The cursing and the blessing which fell from the lips of Noah were not capricious sentences which he passed upon his sons. They consti- tuted rather a clear statement of the tendency of character. The man in the grip of evil, moves toward slavery; while men influenced by purity and love proceed to government and to blessing. From these men the nations were to spring.

This story in parenthesis ends with the ac- count of the death of Noah.

The account of the beginnings of the nations ends with the story of the dispersion of the sons of Noah and their families after the Flood.

The descendants of Japheth moved toward the islands, or the coast-lands. The descend- ants of Ham moved toward the plains of Shinar, and thence on. The descendants of Shem moved toward the hill country of the east. It is not possible for us to define very clearly geographically, the districts occupied by these different descendants of Noah. It is perfectly clear, however, that their goings forth were under a direct Divine guidance, even though they may not have been conscious of it.

Degeneration 77

Christian ethnologists still claim that the races to-day may be clearly traced back to these revealed origins. Paul preaching at Athens declared, not only that God " made of one every nation of men for to dwell on all thg face of the earth," but also that He did so, " having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation."

IV. OF THE NATIONS. *i.

i. Confederacy. *-4

a. A SETTLEMENT. 1, 2 i. The Place.

2. The Arrest.

b. AN ACTIVITY. 3,4

1. Preparation. Let us make Brick.

2. Process. Let us build

A City. A Tower.

3. Purpose. Let us make a Name.

Lest we be scattered. ii. Confusion. 5-9

a. THE DIVINE INSPECTION. 5

b. THE DIVINE INTERFERENCE. 6-9

1. His Understanding of Purpose. 6

2. His Staying of the Process. 7-9<*

3. His Making Void of the Preparation. 9&

iii. Continuity. 10-33

a. SHEM TO ABRAM. 10-26

b. THE MOVE OF TERAH. 27-32

1. Toward Canaan. 37-310

2. To Haran. $lb. z2

Degeneration 79

IV. OF THE NATIONS

This is the final section of the division deal- ing with degeneration. The process of degen- eration, from the individual, through the family and society, has been considered.

Following upon the judgment of God by means of the Flood, the race entered upon a new period of its history, and under the guid- ance of God the descendants of the sons of Noah were sent forth to the different parts of the world in order to replenish the earth. Thus a new national movement was initiated. This final section tells the story of the degener- ation of these nations, and it falls into three parts; the first dealing with the confederacy of the nations ; the second with the confusion of tongues; and the third with the continuity of the Divine purpose through one branch of the race.

i. Confederacy

In our previous study we saw that the dis- persion of the sons of Noah was according to the purpose of God, and the direction of that dispersion was under His government.

Now we have the account of a movement against dispersion, which was a definite act of

80 Genesis

rebellion against the government of God. There is first the story of how the people of one language and of one speech, journeying in the east, discovered a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. This settlement was reactionary, an attempt on the part of these men to ensure solidarity and continuity, by their own wit and wisdom.

Settlement in the plain of Shinar was fol- lowed by the building of a city, and then the proposition that a tower should also be built.

The underlying purpose of the building of the tower is revealed in the statement of the people, " Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." This scattering of the people upon the face of the earth in order to its replenish- ing was the purpose of God ; and consequently the action of settlement was that of a rebellion against His government.

It is interesting immediately to notice that this plain of Shinar was the site of Babylon, which according to Biblical history had here its beginning, and which plays so large a part in the whole subsequent story of the conflict between good and evil, in the processes of the centuries and millenniums.

Degeneration 81

ii. Confusion

This rebellious purpose of man was frus- trated by the confusion of tongues. Adopting language suited to human understanding, the writer of the story declares that " Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower," which is a declaration of the fact of the Divine knowledge of the doings of men.

His understanding of their purpose is made perfectly clear, and an account is given of how He stayed the process of their rebellious at- tempt. Men suddenly found themselves speak- ing in terms which were perfectly intelligible to themselves, but unintelligible to those to whom they were addressed; and therefore, of course, listening to speech that had no mean- ing to them, while it evidently had meaning for those who were uttering it. It is not at all difficult to imagine the confusion that would ensue.

This is undoubtedly the account of a direct supernatural intervention, and acceptance of the story necessitates belief in the possibility of such definite intervention by God in the affairs of men. Again it is not within our scope to discuss the possibility of these things ; but it is well to remember that any argument which is valid against the story of the con-

82 Genesis

fusion of tongues at Babel, is equally valid against the account of the gift of tongues at Pentecost.

iii. Continuity

At this point the sacred history is narrowed. The lines of development through Ham and Japheth are omitted, and the generations of Shem are given. This process of elimination constitutes the selection of that branch of the race from which a man was about to be chosen, out of whose loins a new nation would spring, from which, in the fulness of time, the great Deliverer Himself should come.

With this genealogy the division of the book of Genesis specifically dealing with the origins of degeneration comes to an end. Through all the subsequent history the outworking of the principle of degeneration will be manifest, just as through the history already considered, the line toward regeneration has been clearly marked.

The final point of interest in this section is that in its last part we have the record of the first actual movement toward the adoption of a simple faith in God as the one law of life. Terah, born a little over two hundred years after the Flood, in process of time left Ur of

Degeneration 83

the Chaldees. While it is not positively stated that this was in response to a call from God, nor that it was a movement of faith, yet the fact that the movement was in the direction of the Divine intention, would seem to% sug- gest that it was indeed so.

It is to be noticed in this connection, how- ever, that it is recorded concerning Terah, "And Terah . . . went forth ... to go into the land of Canaan ; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there." If we may believe that this movement, which is distinctly de- clared to have been one toward Canaan, was indeed in response to a call from God, and a movement of faith; then it is to be observed that it was a step in the right direction, but it lacked persistence. Terah paused half-way, and dwelt at Haran until he died. The reason for the halt is not declared, and perhaps it is wiser not to speculate here beyond that which is revealed.

The final fact then is that the true man of faith, who is to be the father of the new nation, is seen acting so far under the in- fluence of his father, and bound by the earthly tie, abiding with him in Haran until the hour of his death.

C. REGENERATION. xii.-l.

I. OF INDIVIDUALS. xii.— xxxv. 21

i. Abraham. xii.— xxv. 10

a. FIRST COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH, xii. 1-6

1. The Call of Jehovah. *-3

o. The Personal Call. i

0. The Purpose declared. 2

y. The Promise made. 3

2. The Obedience of Abram. 4-6

a. Toward the Land. 4

fi. Into the Land. 5

y. Through the Land. 6

b. SECOND COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH, xii. 7-9 i. The Promise of Jehovah. 7a 2. The Response of Abram. 7^-9

0. An Altar.

p. A Tent and an Altar.

Regeneration 85

C. REGENERATION.

Beginning with the words, " Now, Jehovah said unto Abram," the last division of ^ne book of Genesis is a history of the Divine move- ment towards regeneration. That movement is traced in its operation in the case of indi- viduals; of the family; of society; and of a nation.

I. OF INDIVIDUALS

The first section in this division, which is by far the largest, deals with the Divine activity in the case of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

i. Abraham

As the matter of fundamental importance in this book is that of the regeneration of the individual, in preparation for all that is to follow; so within that consideration the supreme subject is the Divine dealing with Abraham, and the account of that dealing occu- pies the largest part of this section.

This proceeds in orderly sequence in the narration of seven distinct communications of Jehovah with this man; interspersed by the

86 Genesis

account of three equally distinct deflections from faith on his part; with certain paren- theses which chronicle collateral events which have a bearing upon the main story.

a. FIRST COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH

The movement towards regeneration com- menced in the Garden of Eden. It had never ceased in the purpose and economy of God. Degeneration had wrought itself out through individual, family, social, and national life; and now begins the actual working of God in human history towards the victorious Seed promised in the Garden.

The first movement was that of the calling of a man who should be the father and founder of the nation from which the victorious Seed should come. In this paragraph we have the account of the call of Abram by Jehovah. In the closing paragraph in our study of the pre- vious division of the book of Genesis we saw Abram acting under the influence of his father, bound by the earthly tie, and abiding with Terah in Haran until the hour of Terah's death. The call of Jehovah now came to him as a personal call. He was commanded to sever the ties of all past associations, and to go forth, governed wholly by the will of God.

Regeneration 87

The personal element and the principle of obedience are both clearly marked in the direct nature of the appeal made to Abram, " Get thee out ... I will show thee ... I will make of thee ... I will bless thee."

Not only was the call personal, it was also a clear and distinct revelation of purpose. This man was called to be the father of a nation through which " all the families of the earth " were to be blessed.

The obedience of Abram was immediate. He succeeded where Terah had failed. " They went forth to go into the land of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan they came." The con- trast with the action of Terah as recorded in the words, " And Terah . . . went forth . . . to go into the land of Canaan ; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there," is striking. Abram moved toward the land, entered into the land, and passed through the land. His companions on the pilgrimage of faith were his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot. This action was a venture of faith.

b. SECOND COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH

The obedience of Abram to the first call of Jehovah prepared the way for further develop- ment. Arrived in the land, He immediately

88 Genesis

appeared to him again, and declared that the land into which he had come would be given to his seed.

Every appearance was against the possibility of the fulfilment of this promise, for " the Canaanite was then in the land."

Faith immediately rose into a higher activity, and conquered in spite of appear- ances. Abram pitched his tent in the land, and by that act indicated his claim of posses- sion ; immediately following this, by the erec- tion of an altar he indicated his allegiance to Jehovah. Thus the tent and the altar became the true expressions of the life of faith. The tent was pitched in the land which Jehovah had promised. It was, nevertheless, a tent, and could be moved at the Divine command. The altar was erected as a symbol of the necessity for sacrifice in approach to God, and also as an indication of his confidence in the possi- bility of fellowship as he walked in the path of obedience.

c. FIRST DEFLECTION OF ABRAM. xii. 10— xiii. 13

i. Down into Egypt. xii. 10-20

a. The Cause. 10

/3. The Fear. 11,12

7. The Dishonesty. 13

S. The Difficulty. 14-16

e. The Divine Interference. 17

f. The Rebuke of the Pagan. 18-20

2. 5ac& Jo Bethel. xi»- 1-4

a. From Egypt. 1 , 2

p. To the Tent and the Altar. 3, 4

3. Separation from Lot. 5-13

a. 77ie Occasion. 5-7

/3. 77te Counsel of Abram. 8, 9

y. The Choice of Lot. 10, 11

S. The Separation. 12, 13

Regeneration 91

-ft

C. FIRST DEFLECTION OF ABRAM

The next story is that of a deflection on the part of Abram from the principle of faith. Jt falls into three parts ; the first being the story of his descent into Egypt; the second that of his return to Bethel ; and the third that of his separation from Lot.

1. Down into Egypt

The cause of the deflection was that of a sore famine in the land. In the presence of this difficulty Abram attempted to make personal arrangements for his own safety by going down into Egypt. Directly a man steps aside from the Divinely marked path, even for reasons which appear to be the most politic, he in- variably finds it necessary to take care of him- self in other directions than he intended. Ap- proaching Egypt, he was filled with fear on account of Sarai; and he attempted to secure his own safety, and hers, by declaring that she was his sister.

The folly of all such attempts is at once made evident, as we have the startling situa- tion of the chosen mother of the promised Seed in the harem of Pharaoh.

Jehovah, however, guarded the issue of His

92 Genesis

own purpose against the mistakes of His in- strument, Abram, and by plaguing the house of Pharaoh, wrought deliverance. The final picture of Abram in Egypt is full of sug- gestiveness, as he, the man of faith, the instru- ment of the Divine purpose, was rebuked by the pagan king for his dishonesty.

2. Back to Bethel

Being thus delivered by the action of God, Abram set his face again toward the line of the Divine purpose, and returned to Bethel, " where his tent had been at the beginning . . . unto the . . . altar which he had made there at the first." In this connection we have a revelation of the victory of faith over failure. Happy is the man who, having turned aside from the simple pathway of evident obedience, in the consciousness of his wrong, dares to go back to first principles.

3. The Separation from Lot

It was at the crisis of this return from Egypt that separation took place between Abram and Lot. The occasion was that of strife between the herdsmen, but the deeper reason was that of the different principles governing the lives

Regeneration 93

of the two men. Abram was following God; Lot had been following Abram; and while he also, in his deeper life, desired to be loyal to God, the lack of direct communion with EFhn resulted in the clouding of his vision, and the lowering of his ideal.

Abram, with that magnanimity and rest- fulness which ever result from perfect confi- dence in the guidance of God, counselled sepa- ration, and allowed Lot, the younger man, to choose his own location.

In the hour of crisis Lot made his own choice, and it was the choice of a man attempt- ing compromise. The conflict of his desire is revealed in the phrases, " Like the garden of Jehovah . . . like the land of Egypt." If these two things could be made contributory to each other, then he imagined his success would be ensured ; and this seemed to be made possible in the plain of the Jordan, where the simple life might yet be cultivated in prox- imity to the cities which were the centres of commerce. Thus attempting compromise, Lot pitched his tent in the direction of Sodom.

THIRD COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH, xiii. 14— xiv.

i. The Word of Jehovah. xiii- *4-i7

a. The Command to look. 14

/3. The Double Promise. 15, 16

Possession of Land. 15

Greatness of Seed. 16

V. The Command to Possess. 17

2. The Response of Abram.

a. The Tent moved. 0. The Altar built.

3. The Deliverance of Lot. a. The Battle of the Kings, fi. The Trouble of Lot.

y. The Interference of Abram.

His Defeat of Chedorlaomer.

The Coming of the King of Sodom.

The Coming of Melchizedek.

The Ministry of Sustenance.

The Blessing.

The Tenth. The King of Sodom and Abram.

The Offer of the King.

The Refusal of Abram.

18

xiv.

i-ii

12

13-24

13-16

17 18-20

22-24

Regeneration 95

d. Third Communication of Jehovah

Immediately succeeding the separation be- tween Abram and Lot. and indeed in close con- nection therewith, we have the account of the third communication of Jehovah, with its record of the word of Jehovah ; the response of Abram; and the subsequent and consequent deliverance of Lot.

1. The Word of Jehovah

This third communication of Jehovah to Abram is remarkable in that it sets Abram in direct contrast to Lot in every way. Lot, in response to the selfish desire for his own en- richment, had chosen for himself, and now Jehovah declared His choice for Abram. Lot had chosen by sight ; he " lifted up his eyes, and beheld." Abram by faith had chosen not to choose for himself, but to leave himself en- tirely to the direction of Jehovah; and now Jehovah brought him into the place of sight on the basis of his faith. Lot had lifted up his eyes in answer to his own impulse. Now Je- hovah commanded Abram, " Lift up now thine eyes," and he did so in answer to the Divine command. Lot having thus chosen, obtained, but was unable to possess. Abram trusting

96 Genesis

God, received from Him the title-deeds to all the land, even including that which Lot had chosen for himself.

The first word of Jehovah to him was the command to look, and this was immediately followed by the twofold promise, first that he should possess the land ; and secondly, that his seed should be multiplied. The last Divine word was a command to possess the land, be- cause it was given him by Jehovah.

2. The Response of Abram

Abram immediately moved his tent, and pitched it at Hebron, and there built an altar to Jehovah.

In this connection his faith is seen moving on to a yet higher level. It had enabled him to abandon what were his undoubted rights in the magnanimity of his treatment of Lot. It now triumphed again over appearances as it moved farther into the land which was possessed not merely by the Canaanite, but part of which seemed to have become the possession of Lot.

The strength of faith is most clearly seen in this action which depended upon the promise of a seed, which was to be as the dust of the earth. The fulfilment of such a promise

Regeneration 97

must at that time have seemed to Abram to be contrary to the probabilities of Nature. Nevertheless he moved farther into the land, to indicate his right therein. *

3. The Deliverance of Lot

Our next picture reveals Lot and Abram differing in circumstances resulting from the principles upon which they had respectively acted. Lot had chosen upon the basis of com- promise. Abram had accepted the choice of God. Lot was in trouble through his associa- tion. He had chosen his position, having pitched his tent toward Sodom ; and finally, as the narrative reveals, he had moved into Sodom. Desiring Sodom's privileges, he had adopted Sodom's policy, and had become a sharer of Sodom's peril. Abram, the man for whom God had chosen, is seen in the place of separation from the peril, living in quietness and in prosperity.

The Jordan valley was invaded by Chedor- laomer, the king of Elam, in association with three other kings. Against these four, five kings of that region were joined in battle. Chedorlaomer was successful, and carried away spoil from Sodom and Gomorrah, taking Lot with him.

98 Genesis

The news of the trouble of Lot was brought to Abram, and while through his loyalty to faith he was dwelling in safety in this time of peril, he was capable of strong sympatic, and at once went to the help of Lot, gaining a complete victory over the kings, and bringing Lot and his whole company back again from captivity.

The deterioration in the character of Lot is seen in the fact that while even the king of Sodom expressed his gratitude to Abram, no word of thanks is recorded as having been spoken by Lot. Moreover, so much Avas his heart set on the things of Sodom, that notwith- standing this experience, he went back, and again took up his abode there.

After the conflict with the kings the man of faith was refreshed by the appearance to him of Melchizedek. Very remarkable is this appearance at this point. No other reference whatever is made to this man Melchizedek, save by a New Testament writer who uses him in the matter of his priesthood, as a type of Christ. The meeting between these two men was remarkable in every way. Melchizedek brought out bread and wine, and thus exer- cised a ministry of sustenance and refreshment in the case of Abram, who was returning from a conflict inspired by faith, in which he had

Regeneration 99

been victorious, but which had undoubtedly brought weariness, and the need of such help. On this man of faith Melchizedek pronounced the blessing of God Most High: and Abram responded by giving to this king and priest a tithe of all the spoil.

The king of Sodom in gratitude to Abram offered him all the goods which he had rescued from the foe; and Abram refused the reward, thereby manifesting his faith anew.

The blessing of Melchizedek had been all that his heart desired, and it is interesting to note that in refusing the rewards offered by the king of Sodom, he quoted the very words of Melchizedek, " God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth."

The lessons of this story are obvious. In the case of Lot it is seen that the voice of God disobeyed, becomes unheard, and the most startling circumstances fail to arouse the con- science. In the case of Abram it is seen that a right attitude toward God creates a right attitude toward all men. He was eager to help Lot, recognized the superiority of Melchi- zedek, and was quick to perceive the danger of receiving gifts from the King of Sodom.

e. FOURTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH. xv.

i. The Word of Jehovah. 1

The Affirmation. Safety and Reward.

2. The Response of Abram. 2, 3

Faith asking the Questions of Doubt.

3. The Answer of Jehovah. 4> 5 a. Assurance.

fi. Vision, y. Prophecy.

Communion.

6-21

0. The Conditions.

6

Abram believed.

Jehovah counted it for Righteousness.

|8. The Exercise.

7-21

The Declaration of Jehovah.

7

The Question of Abram.

8

The Sign.

9-17

Sacrifice commanded.

9

Sacrifice offered.

10

The waiting Worshipper.

11

The Vision of Darkness.

12

The Voice. The Future foretold.

13-16

The Vision of Light.

17

The Covenant.

18-21

Regeneration 101

e. FOURTH COMMUNICATION OP JEHOVAH

The account of the fourth communication of Jehovah with Abram is exceedingly full of beauty, as it sets before us the growing but reverent familiarity of this man of faith with God. In its consideration we shall notice first, the word of Jehovah; secondly, the response of Abram; thirdly, the answer of Jehovah to that response; and finally, the communion be- tween Abram and Jehovah resulting there- from.

1. The Word of Jehovah

That this communication of Jehovah with His servant was directly connected with the events we have been considering, is suggested by the opening words, " after these things " ; and the graciousness of its message is even more apparent when this is remembered.

Abram had just passed through two con- flicts, the first with kings, the second with the suggestion of enrichment from the treasury of Sodom.

In both he had been victorious, and now the Divine voice declared first, " I am thy shield," which reminded him of the secret of his victory over the kings ; and secondly, " I

102 Genesis

am . . . thy exceeding great reward," which reminded him that he had lost nothing when he refused the reward offered by the king of Sodom. Jehovah is the shield of men of faith in the day of conflict, so that they may rest in Him. Jehovah is the reward of the men of faith in the hour of temptation, so that they may wait for Him.

2. The Response of Abram

In response to this declaration the faith of Abram moved on to a still higher level. It now became strong enough to speak to God of the temptation to doubt which was in his heart. Doubts will inevitably be suggested to the men of faith, and in the economy of God they create an opportunity for the determined exercise of foith. Of this opportunity Abram availed him- self. The promise of God to him had been clear and definite, that he should become a great nation; but he was conscious that hu- inaoly speaking, his life was far advanced, and so far he was childless.

3. The Answer of Jehovah

Jehovah answered him with a definite decla- ration that Eliezer should not be his heir, and

Regeneration 103

the equally definite promise that a son should be given to him. He then bade him look upon the stars, thus giving him a sign in the heaven^, and declaring that his seed should be like those stars. The point of the illustration here is to be found in the words, " If thou be able to tell them." Abram could not do so, but Jehovah could. So was his seed to be. Looking at the stars he knew that there was order where he could not discover it, number where he could not follow it, purpose where he could not trace it; and all that constituted the symbol of the fulfilment of the promise of God to him.

4. Communion

Then follows one of the most mystic and yet beautiful pictures of communion between God and man which the book of Genesis con- tains. The conditions of that communion are revealed in the declaration, which is really at once the conclusion of the former paragraph and the commencement of this. Abram " be- lieved in Jehovah," that is, very literally, he built on Him. Jehovah responded to that faith by counting it to the man for righteousness. Thus Abraham entered into fellowship with Jehovah by faith, and Jehovah entered into fellowship with Abram by grace.

104 Genesis

Jehovah now repeated to Abram the promise that he should inherit the land, and Abram asked Him for a sign. This asking for a sign was not the asking of unbelief. Signs are never granted to unbelief. They are granted to faith.

Abram was called to prepare sacrifices, which he immediately did.

There followed a period of waiting, during which Abram in the attitude of worship, drove away the birds that would have settled upon the carcases.

With the going down of the sun he fell into sleep, and a horror of great darkness settled upon him. In that darkness a voice declared to him the future experience of those who would spring from his loins. His seed would leave the land, and go into captivity for four hiiDdred years, and afterwards return with great substance. He, however, would pass in peace to his fathers before these things hap- pened.

This distinct prophecy was followed by a significant vision of a smoking furnace and a lamp ; the furnace symbolical of the trial which was to come, and the lamp of the light and leading which would not cease, even in the midst of the days of difficulty.

At the close of the vision Jehovah made a

Regeneration 105

covenant with His servant, in which He de- clared that He had given him the land.

It is always a daring thing to seek a sigB. If it be done in unbelief, it meets with refusal. If on the contrary it is the request of faith, the answer may bring some revelation full of sadness. The man to whom God can tell His ways must live very near to Him; and even where this fellowship exists, it is a question whether it is not better to walk quietly with Him, than to seek signs from Him.

f. SECOND DEFLECTION OF ABRAM. xvi.

1. The Fact. 1-4

a. The Suggestion. i, 2a

/3. The Consent. 26-4

2. The First Results. s» 6

a. Sarai despised. 5

0. Hagar driven out. 6

3. The Interference of Jehovah. 7-I3

o. 77ze Command to Hagar. 7-9 /S. 77i£ Promise to Hagar. rj^ 13

4. 77j<? I?/W/i 0/ Ishmael. J4-i6

Regeneration 107

f. SECOND DEFLECTION OF ABRAM

The previous history of Abram has made it abundantly evident that the principle of faith is the soundest philosophy of life. Faith builds on God, and is satisfied with Him, and thus becomes the source of all righteousness. Faith, therefore, is the highest activity of rea- son. This truth stands out in startling vivid- ness by contrast with the story of this second deflection of Abram from the pathway of faith. This is the account of the attempt on the part of Abram, at the instigation of Sarai, to realize the purposes of God by human contrivance.

Abram began to reap the harvest of his folly almost immediately in the bitterness that sprang up in his household, and the ultimate flight of Hagar through Sarai's harsh dealing with her.

The far-reaching result of this failure can only be known by a study of the subsequent history. The posterity of Ishmael became a cause of perpetual trouble to the posterity of Isaac. Where faith fails, evil is wrought, the issues of which are far-reaching.

There is a very beautiful part to this story, as it reveals the compassion of the heart of God. Hagar, helpless and undone, fled in her misery to the wilderness; and there the angel

108 Genesis

of the Lord appeared to her, and commanding her to return, promised her that her son should become a great nation.

Hagar recognized God, and signified that recognition by naming the well by which she had in all probability sunk exhausted, Beer- lahai-roi, that is, The well of the living One Who seeth me.

FIFTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH. xvii.

i. The New Unveiling. J» 2

a. The Affirmation. la

0. The Requirement. ib

y. The Promise. 2

2. The Response of Abram. Worship. 3a

3. The Covenant. 3&-14

o. The Promise of Jehovah. 3^-8

The Fact of the Covenant. 36-4 The Change of Name to ABRAHAM. 5

The Fruit of the Covenant. 6

The Continuity of the Covenant. 7, 8

p. The Responsibilities of Abraham. 9-14

To keep the Covenant. 9

The Sign of Circumcision. 10-14

4. The Promise of the Son. J5-i7

a. The Change of Name to SARAH. 15

0. The Son promised to her. 16

y. Abraham's Joy. 17

5. The Plea for Ishmael. l8_22

a. The Request. 18

/3. The Refusal. 19

y. The Promise for Ishmael. 20-22

6. The Obedience of Abraham. 23-27

The Rite of Circumcision.

Regeneration 111

g. FIFTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH

In connection with the fifth communication of Jehovah with Abram we again have the ac- count of a lengthened communion, during which the story alternates between the revela- tions of Jehovah and the answers of Abram.

1. The new Unveiling

This is now the fifth direct communication of Jehovah with Abram, and it opens with a great word, first of affirmation, then of com- mand, and finally of promise.

The affirmation is, " I am God Almighty." This is the first occurrence of this particular title in the book of Genesis, and it is a title which declares, not so much the might of God, as His resources; and the idea of the word would be better conveyed by the title, God All- sufficient, than God Almighty. The root idea of the word here employed would warrant us in saying that the thought is of God as the God of the breasts, the One from whom all sup- plies for the sustenance of life are gained.

This affirmation prepares the way for the commandment that Abram is to walk before God and be perfect. It is in the strength of

112 Genesis

the resources of God that man is able thus to walk.

The final word is that of the promise of the covenant between God and His servant.

2. The Response of Abram

This word of God gave Abram an enlarged conception of Him. Having known that He was his reward, there now stretched before him a vaster territory than he had known ; and in response to this revelation he fell on his face in the attitude of worship, faith rising to a yet higher level as it appropriated the greater revelation.

3. The Covenant

The Divine response to this attitude of wor- ship was that of the yet more detailed decla- ration concerning the covenant; and as in his adoring prostration there had come to him an enlargement of life, that enlargement was sig- nified by the change of his name to such a form that henceforth its very appearance and its every utterance would remind him of the great promise of his God.

In connection with this change of name from 'Abram, which signified an exalted father, to

Regeneration 113

Abraham, which signified the father of a mul- titude, he was promised that the fruit of the covenant should be the making of a great na- tion, and the coming of kings. Moreover, the covenant was to be continuous in its value, as Jehovah declared that He would establish it between Himself and the seed of Abraham throughout their generations.

Having thus declared the terms of the cove- nant on the Divine side, Jehovah charged His servant that he also, and his seed throughout their generations, must be true thereto.

This covenant was to be sealed by the symbol of circumcision, which was to be the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible re- lationship. It may be observed, in passing, that it is well that we should remember that while this rite was indeed the sign of a spiritual relationship, it was not capricious and cruel, as some have imagined. On the con- trary, it was hygienic and beneficent. Medical science in recent years has agreed to the value and wisdom of the rite.

This command was most emphatic and stringent. Not only those born in the house, but those bought with money were made amen- able to its requirement.

114 Genesis

4. The Promise of the Son

Having thus declared the terms of the covenant, and indicated its sign, Jehovah changed the name of Abraham's wife from Sarai, the meaning of which is uncertain, to Sarah, which signifies a princess, promising him that she should become the mother of na- tions.

At this point we find what is perhaps the key to the whole of this chapter, for in re- sponse to this promise, Abraham again fell upon his face in an attitude of worship, while in his heart he laughed, and expressed his won- der at the promise made.

There is no evidence that the laughter was that of unbelief, as it undoubtedly was in the case of Sarah subsequently. The questions which he asked are not evidences of failure of faith. The most natural interpretation of the story is that his laughter was that of a great gladness at the bare idea; and even if the questions which he asked seemed to suggest doubt, it should be recognized that the fact of asking them on his face before God, in the attL tude of worship, is the supreme evidence of the triumph of his faith.

Regeneration 115

5. The Plea for Ishmael

In this attitude of adoring joy Abraham gave utterance to something which was evi- dently occupying his mind.

Ishmael had grown up to be a boy of thirteen years of age, and evidently and naturally had found his way into the heart of the old man. Abraham asked God if Ishmael might be the one through whom the promise was to be ful- filled.

There was nothing in the answer of Jehovah that suggested discipline, but rather a great tenderness, and the re-affirmation of the Di- vine purpose. God is ever patient with us when the heart clings in affection to some method which is not His own. He never allows the man of faith, however, to have his own way. There is a kindness which would be cruel. There is an apparent cruelty which is of the essence of kindness. God ever adopts the latter as the method of His procedure.

While it was impossible that Ishmael should be the instrument for the fulfilling of the Di- vine purpose, He nevertheless promised Abra- ham that he, Ishmael, should become a great nation.

116 Genesis

6. The Obedience of Abraham

When this period of communication with Jehovah ended, Abraham acted in immediate obedience in the circumcision of Ishmael, and all his household, those born in the house, and those bought with money.

h. SIXTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH. xviii.

1. The Appearance of Jehovah. 1> 2a

Three Men.

2. The Hospitality of Abraham. 2°-8

o. Worship. 2b

p. The Asking Permission. 3-50

y. Consent given. $b

S. The Feast. 6-8

3. The reiterated Promise. 9-15

a. The Definite Declaration. 9, 10a

p. Sarah's Unbelief. iob-12

y. The Rebuke. 13-15

4. Co-operation. 16-33

a. The Confidence of Jehovah. 16-19

p. The Secret told to Abraham. 20, 21

y. The Intercession of Abraham. 22-33

The first Plea. (Fifty.) 22-26

The second Plea. (Forty-five.) 27, 28

The third Plea. (Forty.) 29

The fourth Plea. (Thirty.) 30

The fifth Plea. (Twenty.) 31

The sixth Plea. (Ten.) 32, 33

Regeneration 119

ll. SIXTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH

In this sixth Divine appearance to Abra- ham, different phases of relationship between God and Abraham are revealed. Taken as a whole it presents a remarkable picture of fel- lowship. Jehovah visited Abraham ; Abraham provided hospitality for Him; Jehovah reiter- ated His promise to Abraham ; and finally Je- hovah and Abraham are seen in co-operation with regard to Sodom.

1. The Appearance of Jehovah

Three visitors are spoken of in connection with this manifestation to Abraham, but One is evidently supreme. The three are spoken of as men, while One is subsequently called Je- hovah. The two named in the next chapter are called angels.

There can be no reasonable doubt that the third is the Angel-Jehovah Who appears fre- quently in the history of the Old Testament.

2. The Hospitality of Abraham

The picture of Abraham providing for these visitors lovingly and gladly of his best, is a very beautiful one; beautiful in its revelation

120 Genesis

of his love and loyalty, but more beautiful still in its manifestation of the grace of Jehovah, Who is willing to be the Guest of such as en- tertain Hin .

3. The reiterated Promise

We next see Abraham receiving, instead of giving. Jehovah repeated His gracious prom- ises to him with more of detail, and that patiently, notwithstanding the laughter of Sarah, which laughter was tenderly rebuked.

The true life of faith is never taken un- awares by the goings of God. On the contrary, it is ever ready and eager to make what pro- vision it can for any manifested need.

4. Co-operation

Jehovah now made a communication to His faithful servant, and the reasons for His doing so are stated. Abraham in the Divine economy was the deposit of blessing to all nations. It was fitting, therefore, that he should know the meaning of the Divine dealing with Sodom. Through this declaration made to him, his chil- dren would subsequently know that the de- struction of Sodom was no mere incident, but the distinct punishment of unrighteousness.

Regeneration 121

Abraham was thus provided with an explana- tion of something about to happen, which would enable him to use it as a warning of vast importance. *

The answer of Abraham to the confidence of Jehovah reveals the reason of the interces- sion which followed. This was based, not so much on his desire to save Sodom or any that were in it, though these matters also had a place in his thought. It was born rather of a consciousness of the strict justice of God, and an anxiety for the vindication of His char- acter among the nations. He declared that God could not destroy the righteous with the wicked, and announced his reason for such declaration in the question, " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? " To Abra- ham such a proceeding would appear to be un- righteous, and he therefore declared that God could not do it.

Upon the basis of this conviction he inter- ceded, and God graciously listened to him, as- suring him as his intercession proceeded, that his conviction was right, and that the city would be spared if ten righteous could be found therein.

It is a wonderful picture of the patience of God. He will always listen to honest interces- sion, even though He knows that His ways are

122 Genesis

infinitely better than the fears that prompt our prayers. Moreover He answers our spoken requests; and when we have exhausted the limit of our own hope, He goes beyond it, and saves the two or three in whom any trace of the recognition of Himself is to be found, out of the fire.

(PARENTHESIS. THE STORY OF LOT. xix.

1. The Visit of the Angels to Sodom. *m*i

a. Lot receives them. 1-3

P. The Wickedness of the Men of Sodom. 4-9

y. The Angels rescue him. 10-13

2. The Plea of Lot with his Sons-in-law. 14

3. The Escape of Lot. 15-23

a. Hastened by the Angels. 15-17

/3. Permitted to go to Zoar. 18-23

4. The Divine Judgment. 24-28

o. The Cities destroyed. 24, 25

/3. Lot's Wife. 26

y. Abraham's Vision. 27, 28

5. The Secret of Lot's Escape. 29

6. The Sin of the Daughters of Lot. 30-38)

o. Moab. (8. Amnion.

Regeneration 125

PARENTHESIS. THE STORY OF LOT

1. The Visit of the Angels to Sodom

This story is a sequel to that of the sixth communication of Jehovah with Abraham. In that, as we have seen, three men appeared, One of Whom was evidently supreme. In this we see two of them who are now described as angels, coming to Lot. The contrast is strik- ing. Lot is seen sitting in the gate of Sodom. By this time he occupied a position of authority, for the phrase is almost equivalent to saying that he had become chief magistrate of the city. This was not the promotion of faith. Success in the eyes of Heaven is of a different kind, and this is revealed in the con- trast between the attitude of the angels to- ward Abraham, and their attitude toward Lot. With the man of faith all three could eat ; here the two would hardly enter his dwelling.

Lot knew the sin of his own city, and with great boldness attempted to deliver the men of the city from proposed wickedness, and his visitors from their attempted attack. His de- fence, however, was quite useless, for the men of Sodom had not been influenced by him to- ward goodness, and therefore anger was aroused against him.

126 Genesis

This story of Lot is full of the most solemn warning. First, he chose selfishly; then he pitched his tent toward Sodom; then he en- tered in ; and finally he occupied a position of chief responsibility. The utter worthlessness of all this success is manifest. The man who attempted to compromise with principle was hated of Sodom, had lost his personal peace; his testimony was paralyzed, and he was ut- terly unable to influence the city toward right- eousness. He was delivered from the threaten- ing of the city by the angels whom he was at- tempting to defend.

2. The Plea of Lot ivith his Sons-in-Law

His failure is even more strikingly and sadly revealed in the fact that he had not only lost his influence with the city, but with the mem- bers of his own family. He had given his chil- dren in marriage to the sons of Sodom, and now " he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one that mocked."

3. The Escape of Lot

Yet once more the determination in the char- acter of this man is vividly portrayed. In sight of judgment he lingered, and was only

Regeneration 127

-&

saved as angel hands laid hold on him, and practically forced him forth. Even when thus compelled to flee from the coming judgment, he attempted to make selfish arrangements for the future, pleading that he might be permitted to go to Zoar, and his request was granted. The insidious power of the world is utterly appalling.

It must be remembered that notwithstand- ing all this failure, the New Testament de- scribes this man as " just Lot." His deepest desire was right. His failure was due to his making an attempt at compromise. Such an attempt is always disastrous in the life of faith.

4. The Divine Judgment

The destruction of the cities of the plain was due to an utter corruption following upon godless prosperity. The stroke of Divine judg- ment did not fall until the cup of inquity was full. An opportunity was created for the manifestation of their guilt in the visit of the angels. In the attitude of the men of Sodom toward these visitors, the whole unutterable pollution flamed forth.

Another evil result of Lot's sojourn in Sodom is revealed in the fate which overtook his wife.

128 Genesis

The picture of Abraham is very beautiful. He had interceded for Sodom, and now stood in the place where he had met Jehovah, look- ing toward the cities of the plain. From that position of safety, and yet of pity, he saw the smoke of the burning.

5. The Secret of Lot's Escape

As Abraham looked upon the burning cities his prayers were not unanswered, for " God re- membered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow." Thus the deliver- ance of Lot was not due to anything in his own life, but to the prevailing intercession of the man of faith.

6. The Sin of the Daughters of Lot

The last paragraph in this sad story is a very terrible one, revealing the final effects of the failure of Lot. His daughters, utterly de- moralized, were guilty of griveous sin ; and in the passing of the centuries, the result of that sin was a perpetual scourge to the men of faith, in the hostility of Moab and Ammon.

THIRD DEFLECTION OF ABRAHAM. xx.

i. The Sojourn in Gerar. J

2. The Dishonesty. 2

3. God and Abimelech. 3-7

o. Appearance and Warning. 3

0. The Plea of Abimelech. 4, 5

y. The Answer of God. 6, 7

5. Abimelech and Abraham. 8-18

o. The Rebuke of the Pagan. 8-10

p. The Confession of Abraham. 11-13

y. The Gifts of Abimelech. 14-16

S. The Prayer of Abraham. 17, 18

Regeneration 131

l. THIRD DEFLECTION OF ABRAHAM

After his victory over the kings, Abraham journeyed south, and took up his abode in Gerar. This was the centre of a race of men who in all probability had driven out the original possessors of the land, were becoming more and more warlike, and were afterwards to become known as the Philistines.

As Abraham approached, an old fear re- curred, and he practised again that dishonesty with regard to Sarah, which had brought him into trouble in Egypt.

Through the medium of a dream, God warned Abimelech of his peril ; and in his plea of integrity and innocency addressed to One Whom he recognized as the supreme Lord, there is an evident revelation of the influence produced by the destruction of Sodom and Go- morrah. This is clearly manifest in the form of his question " Lord, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation? " The answer of God recognized the integrity of the man's heart, and affirmed His care for him, warning him as to what his course of action ought to be.

Again we have the picture of the pagan king, that is, a king outside the covenant of promise and revelation, rebuking this man of faith. The nobility of Abraham is manifest in his

132 Genesis

open confession of what he had done. The ac- count of the incident closes with the gifts of Abimelech presented to Abraham, and the prayer of Abraham offered for Abimelech.

These deflections from the pathway of a simple and obedient faith in the life of Abra- ham did not occur in the greater things of his life, but rather in the application of the prin- ciple of faith to the smaller details thereof. This was the second time that Abraham at- tempted in his own wisdom, to steer clear of a danger which he feared ; and on each occasion he ran upon the very rocks he dreaded. The results were that the man who stood as a wit- ness for Jehovah, was driven to the practice of deceit, failed in the testimony he ought to have borne, and consequently suffered the degrada- tion of being censured by these men.

Our deflections from faith occur most often through our failure to allow God to undertake in the small matters of life. Some business worry, or home difficulty, or personal danger, drives us to acts that dishonour the Master. That is the man of supreme faith who waits for God in the commonplaces, as well as in the crises.

;. THE FULFILMENT OF PROMISE. xxi. 1-7

i. The Birth of Isaac. x"3

2. The Circumcision of Isaac. 4

3. The Joy of Sarah. 5-7

*. THE SEPARATION OF ISHMAEL. 8-21

i. The Action of Sarah. 8"10

2. The Grief of Abraham. "

3. The Command of God. I2> *3

4. 77ie Obedience of Abraham. *4

5. 77k? Action of God. 15-21

o. 77t<? Hopelessness of Hagar. 15, 16

0. The Care of God. 17-19

y. The Growth of Ishmael. 20, 21

(PARENTHESIS. 22-34 THE COVENANT OF ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH.

1. The Plea of Abimelech. 22> 23

2. The Terms of the Covenant. *4-33

a. The Difficulty. 24-26

0. T/i* Sign. 27-30

y. 77ie Friendship. 3J-33)

Regeneration 135

;. THE FULFILMENT OF PROMISE

At last, in God's set time, and in spite of all natural difficulties, the long-promised soft was born, and was named Isaac, which means laughter. When the boy was eight days old, he was circumcized, according to the terms of the covenant between Abraham and Jeho- vah.

In this connection it is interesting to notice carefully the language of Sarah, " God hath made me to laugh ; every one that heareth will laugh with me." She had laughed before, with the laughter of incredulity, and God had re- buked her. Now she laughed again, and de- clared, " God hath made me to laugh," a strik- ing revelation of the loving tenderness with which God ofttimes turns the incredulous laughter of a fearful heart into the glad laugh- ter of realization. In all the merriment of unbelief there is an admixture of bitterness. There is some laughter that is more sorrow- ful than any tears. When God causes the heart to laugh, it is always the expression of a full and generous satisfaction. And yet again, laughter God-created is contagious. " Every one that heareth will laugh with me."

136 Genesis

Jv. THE SEPARATION OF ISHMAEL

There is something vivid and startling in the story which follows. Ishniael, at the time about sixteen years of age, in all probability realized that with the birth of Isaac, his hope of succession had passed away; and it seems as though he had indulged in merriment at the expense of Sarah and Isaac; the word trans- lated " mocking " carrying the idea of making sport.

This attitude of Ishmael was the reason of Sarah's demand that he and his mother the Egyptian should be cast out.

The demand filled the heart of Abraham with grief, because of his love for Ishmael.

In this crisis of difficulty he received the definite command from God to do as Sarah demanded, because that in Isaac his seed would be called. At the same time God promised that Ishmael should become a nation, because he also was the seed of Abraham.

Abraham immediately obeyed the Divine command. Then follows the tender and beau- tiful story of God's care for Hagar and Ishmael.

This picture of Hagar's going forth with her son is full of pathos. It was necessary, and is of great value in its revelation of the

Regeneration 137

fact that whatever stands in the way of the purpose of God must be cast out. The princi- pal value of the story is the part the casting out of Ishmael played in the history of Abra- ham. His presence in the household was a menace, both to its peace, and to Abraham's simple acquiescence in the way of bringing about the Divine end.

In his obedience we see faith triumphing magnificently, for in spite of personal inclina- tion, and in simple obedience to the command of God, he sent the child of the bondwoman forth; and thus leaned back wholly and only upon the Divine provision for the fulfilment of the promise.

PARENTHESIS. THE COVENANT OF ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH

The account of the covenant which Abraham made withAbimelechis interesting as it reveals an apparent approximation to definite recogni- tion of God on the part of Abimelech. It was certainly based, so far as Abimelech was con- cerned, upon the clear recognition of the fact that God was with Abraham. In the case of this man, therefore, there was a fulfilment of the Divinely declared purpose of the calling of Abraham, that in him others should be blessed.

138 Genesis

It is by no means certain that the word " Abraham " in verse thirty-three is correct. As a matter of fact it is inserted as exposi- tion, not occurring in the actual text; and it is quite as likely, and more so, that Abimelech planted the tree.

This at least seems certain, that notwith- standing the previous failure of Abraham's faith, which had brought about his rebuking by Abimelech, the deeper fact of the existence of his faith in God had influenced this man, and brought him into covenant relationship with God through Abraham.

There seems to be no reason to think that in this covenant made upon the basis of the recognition of God, there was anything con- trary to the purpose of God. The friendship existing between these two men as the result of that covenant, based upon that recognition, affords an illustration of the influence which might have been growingly exerted by the peo- ple of faith, had they been true to God.

/. SEVENTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH, xxii. 1-19

1. The Call of God. i» 2

a. The Purpose. To prove. 10

p. The Test. Isaac. \b, 2

2. The Response of Abraham. 3-1°

o. The Journey. 3, 4

/3. The Word of Faith. 5

y. The Inquiry of Isaac. 6, 7

S. The Answer of Faith. 8

e. The Act of Faith. 9, 10

3. The Interference of God. "» I2

o. The Arrest. 1 1

/S. 77«? Approval. 12

4. 77j<* Action of Abraham. I3, 14

a. 77i? Sacrifice. 13

p. T/ie Confession. 14

5. 77ie Ratification of Covenant. J5-i9

a. T/;e Recognition of Faith. 15, 16

/3. TVie Promise of Blessing. 17, 18

y. The Return of Abraham. 19

(PARENTHESIS. THE SEED OF NAHOR. xxii. 20-24)

Regeneration 141

I. SEVENTH COMMUNICATION OF JEHOVAH

The account of the seventh communication of Jehovah with Abraham is one that will al- ways be attractive, not only on account of its own interest, but also because it so constantly finds its counterpart in the experience of the life of faith. In the history of Abraham it was a trial without apparent reason, coming suddenly, and without explanation, and of the most desolating nature. It was, moreover, the hour of a supreme triumph. In the history of Abraham's personal faith it is certain that here we reach the highest height. He passed through the fiercest fires, endured the greatest pressure, as his faith was put to the most tremendous strain, and he triumphed.

The story is told with great simplicity and clearness. We have in orderly succession, the call of God, the response of Abraham, the in- terference of God, the consequent action of Abraham, and the resulting ratification of the covenant.

1. The Gall of God

The first declaration is that of the purpose of God in this experience. " God did prove

142 Genesis

Abraham." The time of this proving must be carefully noted. It was " after these things." Ishmael had been sent out, and the last hope for the realization of the Divine pur- pose, apart from the Divinely arranged plan, was gone. This fact made the test all the more severe.

The fact that God did prove Abraham is in itself suggestive. He confers honour when He proves. He did not prove Lot ; Sodom did that. God proves the man who is proof against Sodom.

The test was the severest possible. God asked for Isaac, the one on whom the love of Abraham was supremely set; but more, the one through whom, and through whom alone, the promises of God to Abraham could be ful- filled to all human appearance.

2. The Response of Abraham

The obedience of Abraham has often been described as though it was obedience at the cost of great suffering. There is no trace in the Scripture narrative to warrant that view. That is what we might expect to find, and what would be found in the case of any man who was walking by sight, A natural reading of this story suggests rather that in the case of

Regeneration 143*

Abraham the strength of faith completely overcame all such consciousness of suffering. His obedience was active, ready, and quick; and this because of his absolute faith in God. Rising early in the morning, he made all preparation, and took his journey toward the place appointed.

Arrived there, his word to the young men was a most remarkable revelation of his faith. " Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder ; and we will worship, and come again to you." The verb " come again " is first person plural, as well as the verbs " go " and " worship." We will go . . . we will worship ... we will come again. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews referring to this, declared he counted that God was able to raise him from the dead; and that is the explanation of this word of faith addressed to the young men. The man who really be- lieves in God is ever able cheerfully to obey Him, because present sacrifice is set in the light of the necessity for the fulfilment of de- clared purpose. Abraham rested in God rather than in any blessing He bestowed, even though that blessing were Isaac.

The inquiry of Isaac concerning the lamb brought forth an answer from Abraham, which again was a revelation of his faith. " God will

144 Genesis

provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offer- ing."

The hour for the activity of faith arrived. Abraham's purpose was perfectly manifested in the altar built, his son laid upon it, and his hand uplifted. His intention undoubtedly was to slay his son in obedience to the voice of God, which asked that he should be offered for a burnt offering.

That intention was nerved by the certainty of faith that God was bound by His covenant to raise up seed through that son. To any one acting in obedience to sight only, suffering would have been inevitable, and sacrifice im- possible. Faith saw beyond the sacrifice, and was able gladly to obey. We have no right to interpret this story by natural affection which is sense-bound. It must be interpreted by its own simplest statement, and everything in the story testifies to the quick readiness of Abraham's obedience. There is not a single trace of reluctance on the part of Abraham at any point.

3. The Interference of God

In the moment when the offering was actu- ally and absolutely made in the will and pur- pose of the man of faith, the hand of Abra-

Regeneration 145

ham was arrested by the call of the angel of Jehovah, and the word of Divine approval.

.4. The Action of Abraham

The obedience of Abraham was manifested as conspicuously in the fact that he did not slay his son, as in his willingness to do so. Lifting his eyes, he beheld a ram caught in the thicket, and immediately slew and laid it upon the altar in the stead of his son. He named the place Jehovah- jireh, thus testifying to the fact that the faith that prompted obedi- ence was vindicated in experience. This is the perpetual experience of those who eome to such an hour of triumphant faith. vThe only responsibility is that of obedience. All other, such as the fulfilment of purpose, is not upon the man of faith, but upon the God in Whom his faith reposes.

5. The Ratification of Covenant

This obedience on the part of Abraham was followed by the repetition to him of all the great and gracious promises made in connec- tion with his calling out from Ur of the Chal- dees, and his coming into the land. His faith was recognized, and the great promises of

X

146 Genesis

blessing were repeated. The blessing resulting from his faith was to fall upon him, upon his seed, and through that seed upon all the na- tions of the earth. In new strength and new light resulting from this great experience, Abraham returned to Beer-sheba.

Obedience to the call of God, whatever that call may be, is the whole duty of man. The only principle which is equal to the fulfilment of that duty is that of an absolute faith in God. Such faith not only triumphs over suffering, but in the proportion of its strength, cancels it.

PARENTHESIS. THE SEED OF NAHOR

This is a brief paragraph, the value of which will be discovered later. It gives the account of the posterity of Nahor, the brother of Abra- ham, as far as Rebekah ; and thus prepares the way for the story of the winning of the bride of Isaac, which almost immediately follows.

m. LAST THINGS IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM, xxiii.— xxv. 10

i. Death of Sarah. xxiii.

o. The Death recorded. i, 2

0. The Procuring of the Grave. 3-18

The Request for a Burying-place. 3, 4

The Response. 5, 6

The Request for Machpelah. 7-9

The Response. 11

The Contract. 12-18

The Price offered and accepted. 12-15

The Price paid. 16

The legal Ratification. 17, 18

•y. The Burial. 19, 20

Regeneration 149

m. LAST THINGS IN THE LIFE OP ABRAHAM

In this section we have the account of cer- tain matters completing the personal history of Abraham, and preparing the way for that of Isaac. They are those of the death of Sarah ; the choosing of a wife for Isaac ; and the final records of Abraham.

1. Death of Sarah

Here Abraham is seen in the midst of cir- cumstances of natural sorrow which reveal his character. Sarah, who had ever been to him a princess, was taken from his side; and in her removal he lost what undoubtedly had been the strongest human prop to his faith. She had accompanied him all along the path- way of obedience from Ur of the Chaldees. She had shared his darkness and his blessing. She had doubtless sometimes been the cause of fear and of faltering; but more often she had strengthened him.

In this hour of his sorrow, Abraham is seen as a man full of the dignity that results from faith. He was first of all a mourner. These are his first recorded tears. Faith never kills affection, and the man was keenly alive to the

150 Genesis

loss he had sustained. Yet sorrow is held in check by faith ; he " rose up from before his dead."

His action was inspired by faith. He did not take Sarah back to Ur, but bur- ied her in the land which God had given him.

His dealing with the sons of Heth concern- ing the burying-place reveals the true and necessary independence of one who is depend- ent upon God. The land was a gift to him from God, but he would not receive part of God's gift as a gift from the sons of Heth. He asked them for a burying-place, and their re- sponse was a revelation of the high esteem in which he was held by the people of the land. Having obtained their consent, he then definitely asked for the field containing the cave of Machpelah. Ephron readily consented, and then the contract was entered into be- tween them; Abraham offering, and Ephron accepting, a definite price.

There he buried Sarah, and thus his first actual possession in the land was a grave. In this fact there is a teaching and a prophecy. God ever begins where man ends. The sor- rows of life reveal a man's true character as nothing else can. Faith weeps beside its dead, and then moves out to fulfilment of duty as

Regeneration 151

it puts a check on sorrow. Faith takes hold on earth's greatest despair, death ; and makes it the occasion of a possession which holds within itself all the future.

2. Choosing a Wife for Isaac.

xxiv.

a. The Commission.

1-9

The Oath asked.

i-4

The Discussion.

5-8

The Oath taken.

9

/3. The Mission.

10-61

The Meeting with Rebekah.

10-27

The Journey.

10

The Prayer.

n-14

The Answer.

15-25

The Thanksgiving.

26, 27

The Arrangement with Bethuel and Laban.

28-61

The Reception.

28-33

The Statement.

34-49

The Consent.

50-60

The Journey.

61

y. The Marriage.

62-67

Isaac sees Rebekah.

62, 63

Rebekah sees Isaac.

64,65

Eliezer's Report.

66

The Marriage.

67

Regeneration 153

2. Choosing a Wife for Isaac

This chapter is complete in itself, and con- stitutes a perfect idyll. Its colouring is Eastern and gorgeous, but it is nevertheless full of teaching concerning principles of ac- tion. Its place in the history we are consider- ing must not be overlooked, for that history forms a background, giving a true interpreta- tion of the doings of the figures seen in the foreground. There are three clearly defined movements in the story ; the commission ; the mission ; and the marriage.

ex. The Commission

Abraham was now well stricken in years. Sarah was dead. Isaac, the son of promise, was still unmarried. In the choosing of a bride for his son, Abraham acted upon the one principle of faith. It was of the utmost impor- tance that he should not marry the daughter of a Canaanite. Such a marriage would un- doubtedly have meant an alliance which would have given him a human right in the land ; but faith declined a disobedient mixture which might have been prompted by policy merely. Neither must Isaac return to Haran. There can be no going back for the seed of faith, even

154 Genesis

if the woman sought will not come to him. It is necessary that a wife should be secured from his own kindred, and directly under the Divine guidance, and that she should be willing to accept the principle of faith, and prove her acceptance by leaving her own kindred, and joining the pilgrim of faith in the far country. In commissioning his servant to seek such a wife, Abraham asked him to commit himself to the enterprise by a solemn oath, and after discussion, Eliezer did so. Abraham had per- fect confidence in God in this matter also, as is evident from his word to Eliezer, " He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence."

fi. The Mission

The influence of Abraham's faith is seen in the method adopted by his servant. Having come " to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor," he first of all prayed to God. Having done this he proposed a test, seeking the guid- ance of God through that test. He asked that the woman who should be the chosen of God, should in response to his request for water, say, " Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also."

This test was not capricious. It is a clear

Regeneration 155

revelation of this man Eliezer's appreciation of character, and his conception of the kind of wife that would be fitting for his master's son. Such an answer as he asked for would reveal a nature characterized by hospitality, sim- plicity, and humility.

His prayer was answered by the coming of Rebekah, " very fair to look upon " ; simple and direct of speech, eager and ready to serve. He immediately marked his recognition of the Divine guidance by bestowing presents upon her, and bowing his head in the attitude of adoring gratitude before God.

This is all very Eastern, and the method of choosing a bride for another has of course passed away. Yet surely there are underlying principles of present and permanent applica- tion. Marriage for the people of faith should ever be entered into within the compass of the recognition of the Divine government and guidance. Moreover, the choice of husband or wife by the children of faith should ever be based upon character.

Eliezer now entered the home of Bethuel, being welcomed by Laban, whose words were those of gracious hospitality, which the narra- tive leaves us no room to doubt were prompted largely by the valuable presents which his sis- ter had received. Conscious of the importance

*

_*

154

Genesis

V^j

I

if the woman sought will not come to him. It is necessary that a wife should be secured from his own kindred, and directly under the Divine guidance, and that she should be willing to accept the principle of faith, and prove her acceptance by leaving her own kindred, and joining the pilgrim of faith in the far country. In commissioning his servant to seek such a wife, Abraham asked him to commit himself to the enterprise by a solemn oath, and after discussion, Eliezer did so. Abraham had per- fect confidence in God in this matter also, as is evident from his word to Eliezer, " He shall send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence."

A The Mission

The influence of Abraham's faith is seen in the method adopted by his servant. Having come " to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor," he first of all prayed to God. Having done this he proposed a test, seeking the guid- ance of God through that test. He asked that the woman who should be the chosen of God, should in response to his request for water, say, " Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also."

This test was not capricious. It is a clear

**

Regeneration

155

revelation of this man Eliezer's appreciation of character, and his conception of the kind of wife that would be fitting for his master's son. Such an answer as he asked for would reveal a nature characterized by hospitality, sim- plicity, and humility.

His prayer was answered by the coming of Rebekah, " very fair to look upon " ; simple and direct of speech, eager and ready to serve. He immediately marked his recognition of the Divine guidance by bestowing presents upon her, and bowing his head in the attitude of adoring gratitude before God.

This is all very Eastern, and the method of choosing a bride for another has of course passed away. Yet surely there are underlying principles of present and permanent applica- tion. Marriage for the people of faith should ever be entered into within the compass of the recognition of the Divine government and guidance. Moreover, the choice of husband or wife by the children of faith should ever be based upon character.

Eliezer now entered the home of Bethuel, being welcomed by Laban, whose words were those of gracious hospitality, which the narra- tive leaves us no room to doubt were prompted largely by the valuable presents which his sis- ter had received. Conscious of the importance

156 Genesis

of his mission, Eliezer declined to eat until he had told his errand. He then laid before the family the real meaning of his mission ; telling them how Abraham had sent him ; how he had sought the guidance of God; how in the coming of Rebekah there had been granted to him the fulfilment of the sign he had asked; and, finally how, in the presence of that an- swer, he had bowed his head and worshipped.

As Laban appears before us, his masterful- ness is at once manifest in the way he acted as host in the house of his father, and in the very fact that his name is mentioned before that of Bethuel, in the consent given for the departure of Rebekah. Finally Rebekah her- self was asked, and her answer, " I will go," was surely the answer of faith. In giving it she was following in the footsteps of Abraham, as she turned her back upon her country, and her kindred, to share the fortunes of one whose very existence was the outcome of faith, and whose life-principle was also that of faith. Her going with Eliezer was the going of faith. However much Rebekah failed in after-life, there is no reason to doubt that in this story we see her hearing, not in the same way in which Abraham did, but nevertheless quite surely, a call of God, and obeying it in a sim- plicity full of beauty.

Regeneration 157

Again the Eastern colouring is picturesque and beautiful as we see the cavalcade passing back over the long distance, carrying Rebekah towards her new home.

y. The Marriage

Isaac, the man of quiet, passive faith, was meditating in the field at eventide, and from that position he saw the advancing company. There Rebekah first saw him, and in answer to her inquiry was informed by Eliezer that this was indeed his master's son. She veiled herself, and approached the meeting. The faithful servant reported to Isaac all the things that he had done; and thus the mission was accomplished in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah.

Apart from all the details of the far-away land we have a beautiful picture of an ideal marriage. It is that of the union of a man and woman upon the basis of identity of principle. By faith Isaac waited, and by faith Rebekah obeyed. It was, moreover, a union of opposites. In Rebekah, faith was adventurous and bold; in Isaac, it was meditative and meek. Two lives were made one upon the basis of response to a common principle. Two natures, utterly different, yet complementing each other, were

158 Genesis

made one in order to the fulfilment of Divine purpose.

Alas ! that in the days to come, through fail- ure, each will be seen degenerating through response to the purely natural within them, ungoverned by the principle of faith ; degener- ating, until Isaac will love a son upon the basis of receiving venison to feed his fleshly desire ; and Rebekah will stoop to counselling, and ar- ranging deceit for another son, in order to the accomplishment of that purpose upon which her faith takes hold.

In the present picture the shadows have not yet gathered ; and the faith of Abraham is seen rewarded in the union of his son Isaac, a man of passive faith, with Rebekah, a woman whose faith was adventurous and bold.

The final Records of Abraham, xxv. i-io

a. His Re-marriage. 1-4

His Wife. 1

His Children. 2-4

p. The Separation of Isaac. 5, 6

The Gift to Isaac. 5

The Sending away. 6

■y. Death and Burial of Abraham. 7-10

His Age. 7

His Passing. 8

His Burying. 9, 10

Regeneration 161

3. The final Records of Abraham

The final things concerning Abraham are grouped in this passage, because he is now t*o pass out of sight ; and the history is to gather round Isaac, and proceed to Jacob. We have first the record of the fact that he married an- other wife, named Keturah ; a list of the chil- dren born to him of that marriage, and some of their descendants, is given.

Then we have the account of an action by which he separated Isaac from all these, and from all other of his descendants. This he did by the bestowment of all his possessions upon Isaac, with the exception of certain gifts to these descendants. Bestowing gifts upon them, he sent them away from Isaac into the east county, thus leaving him in possession.

The last fact recorded is that of his death, and his burial. This is the account of the pass- ing of one of the most remarkable lives ever lived. It was a life spent in the realm of the supernatural, in the region of vision, and under the constraining sense of the reality and power of the spiritual. Abraham lived not for the flesh, not even for the mind, but for the spirit.

The whole story is told in the suggestive words that he died " an old man and full."

162 Genesis

The words " of years " are supplied, and limit rather than illumine the suggestiveness of the declaration. As it stands, it is practically a declaration of the fact that his life was satis- fied and rounded out to a beautiful completion. A very striking testimony to his character is that of the fact that Isaac and Ishmael united in the work of laying him to rest in the cave of Machpelah. They were united by a common love for their father, whose affection for them had been very great.

The ending of a life often reveals the deepest truth concerning its real value. Comparing the first movements of the faith of Abraham with his final experiences, creates the convic- tion that had he seen the end, in all probability he would never have dared to make the begin- ning. He started to find a land and to found a nation, depending wholly upon the promises of Jehovah. He died with no possession other than a grave, and with no further sight of his own posterity than that of his son Isaac, and his two grandsons, Esau and Jacob, who at the time of his passing would be about fifteen years of age.

Yet he died " full," satisfied. The vision of the pathway is not granted to the men of faith. It would not be possible for them to understand it. They need the discipline of life

Regeneration 163

to prepare them for the developments that await them. Their present duty is very clear. It is that they trust, obey, expect. Where these responsibilities are fulfilled, the end is full of satisfaction, even though to the sight of those who are not acting upon the principle of faith, it may seem to be disappointing, and characterized by failure.

ii. Isaac. xxv. h — xxvi.

a. INTRODUCTORY. xxv. 11-34

i. Isaac blessed by God. "

2. Generations of Ishmael. I2"18

o. Ishmael. 12

p. The twelve Sons. 13-16

•v. Death of Ishmael. 17

6. The Country of Ishmael. 18

3. Generations of Isaac. J9-28

a. Isaac. 19

, p. The two Sons. 20-28

4. The Bartering of the Birthright. 29-34

b. FIRST APPEARANCE. CONTINUITY OF COVENANT.

xxvi. 1-22

i. The Appearance. I_5

a. The Occasion. 1, 2a

p. The Warning. 26

Y. The Promise. 3-5

2. Deflection. 6-1 1

o. TAe Deception. 6-7

p. 77ie Rebuke of the Pagan. 8-10

y. 77ie Charge of Abimelech. 11

3. Prosperity. I2"22

a. T/i£ Culture of the Land. 12-14

/3. The Opposition of the Philistines. 15-17

y. The Digging of the Wells. 18-22

c. SECOND APPEARANCE. RATIFICATION OF

COVENANT. xxvi. 23-33

1. The Appearance. 23-25

a. The Occasion. 23, 24a

p. The Declaration. 24b

y. The Answer. 25

2. Covenant with Abimelech. 26-33

o. The Request. 26-30

p. The Covenant. 31

y. The Well. 32, 33

3. Trouble with Esau. 34. 35

Regeneration 165

ii. Isaac

We now come to the section dealing more especially with the life of Isaac; and here we find a man of entirely different type from that of Abraham. In the case of Abraham we have seen faith obedient; and to him the appear- ances of God were all for purposes of initi- ation. Isaac was a man in whom faith was passive; and the two Divine appearances chronicled were for purposes of ratification. The story may be divided into three parts, the first being introductory ; the second giving the account of the first appearance of Jehovah; and the third, that of His second appearance.

a. INTRODUCTORY

The section opens with the declaration that after the death of Abraham, the blessing of God rested upon Isaac. Coupled with that affirmation is the statement that he dwelt by the well Beer-lahai-roi. This statement in it- self is suggestive of the character of the man. He was quiet and meditative, content to abide by the wells, where his flocks might be well watered. He was evidently a man passive rather than active, whose faith was likely to produce quietness rather than initiation.

166 Genesis

The generations of Ishmael are now given, together with the account of his death.

In order to give the generations of Isaac, the narrative at this point goes back fifteen years prior to the death of Abraham and records the birth of Esau and Jacob. Before their birth Jehovah made a distinct communication to their mother of the fact that the elder would become the servant of the younger; and this direct word from God must not be forgotten in subsequent considerations of the actions of Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob.

The two brothers, Esau and Jacob, are placed before us in this paragraph in strong contrast. The first was wild and romantic ; the second, as the margin reads, harmless, or per- fect, dwelling in the tents. This is a very in- teresting statement at the beginning of a story in which so much will be seen of Jacob, which is mean and contemptible. Here we have a revelation of his temperament. He was quiet, and desired more the peace of the tent, than the excitement of movement. In the light of this, the long journey and prolonged absence from home will be seen to be the result follow- ing his deceit, which was in itself distasteful to him.

Degeneration in the character of Isaac is evidently marked in the statement that his love

Regeneration 167

for Esau was caused by the fact that he ate of his venison.

In the story of the birthright, neither Esau nor Jacob is to be admired. The one was pro- fane, in that he allowed the lower side of his nature to master him ; and sold his birthright in order to appease his physical hunger. The other was mean, in that he took advantage of that hunger to obtain the birthright.

b. FIRST APPEARANCE. CONTINUITY OP COVENANT

We come next to the account of the first direct communication of Jehovah to Isaac. Its occasion was that of a time of difficulty, such as had caused his father to go down into Egypt. Jehovah warned him against repeat- ing the folly, and the warning note was empha- sized by the declaration of the continuity of the covenant, which had been made with his father, and the repetition of the great promises uttered to him.

Strangely enough, though he was thus saved by direct Divine intervention from his father's mistake, and the sin which followed it, he nevertheless repeated the folly of his father in Gerar in connection with Abimelech. It is by no means certain that this Abimelech is the

168 Genesis

same. It is quite probable that he was the son of the one with whom Abraham made a cove- nant. As in the case of his father, this man of faith was rebuked by the man outside the covenant, who then charged his people that Isaac was not to be molested.

After this appearance, Isaac gave himself to the culture of the land, and increased greatly in wealth.

The Philistines, with whom Abraham had dwelt, began to manifest a certain measure of hostility, filling up wells which the servants of Abraham had dug. The quiet patience of Isaac is manifested in the matter of these wells. He first proceeded to dig again the wells of his father Abraham. His servants then dug a new well, for which the Philistine herdsmen con- tended, and he called it Esek, that is, conten- tion. Persevering, they dug another, and there was yet more strife. He named the second Sitnah, thus indicating the increasing diffi- culty of the situation, for the name means en- mity. Once more they dug, and no contention followed.

Regeneration 169

C. SECOND APPEARANCE. RATIFICATION OF COVENANT

There now occurred a change. Isaac re- turned from Gerar to Beer-sheba, and Jehovah immediately made the second direct communi- cation to him. It would seem as though this communication was the result of his return to his proper abode. It was of the nature of the ratification of the covenant.

Isaac immediately responded in such way as to indicate his fidelity of heart to the principle of faith. He built an altar, pitched his tent, and dug a well.

This second appearance of Jehovah to Isaac was followed by a visit from Abimelech, who in company with his friend Ahuzzath and Phicol, the captain of his host, sought the establishment of a covenant. To this Isaac responded, by preparing them a feast, and en- tering into the covenant which they desired.

One brief word reveals the fact that Esau was giving himself up to a wild and reckless life, which was devoid of the principle of faith in God. He married daughters of the land, and caused grief to the hearts of his father and mother.

Isaac was pre-eminently the man of peace, and his principal physical activity, that of the

170 Genesis

digging of wells, was, as is so often the case, symbolic of his temperament. Notwithstand- ing his failure, the general impression is that of the faith of the man ; and from his story we learn how faith operates in the case of quieter natures. Such men dig wells which are for the blessing of subsequent generations.

iii. Jacob. xxvii. — xxxv. 21

a. FIRST DIVINE COMMUNICATION. DUPLICITY AND

THE OVER-RULING GOD. xxvii.— xxviii.

1. The Deceit of Rebekah and Jacob, xxvii. 1-41

o. The Blessing obtained. 1-29

Isaac's Request of Esau. 1-4

The Deceit of Rebekah. 5-17

The Deceit of Jacob. 18-24

The Blessing. 25-29

p. Isaac and Esau. 30-41

The Coming of Esau. 30-32

The Revelation. 33-37

The Prophecy of Isaac. 38-40

The Anger of Esau. 41

2. The Flight of Jacob. xxvii. 42— xxviii. 9

o. Rebekah's Fear and Advice. 42-45

/3. Rebekah's Arrangement. 46

y. Isaac's Action. xxviii. 1-5

The Charge. 1, 2

The Blessing. 3, 4

The Dismissal. 5

/PARENTHESIS. THE ACTION OF ESAU. xxviii. 6-9 \

( Observation of Action in Case of Jacob. 6-8 I

\ Ishmael's Daughter taken as Wife.

The Divine Appearing. xxviii. 10-22

o. The Dream. 10-17

The Resting-place. 10, 11

The Vision. 12

The Voice. 13-15

The Blessing promised. 13, 14

The Presence promised. 15

The Awaking. 16, 17

The Nearness of Jehovah. 16

The resulting Awe. 17

(3. The Action of Worship. iS, 19

The anointed Pillar. 18

The new Name. 19

y. The Vow. 20-22

The Terms. 30, 210

The Promise. 21b, 22

Regeneration 173

iii. Jacob

The history now passes to centre largely around Jacob; and at once we find ourselves in the presence of a man of another tempera- ment, and shall see faith operating no longer in the case of a man obedient, by way of ini- tiation; nor in that of a man passive, in an- swer to ratification; but rather in that of a man restless, and yielding to correction. The history of Jacob consists of the account of five Divine communications with the man, in each case rendered necessary in order to correction. These five communications may thus be classi- fied; duplicity, and the over-ruling God; suc- cess, and the interfering God; independence, and the conquering God ; compromise, and the restoring God; obedience, and the rewarding God.

a. FIRST DIVINE COMMUNICATION. DUPLICITY, AND THE OVER-RULING GOD

In this we have the account of the deceit of Rebekah; the flight of Jacob; and the Divine appearing.

174 Genesis

1. The Deceit of Rebekah and Jacob

In this section four persons stand out be- fore us, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob, and not one of them is admirable.

Isaac was now even more degenerate and seems to have been wholly occupied with his stomach, and anxious for another meal of venison before he died.

Rebekah did not share the sleepiness of her husband. She was keen, alert, acute; and in this connection was revealed at her very worst. She knew the purpose of God for Jacob, but was not content to wait. By the most despi- cable deceit she attempted to secure the bless- ing to Jacob. She was aware of Isaac's love for Esau, and against that she plotted. Her wrong was not that of desiring to fix the bless- ing upon Jacob, for this she knew to be accord- ing to Divine intention ; it was wholly that of the method which she adopted.

Esau was still the same wild, dashing, im- pulsive hunter. Jacob was the only one in whom one trait of excellence was manifest. He at least raised a protest, and did not desire to appear to his father as a deceiver ; but even here the motive was low, for he was afraid of the personal curse that might follow a dis- covery; and in any case there was no real

Regeneration 175

excuse for his yielding to the suggestion of his mother, for he was not a child, but a man, bordering on seventy years of age.

The deceit of Jacob, actually practised, cre- ates a pitiful and pathetic picture. He came into the presence of his father with a positive lie upon his lips ; to be followed by a blasphe- mous lie in explanation. He declared that he was Esau; and accounted for the speed with which he had procured the venison, by declar- ing that Jehovah had helped him. He ap- proached his father silently, lying as he held out his hands to him, and repeating his lie when questioned.

A lie is ever prolific in its propagation. One succeeds another in quick succession, each made necessary by its predecessor. How much more would be gained if men would only learn the ease and simplicity of truth.

Watching the scene, with all the facts in mind — which, of course, were not present to the mind of Isaac — a great sense of the over- ruling of God inevitably possesses the soul. The words of the covenant blessing were gen- erous and gracious as they fell from the lips of Isaac. He imagined that contrary to the declared purpose at the birth of the boys, he was pronouncing these words upon Esau. It was not so, for over-ruling the duplicity and

176 Genesis

sin of the actors in the scene, God compelled the words of blessing to rest upon the man of His choice. Failure of faith expressing itself in deceit, must inevitably bring, as the sequel will show, sorrow upon sorrow. It can not, however, finally interfere with the accomplish- ment of the purposes of Jehovah.

The harvest was swift and sure. A lie can not long maintain the appearance of truth. Deceit must be known as deceit. With the coming of Esau there was discovery, and im- mediate and inevitable results followed. Isaac trembled exceedingly. It was a strange trembling, and in all probability had in it more of the sense of the overruling majesty of God than of the disappointment of his own wrong purpose. This would seem to have been so from the fact that Isaac refused to change what he had done, or to unsay what he had said. Therein his faith was manifest. Indeed, this is the one instance of his faith referred to by the writer of the letter to the Hebrews. Through failure of faith he had attempted to fasten the covenant blessing upon Esau. When he discovered what had really happened, in faith he yielded to the clear over-ruling of God.

From the heart of Esau there came a ter- rible wail; thrilling with disappointment,

Regeneration 177

vibrant with passion, and followed by bitter tears. He was now reaping the harvest of the selling of his birthright for a mess of pot- tage. He had long abandoned himself to the passions of the flesh, even though, as it would seem, he felt some interest in his father's bless- ing. In the consciousness that he had lost that which he coveted, he broke out into a paroxysm of anger and grief.

2. The Flight of Jacob

Still the sheaves of harvest were gathered. The hatred of Esau for Jacob naturally cre- ated anxiety in the mind of Rebekah. She began at once to arrange to send Jacob out of the reach of danger. In all probability she never saw him again, for, although we have no record of her death and burial, it would seem likely that she had died before his return.

For Jacob the harvest consisted in this en- forced absence from his home. As we saw in a previous study, he was a quiet man, and a dweller in tents, differing from Esau in this particular. To him, home meant far more than to his brother; and this severance there- from, and this flight to Paddan-aram must have cost him much. That Rebekah suffered in all those after-years is evident from the

178 Genesis

words with which she sent him away. Her plan was that he should tarry with Laban a few days only, and she distinctly declared her intention to send for him again. This she never did. We constantly attempt to comfort our hearts with the idea that we can manipu- late the results of sin, so as to make them less hard to bear; and then we have to prove, through long and bitter experiences, that this is not so. There is only one moment in which we can save ourselves from sin, and that is before we commit it.

Isaac took farewell of his son, charging him to seek a wife from Paddan-aram, and pro- nouncing upon him the words of blessing.

PARENTHESIS. THE ACTION OF ESAU

Esau, observing the action of Jacob, and hoping to please his father, took a wife of the daughters of Ishmael.

3. The Divine Appearing

We now come to the first of the direct Divine communications to Jacob. Deceit had wrought itself out at last, so that Jacob was in flight from Beer-sheba. Weary with the

Regeneration 179

journey, he arrived at Luz; and during the sleep of the night he was given a dream.

The vision of the ladder and the angels was suggestive of the possibility and actuality of communication between heaven and earth. Yet that which impressed Jacob does not seem to have been this part of the vision, but the fact that Jehovah appeared to him, and spoke to him.

The message was full of infinite grace. Jehovah declared Himself to be the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and then repeated to Jacob the promise of the land, and of the seed ; adding to this the promise of His own presence with him in his wanderings; and the declara- tion that he should yet again be brought into the land.

The vision and the voice that came to him in that dream accomplished their end, for on awaking Jacob declared his new consciousness of the presence of God. It is remarkable that he did not speak of that Presence as of a visit, but rather as of an abiding fact. He sug- gested, moreover, his conviction that God had been there before the vision was granted, for he said, " I knew it not." It is not to be won- dered at that such a communication filled him with a sense of awe, compelling him to ex- claim, " How dreadful is this place ! "

180 Genesis

In the morning he acted in such a way as to manifest the two sides of his nature. His deep religious conviction and faith were indi- cated by his setting up of a stone, his anoint- ing it with oil, and his naming of the place Beth-el, which signifies the house of God. His restless activity and keen managing meanness were manifested in the bargaining spirit in which he expressed himself. Jehovah had promised to be with him, and now he said that if this promise were fulfilled he would give a tenth of all he possessed to God.

It was faith assuredly, but it moved on a low level. Such faith will not bear compari- son with that which enables a man to turn his back upon kindred and friends, not knowing where he is going. Nevertheless, it is evident that by this appearance of Jehovah to Jacob he was arrested, and the spirit of his coming to the house of Laban was changed. There were yet many lessons for him to learn; and long years elapsed before, in perfect submis- sion, he worshipped, leaning on his staff. This much, however, was gained. The memory of the midnight vision, and the consequent cer- tainty of the Divine presence abode with him.

ECOND DIVINE COMMUNICATION.

SUCCESS, AND THE INTERFERING GOD

xxix.

— xxxi. 3

i. The Sojourn with Laban.

xxix.

— xxxi. 2

a. Arrival.

xxix. i -i 9

The Place of the Flocks.

1-3

Jacob's First View.

1, 2a

The Method described.

2b, 3

The Converse with the Shepherds.

4-8

Inquiry after Laban.

4-6

His Advice to them.

7,8

Jacob and Rachel.

9-12

Jacob watering the Flock.

9, 10

The Greeting.

ii, 12

Jacob and Laban.

13-19

The Meeting and Hospitality.

13. 14

The Bargain of Service.

15-19

Laban's Proposition.

15

The two Daughters.

16, 17

Jacob's Offer.

18

Laban's Acceptance.

19

8. The Fourteen Years.

xxix. 20-

-xxx. 24

The first Seven.

xxix. 20

The Marriage.

21-29

Leah. Laban's Deceit.

21-27

Rachel.

28, 29

The second Seven.

30

The Children.

xxix. 31-

—xxx. 24

Of Leah.

xxix. 31-35

Reuben.

Simeon.

Levi.

Judah.

Of Rachel.

xxx. 1-8

By Bilhah. Dan.

Naphtali.

Of Leah.

9-13

By Zilpah. Gad.

Of Leah.

xxx. 14-20

Issachar.

Zebulun.

Dinah.

21

Of Rachel.

22-24

Joseph.

The Six Years.

xxx. 25 — xxxi. 2

The Proposition to return.

25, 26

The new Arrangement.

27-34

The Success of Jacob.

35-43

The Disaffection of Laban.

xxxi. i, 2

2. The Command of God.

a. The Disturbance. " Return."

8. The Promise. "I will be with thee."

xxxi. 3

Regeneration 183

b. SECOND DIVINE COMMUNICATION. SUCCESS, AND THE INTERFERING GOD

This section deals with the next period in the life of Jacob, in which for twenty years he was a sojourner in the " land of the chil- dren of the east," and during which he amassed his great wealth. It was the period of his dealings with Laban. On the human side it is the story of the conflict of two strong, astute men. There is little to admire in the methods of either. Of the two, however, as we shall see, Laban was by far the more to be despised. The section chronicles the events of the sojourn with Laban ; and briefly records the Divine communication which put an end to the period.

1. The Sojourn with Laban

The history of these years may be divided into three parts ; that dealing with the arrival ; that telling the story of fourteen years; and that giving the account of the last six years.

a. Arrival

Arriving in the neighbourhood of Laban's home Jacob found himself in the midst of pas-

184 Genesis

toral conditions, which are described briefly but clearly. He came upon a field in which a well was situated, and three flocks of sheep were reposi: g, waiting for the hour of water- ing. The method by which this was done is described. When all the flocks were gathered, the stone was rolled from the mouth of the well, the sheep were watered, and the stone was replaced.

Jacob at once entered into conversation with the shepherds by making inquiry after Laban, in response to which they told him that Laban was known to them, that he was well, and that he would soon be able for himself to see his daughter Rachel, who was in the habit of bringing her father's sheep to the water.

Not knowing their custom of waiting till all the flocks were gathered, and perhaps desi- rous to have them out of the way before the arrival of Rachel, he urged them to water their flocks and depart. While he was still in con- versation with them, Rachel arrived with her sheep. The story of this meeting is the one touch of beauty in the chapter. There is no doubt that it is a pure love story, and all the subsequent history of Jacob shows how dear to his heart was this woman of the pastoral life, the shepherdess of her father's sheep.

The introduction to her was that of his ac-

Regeneration 185

tion in rolling away the stone from the mouth of the well, and watering the flock which she brought. This was followed by his greeting, and his making known of his relationship to* her. As all the experiences of his leaving home, and the long journey crowded upon him, and as he was conscious of being near to his mother's people, he was overcome by emo- tion.

Rachel hurried back, and told her father Laban of the fact of the arrival of Jacob ; and Laban immediately hastened to meet him, and to welcome him with all the tokens of glad- ness. After a month's sojourn with them, Laban proposed that Jacob should enter into some definite arrangement with him as to the service he should render.

Laban's two daughters, Leah and Rachel, are introduced to us at this point, and the his- torian declares that the former was a plain woman, while Rachel was beautiful in form and feature. Laban's proposition was Jacob's opportunity; and he offered to serve Laban for seven years for Rachel. This offer Laban accepted.

/?. The Fourteen Years

The story of fourteen years is told as to the actual events with some brevity, while for

186 Genesis

purposes of the subsequent history the account of the children which were born to Jacob dur- ing the second half of the period is given in greater fulness. The account of the first seven years is dismissed in one brief statement which is, nevertheless, full of beauty. They were years in the life of Jacob full of bright- ness, in which all the arduous work, which he afterwards described with some bitterness when chiding with Laban (xxxi. 38-40), was transfigured by his love for Rachel.

At the end of the story of the first seven years we have the account of the marriage. There can be no doubt that Laban, with the shrewdness which characterized him, had seen at the beginning how much he would gain from the services of Jacob, and that therefore he had readily promised him Rachel to wife. The true nature of the man is first manifested in the brutal deceit he practised upon Jacob at the end of the seven years. Love is, how- ever, stronger than all opposing forces, and Jacob served again another seven years for Rachel. It is to be carefully noted that he married her a week after his marriage with Leah; and thus the second seven years were years in which Jacob lived with Leah and Rachel, as his wives.

As we read the story of the birth of the chil-

Regeneration 187

dren of Jacob we must not forget that we are looking at things in a far-distant time, and, therefore, must make all necessary allowances for the imperfect light in which these people lived. Such allowance, however, will not pre- vent our seeing how much that is here chron- icled, contradicted the principle of faith. It is the story of domestic trouble and heart- burning, out of which arose actions which were utterly out of keeping with the life of simple faith in God. Through all the story there is nevertheless manifest the conscious- ness of the Divine over-ruling. The interpre- tation of the Divine government was often at fault, as when Rachel imagined that the son born to Bilhah was in any sense an answer to prayer. That answer came with the birth of Joseph.

There were first born to Leah four sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Then fol- lowing an Eastern custom, Rachel gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob, and two sons were born, Dan and Naphtali. Then Leah, follow- ing the lead of Rachel, gave Jacob her hand- maid Zilpah, and two sons were born, Gad and Asher. There was evidently a period of estrangement between Jacob and Leah under the influence of Rachel. A domestic incident of the most trivial kind was the occasion, un-

188 Genesis

der the same influence, of reconciliation. Then there were born to Leah two sons, Issachar and Zebulun, and a daughter Dinah, who is mentioned because of the part she played in a subsequent event. Finally Joseph was born to Rachel.

This story of the birth of the children is full of interest, and reminds us that the days during which children are being born into a family are days of vital importance. The his- tory of these sons of Jacob, so full of sadness and failure, is hardly to be wondered at, in the light of the events recorded here.

y. The Six Years

At the birth of Joseph, Jacob attempted to break away from Laban. Laban, however, knew that the sojourn of Jacob with him had resulted in great gain, and for motives of abso- lute selfishness he was anxious to retain him ; and a new arrangement was made between them, Jacob on his side being equally anxious for gain.

Laban at once attempted to make impos- sible the enrichment of Jacob according to this new arrangement, by setting three days' jour- ney between the cattle ring-straked, speckled, spotted, and the rest; giving the former into

Regeneration 189

the hands of his sons, and the latter into the care of Jacob. It was without question a mean and dastardly attempt to frustrate the possibility of Jacob's gaining from the com- pact.

The sequel shows how far he under-esti- mated the shrewdness of his nephew; and it is chronicled that Jacob increased exceed- ingly.

The procedure is not admirable on either side, but watching the movement as between two schemers, it is impossible to avoid a feel- ing of satisfaction that Jacob was one too many for Laban. Comparing Jacob through all this history with Abraham, it is perfectly clear that the faith of the former moved on a much lower level than that of the latter. Abraham, for instance, had been content to let the scheming Lot choose, and to give him all the advantage. Jacob, always believing in God, was yet not willing to commit these mat- ters of worldly possession to Him.

The attempt of Laban and his sons to pre- vent the success of Jacob having failed, they were angry, and their dissatisfaction mani- fested itself in their attitude towards Jacob.

190 Genesis

2. The Command of God

It was in the midst of Jacob's most con- spicuous success, and with the shadow of the disaffection of his uncle resting upon his path- way, that there came to him the second Divine communication. That communication was of the nature of a command, clear and definite, to return immediately to the land of his fathers. It was accompanied with words of gracious promise, " I will be with thee."

Thus for the second time, at the moment when it was necessary, in order that this man might be directed into the pathway of the Divine purpose, God appeared, disturbing him in the very hour of his greatest success, and turning his feet into the way of that purpose.

c. THIRD DIVINE COMMUNICATION. INDEPENDENCE, AND THE CONQUERING GOD. xxxi. 4— xxxii.

T\

he Controversy with Laban.

xxxi

. 4 — xxxii. 2

a.

Jacob's Conference with Leah and Rachel.

4-16

Jacob's Story.

4-13

Of Laban's Displeasure.

4. 5

Of his Fidelity.

6

Of Laban's Deceit.

7a

Of God's Interference.

76-13

The Answer of Rachel and Leah.

14-16

ti-

The Departure.

17-21

y-

The Pursuit.

22-24

The seven Days' Journey.

22, 23

The Divine Warning.

24

s.

Jacob's Conference with Laban.

25-54

Laban's Complaint.

25-30

As to the Going.

25-29

As to the Gods.

30

Jacob's Answer.

31.32

As to the Going.

3i

As to the Gods.

32

The Search for the Gods.

33-35

Jacob's Complaint.

36-42

As to the Search.

36, 37

As to his Treatment.

38-42

Laban's Answer.

43. 44

Recognition of Relationship.

43

Proposition of Covenant.

44

The Covenant of Separation.

45-54

«.

The Separation.

xxxi.

55 — xxxii. 2

Laban to his Place.

xxxi. 55

Jacob. The Angels of God.

xxxii. 1, 2

D

iplomacy concerning Esau.

xxxii. 3-21

a.

The Messengers sent.

3-6

The conciliatory Message.

3-5

The Approach of Esau.

6

P.

The Preparation.

7-21

The Division of his Property.

7.8

Prayer.

9-12

The Preparation of the Presents.

13-21

The Night of Conflict.

xxxii. 22-32

a.

The Sending Away of his Wives and

Children

22, 23

fr

The Struggle.

24-30

The Wrestling.

24.25

The Yielding.

26

The New Name.

27-30

V-

The Sunrise.

31.32

Regeneration 193

C. THIRD DIVINE COMMUNICATION. INDEPEND- ENCE, AND THE CONQUERING GOD

In this section we are dealing with the great' crisis in the life of Jacob, and it falls into three parts; the first describing the contro- versy with Laban; the second Jacob's diplo- macy concerning Esau ; and the last, the night of his conflict with the heavenly visitor.

1. The Controversy with Laban

Calling his wives to him, Jacob laid the case before them as between their father and him- self, He drew their attention to Laban's evi- dent displeasure, called them to a recognition of the fact that he had served Laban with all fidelity, reminded them that Laban had many times practised deceit toward him, and claimed that God had not suffered Laban to' harm him.

Rachel and Leah acquiesced in Jacob's de- cision to depart, signifying their sense of the change in their father; and declaring that he looked upon them as strangers, and had wronged them.

Thus after at least twenty years of absence, Jacob set his face again toward home. Flee- ing thence he had been a poor man ; returning

194 Genesis

thither he marched, the possessor of vast wealth. The same streak of cunning which had ever been manifest in his nature, is seen in the stealth with which he broke away from Laban.

Much may happen in twenty years. There is one thing, however, that can never happen. Wrongdoing cannot be undone, and Jacob was going back, as the sequel will show, with a consciousness of fear in his heart, because Esau his brother was yet alive. We shall, however, utterly fail to understand Jacob, or to do him justice, if we do not recognize the fact that the principle of faith was the inspiration of his return to his own land. He went back in obedience to a Divine command. Judging from material standards there was no reason for his going other than the suspicion and jealousy of Laban and his sons; and Jacob had already learned by experience that he was always able to outwit them. The call of God was supreme to him, notwithstanding all the cunning and deceit of his nature.

Rachel departing, had stolen the teraphim, or household gods of her father; and the se- quel, notwithstanding the protestations of affection on the part of Laban, makes it per- fectly clear that this was the real reason of his hot pursuit. He travelled seven days, and

Regeneration 195

'S

finally overtook Jacob in Mount Gilead. On the way God appeared to him in a dream by night, and warned him not to speak to Jacobs " either good or bad." Notwithstanding this warning he followed him, but there is no doubt it had its effect upon him.

The conference between the two men is de- scribed at length. Laban suggested that he objected to the manner of the going, and that he would fain have sent them away with rejoicings. Jacob replied that he was afraid of Laban. In all probability they were both lying. Laban's final protest was against the taking of his gods ; and there followed a search for them, which through the deceit of Rachel was unsuccessful.

At last Jacob's answer flamed forth, and he found relief in telling Laban all he thought of him. The outburst of auger is most refreshing as for once at least Jacob spoke the language of honesty. He complained first of the search, which Laban had made (and in this connec- tion it must be remembered Jacob did not know the gods were hidden) ; and, secondly, of the treatment that he had received from Laban, during the period he had been with him.

Laban's answer lacked the honesty of Ja- cob's outburst, as he affirmed his affection,

196 Genesis

and suggested that there should be a covenant made between them.

That covenant was entered into, and " Miz- pah " ends the story. It was a heap of stones, the emblem of suspicion, and the indication of the fact that there were to be no further deal- ings between them. Mizpah was the monu- ment of separation, erected upon the basis of mutual suspicion. Two men called upon God, not to ratify a comradeship, but to watch over each on behalf of the other, as a policeman watches a thief. Laban does not again appear in the history, and thus the last sight we have of him is the interesting spectacle of a man kissing his sons and daughters, after having wronged them through all the long years.

Thus Laban passed back to his own place, and Jacob moved onward; and at this point there was granted to him a vision of the angels of God. Full of interest has been this account of the connection between these men; but its last message is that partnership on the ground of selfishness, invariably issues in mutual sus- picion and separation.

2. Diplomacy concerning Esau

There is the closest connection between the story of Jacob's dealing with Esau and that of

Regeneration 197

his night of conflict. The whole constitutes one of the great passages of the Bible familiar to all the children of faith. %

Jacob was returning to his own land, and the same conflicting principles are manifest. He was going in obedience to the distinct com- mand of God, and yet the method of his going was characterized by confidence in his own ability. This is specially evident in the elabo- rate and carefully calculated preparation he made for his meeting with Esau. He sent mes- sengers forward with a conciliatory message, and they returned with the alarming report that Esau was on his way to meet him, accom- panied by four hundred men. We have no actual evidence in the record that the purpose of Esau was hostile, but it is evident that the conscience of Jacob made him interpret the advance in that way.

He immediately prepared for the meeting, first by dividing his property into two com- panies, so that if Esau fell upon the one, the other should have the opportunity of escape. Having thus divided the property, he gave himself to prayer, and it is impossible to read the prayer without seeing the profounder things in the nature of this man. It is full of beauty. In the presence of God he declared that he was acting in obedience to His will,

198 Genesis

that he was conscious of his own unworthiness of all His goodness toward him ; and definitely prayed for deliverance from the hand of his brother; confessing his fear on behalf of him- self, and the mother with the children ; ending all by pleading the promise of Jehovah.

How constantly a man in the deepest of his nature, is better than his outward actions would seem to suggest; and, moreover, how constantly the best in a man is revealed in the hour of his praying !

Having thus prayed, he prepared presents for Esau, arranging that they should reach him in relays. He hoped thus to break down his hostility, and prepare for hospitable re- ception.

3. The Night of Conflict

This return to the land was an event of great importance, and at last in the quiet still- ness of the night, God appeared to Jacob in the form of a man.

He was actually alone, having sent his wives and children over the Jabbok. The long struggle of the night was that of the wrestling of the heavenly visitor with Jacob, during which God demonstrated to him his own weak- ness, appealing to his spiritual consciousness

Regeneration 199

by a positive touch upon his physical being. In reading the story we are not to imagine for a moment that it would have been difficult for that heavenly visitor to have immediately over- come the resistiDg strength of Jacob. It is important rather that we should see that he was allowed to bring all his strength into play, in order that he might learn the deepest les- sons.

It is certainly the story of Jacob's victory, but that victory was won in the moment when he became conscious of the superiority of the power which had laid its hand upon him ; and yielding to that power with strong crying and tears, claimed and received it as his own. In that moment of yielding, with the flush of morning upon the eastern sky, there was given to this man a new name, suggestive of a new royalty. He was henceforth to be known as Israel, God-governed, rather than as Jacob, a supplanter.

The story is indeed old, and yet ever new. There are very few who have not in the course of the life of faith, spent a night of loneliness, in which they have risen through defeat into new power. The cripplings of such occasions are the crownings of men. The limp of Jacob was a life-long disability, but it was the patent of his nobility.

FOURTH DIVINE COMMUNICATION. AND THE RESTORING GOD.

COMPROMISE,

xxxiii. — xxxv. i

The Meeting with Esau. a. The Approach. Of Esau. Of Jacob. Himself.

Handmaids and Children. Leah and Children. Rachel and Joseph. p. The Meeting. y. The Conference.

The Presentation of Wives and Children. The Acceptance of Present by Esau. The Refusal of Help by Jacob. S. The Separation. Esau to Seir. Jacob to Succoth.

xxxm. i -i 7 i-3

ifr-3

4

5-i5

5-7

8-i i

12-15

16, 17 16 17

2. The Dwelling in the Land.

a. To Shechem.

The Land bought. An Altar erected. (3. The Pollution of Dinah.

Dinah's Curiosity, and Seduction.

Jacob's Silence.

The Suit of Shechem.

The Action of the Sons of Jacob.

The deceitful Proposition.

The Consent of the Hivites.

The Cruelty of Simeon and Levi. The Fear of Jacob. The Protest of his Sons.

3. The Command of God.

Back to Bethel.

xxxiii. 18 — xxxiv. 18-21

xxxiv.

1-4

5 6-12

13-29 13-17 18-24 25-29 30 31

xxxv. I

Regeneration 201

d. FOURTH DIVINE COMMUNICATION. COMPRO- MISE, AND THE RESTORING GOD

»

The account of the fourth Divine communi- cation consists of the story of the meeting with Esau; an account of the first sojourn in the land; and finally, of the definite command of God which resulted in the return to Beth-el.

1. The Meeting with Esau

In the flush of the new morning Jacob went forward to the meeting with Esau. Esau ad- vanced with four hundred men, according to the report of the messengers that Jacob had first seen.

Jacob went to meet him, following upon the droves of cattle which he had sent forward, as presents to Esau. In his approach to his brother, he himself led the way, followed im- mediately by his handmaids and their chil- dren, and finally by Rachel and Joseph. How strange a mixture this man was is made evi- dent here again. It is clearly to be seen that a fear of his brother still lurked in his heart, and there is a touch of nobleness discernible in his first going forward to meet Esau, having set his loved ones behind in three companies.

202 Genesis

His love of Rachel is here again manifest as he put her in the last company, so that if perad- venture Esau should still meet him in anger and fall upon the first, she might have the better opportunity of escape.

The chief interest of the study, however, centres in the attitude of Esau. Instead of an angry man, Jacob met a brother. While we have in a previous consideration recognized the fact that there is nothing in the text to warrant us in believing that Esau's defence was characterized by hostility, it is neverthe- less more than probable that such was the case, but God, Who Holds in His own power the dis- posing of all hearts, while manifestly He had been dealing with Jacob by the brook, had in all probability unconsciously to Esau, pre- pared his heart for the meeting with his brother. After twenty years of separation, when these men came together, they did so with affection and with emotion.

It is an interesting illustration of the fact that in proportion as a man finds his way into the will of God, he finds his way to a pathway prepared for him. All Jacob's preparations for the appeasing of Esau would evidently have been of no avail, for he did not desire the presents ; but God had solved the difficulty for the man who had been brought into sub-

Regeneration 203

mission to Him, in the long struggle of the lonely night.

In the conference between the brothers, the children of Jacob, and his wives were pre- sented to Esau; he accepted the present of Jacob under pressure ; but Jacob emphatically, although courteously, refused any help from Esau.

They separated, Esau journeying to Seir, and Jacob a little distance on to Succoth, where he halted for a while. The making of booths for his cattle was in itself a suggestive action, for they were for purposes of safety against marauders, rather than for protection from the weather.

2. The Divelling in the Land

How long Jacob remained at Succoth we are not told, but moving from there, he crossed the Jordan, and encamped in the neighbour- hood of the city of Shechern. There he bought a parcel of ground, and erected an altar. This tarrying at Shechern was undoubtedly a mis- take. The word spoken to him by Jehovah in Paddan-aram, commanding him to return, had been quite explicit, " Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred " ; and there can be no doubt that he ought at once to have continued his journey at least to Beth-el, the

204 Genesis

place where God had first appeared to him, and made His covenant with him; and in all probability the full terms of the command in- tended that he should have passed immedi- ately to Hebron, where Isaac was still living. There is nothing more perilous than to stop short of the place to which God is calling, and the story which follows is that of a sad and tragic reaping from this halt.

Dinah at this time could not have been more than a mere girl ; and the record makes it per- fectly clear that her departure from the camp of her people was simply due to curiosity, and her desire to see the daughters of the land, that is, to observe the habits of the women of another country and another people. It was during this escapade that she was seen by Shecheni, the son of the prince of the land; and if we may read into the ancient story much that we know of human nature in more modern times, it is easy to follow the move- ment of this fresh and artless girl through frivolity to defilement.

Jacob heard the story, but maintained si- lence concerning it.

It is evident that this man Shechem had genuinely fallen in love with the girl, from the earnest suit he and his father paid to Jacob for her hand.

Regeneration 205

The story of the action of the sons of Jacob is, as to the method adopted, as evil as that of the failure of their sister. They made to these men a deceitful proposition, suggesting that if the whole of them would submit to the rite of circumcision, their sister should be given to Shecheni to wife. The devotion of Shecheni to Dinah, and the great influence of his father and himself over his people, is evidenced by the fact that the whole of the citizens of She- chem submitted to the rite. Then the cruelty of Simeon and Levi manifested itself in their murder of these men, while all the sons of Jacob shared in the spoiling of the city.

The complaint of Jacob was utterly un- worthy of a man of faith. It breathed a spirit of selfish fear from first to last. There was no word of jealousy for the honour of God, and no word of rebuke at this point for the cruelty of his sons. He came to the conscious- ness of that later, as his final words concern- ing them will reveal. At the moment he was simply filled with cowardly fear. The moment in which faith ceases to be the simple prin- ciple of life, self is enthroned ; and instead of the calm courage which is the result of obedi- ent faith, there ensues the miserable fear of personal suffering.

In the answer of his sons to his fear there

206 Genesis

is a tone of healthy protest against the wrong which Shechem had done their sister. That, however, was no justification for the method of punishment which they had adopted. This whole story constitutes a startling revelation of how the fruits of a man's disobedience may be gathered in the history of his family. How often, alas! children have been harmed incal- culably, because parents, while believing in God, have yet tarried at some Shechem of worldly advantage, instead of centring all their interests around Beth-el and the altar.

3. The Command of God

The background of conditions which we have considered throws into clear relief the meaning of the Divine intervention at this point. God does not abandon His children to the evil circumstances which result from their own folly. Jacob was commanded to leave Shechem, to go to Beth-el and dwell there, to make there an altar to God; and the com- mand was joined to the reminder that there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of Esau his brother. Thus the fourth Divine communication was the means of his restoration to the pathway of the Divine pur- pose.

e. FIFTH DIVINE COMMUNICATION.

OBEDIENCE, AND THE REWARDING GOD. xxxv. 221

I. Purification. 2-4

o. The Call to the Camp. 2

/3. The Purpose.

3

y. The Obedience.

4

Obedience.

5-8

a. The protected Journey.

5

|3. The Altar built.

6,7

y. Death of Deborah.

8

The Appearing of God.

9-13

a. Ratification of Name.

9, 10

p. Ratification of Covenant.

II, 12

The new Name.

11a

The Command.

11b

The Promise.

IIC, 12

The Seed.

IIC

The Land.

12

V. The Passing of the Appearance.

13

The Response of Jacob.

14. 15

a. The Pillar. /3. The Offering, y. The Name.

The Death of Rachel. ^2l

o. The Birth of Benjamin. 16-18

/3. The Death and Burial. 19, 20

y. The Journey of Israel. 21

Regeneration 209

e. FIFTH DIVINE COMMUNICATION. OBEDIENCE, AND THE REWARDING GOD

The response of Jacob to the command to return to Beth-el was immediate, and led up to the fifth communication.

1. Purification

He called upon his own household, and all who were associated with him, to put away strange gods, and to mark the purification of the camp by ceremonial cleansing and chang- ing. He distinctly declared that his purpose was to erect at Beth-el an altar unto God. The obedience of the people associated with him was prompt, as they handed over to him their strange gods and their earrings, both of which in all probability wrere spoils resulting from the sack of Shechem.

2. Obedience

Having thus purified themselves, they took their journey to Beth-el, protected by the terror of God which rested upon the cities through which they passed. Arrived at Beth-el, Jacob erected his altar, calling it El-beth-el or the God of Beth-el, or more lit- erally still, the God of the house of God.

210 Genesis

Here Deborah died and was buried. It will be remembered that she came from Laban's country with Kebekah, when in response to the call of Eliezer, she journeyed to become the bride of Isaac. This incidental reference to her would suggest that Rebekah was dead ere Jacob returned into the land, but that on his return he was joined by Deborah for the sake of his mother.

3. The Appearing of God

It was in this hour of obedience that there came to Jacob the fifth and final communica- tion of God, so far as his personal history is concerned. In the subsequent history God spoke to him again, but the word had special reference to his sons, and therefore is not in- cluded in the account of the dealings of God with Jacob himself. The name Israel was again pronounced. It would seem as though Jacob had never entered into the experience of the blessing won by the Jabbok during the time that he tarried at Succoth, and then in the neighbourhood of Shechem. In that night of wrestling the vision had come to him, but it had not been translated into victory in the details of life.

How often this is so ! In some great crisis

Regeneration 211

of revelation a larger life is seen, its laws appreciated, its claim intellectually yielded to, while yet it is not wrought out into the details of life; and sometimes its greatest value is only gained through a subsequent experience of failure.

By this second declaration his right to the name Israel was ratified, and there immedi- ately followed a ratification of the Divine covenant. It is full of interest to notice that this ratification of the covenant commenced with the declaration of a special name of God. It is the name El Shaddai, which He had first used to Abraham in connection with the changing of his name. It signifies that God is all-sufficient for the needs of those who put their trust in Him. In the night of wrestling the name of Jacob was changed to that of Israel, but when he asked the name of God he was not answered. Now that in the pathway of obedience he had found his way into a fuller experience of what his new name suggested, the name which signifies the absolute sufficiency of God was that by which He declared Himself to him.

This declaration was followed by a com- mand to be fruitful and to multiply; and the promise was made that a nation, and a com- pany of nations, should be born of him, that

212 Genesis

kings should come out of his loins, and that the land should be given to him and to his seed.

4. The Response of Jacob

To this revelation Jacob responded by the erection of a pillar, and the pouring out of a drink-offering. It was upon this occasion that he named the place Beth-el. It will be remem- bered that on his previous sojourn here, on his way to Paddan-aram, he had said, " This is none other than Beth-el, and this is the gate of heaven," but it was now that he definitely changed the name from Luz to Beth-el.

5. The Death of Rachel

Immediately following this experience Jacob passed through the darkness of the greatest personal sorrow of his life. On the journey Rachel died in giving birth to one whom she named, The son of my sorrow, but whom his father called, The son of the right hand. She was buried at Bethlehem, and Israel continued his journey.

II. OF THE FAMILY. xxxv. 22— xxxviii.

i. Preliminary. xxxv. 22 — xxxvi.

0. THE SIN OF REUBEN. xxxv. 22a

b. THE SONS OF JACOB. 22^-26

c. THE DEATH OF ISAAC. 27-29

d. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU. xxxvi.

i. In Canaan. 1-8

a. The Wives. 1-3

Adah.

Oholibamah.

Basemath.

^. The Sons. 4, 5

Of Adah. Eliphaz.

Of Basemath. Reuel.

Of Oholibamah. Jeush, Jalam, Korah.

y. Departure from Canaan. 6-8

2. In Seir. 9-19

a. Eliphaz. (Of Adah.) 10a

/3. Reuel. (Of Basemath.) iofc

y. Sons of Eliphaz. 1 1

By Timna. Amalek. 12

8. Sons of Reuel. 13

e. Jeush, Jalam, Korah. (Of Oholibamah.) 14

£. Dukes of Eliphaz. 15, 16

i). Dukes of Reuel. 17

0. Dukes of Jeush. 18

3. The Dukes of the Horites. 20-30

4. The Kings of Edom. 31-43

Regeneration 215

II. OF THE FAMILY

We now come to that section of the book of Genesis in which we see the movement toward the regeneration of the family. It is a striking fact that the main impression of this whole section is that of the corruption of the family of Jacob. In the midst of it, however, there is the wonderful story of the eldest born son of his beloved Rachel, maintaining his purity in the midst of the most trying circumstances, and against fierce temptation; and thus becoming a link in God's chain of movement toward the advent of the One through Whom the word spoken to Abraham should be ful- filled, that in him all the families of the earth should be blessed.

This section falls into three parts, the first being preliminary; the second giving us a picture of Joseph at home and in exile; and the third telling the appalling story of Judah's corruption.

i. Preliminary

This preliminary section briefly records the sin of Reuben, in consequence of which the birthright was taken from him, and given to Joseph (1 Chron. v. 1).

216 Genesis

Then follows a list of the sons of Jacob ; the account of the death of Isaac ; and the genera- tions of Esau.

This record of the generations of Esau is at once startling and solemn as a revelation of the prolific progeny of that profane person Esau. Faster than the seed of promise, multi- plied the sons of the flesh. The most interest- ing aspect is, of course, that of the relation to Israel. One brief and pregnant sentence in the chapter flashes its light along the coming centuries. " Of Esau is Edom." What Edom meant to Israel the subsequent history reveals. Though personally Jacob escaped the anger of his brother, the great harvests resulting from his deceit were reaped in the after-years.

Oh these harvests of the centuries! When will men learn the awful and stupendous greatness of life? The deed of good or evil, of truth or falsehood, done to-day, is not ended, though it is done. There is, indeed, nothicg small. This sense of infinite values touching minutest details is lost to men gen- erally, and is only restored with the bestow- ment of age-abiding life, which, among other things, is the consciousness of this very fact that the things of the passing moment are irrevocably linked to the undying ages.

ii. Joseph at Home and in Exile. xxxvii.

a. THE HOME LIFE. 1-4

i. The Place. 1

2. His Calling and Companions. 2

3. The Love of his Father. 3

4. The Hatred of his Brethren. 4

b. THE DREAMS. 5-1 1

1. The first Dream of the Sheaves. 5-8

a. The Dream. 5-7

0. 77; e Effect. 8

2. 77i£ Second Dream of Sun, Moon, and Stars. 9-1 1

a. 77ie Dream. 9

0. 77t<? Effect. io, 11

c. THE BETRAYAL. 12-36

i. The Journey to his Brethren. 12-17

a. .Sent to Shechem. 12-16

0. On to Dothan. 17

2. 77i£ Conspiracy. 18-22 a. The Plot. 18-20 /3. Reuben's Interference. 21, 22

3. 77t£ Capture. 23, 24

0. Stripped of the Coat. 23

p. Ca.?i info the Pit. 24

4. 77te Sale. 25-28

a. Judah's Advice. 25-27

p. Carried to Egypt. 28

5. The Deception. 29-32

a. Reuben's Concern. 29, 30

fi. The Lie. 31, 32

6. 77ie GrtV/ 0/ Jacob. 33-35

a. 77i<? bloody Coat. 33

j3. 77;e stricken Man. 34, 35

7. 77z£ Coming to Egypt. 36

a. So/d into Slavery.

0. The House of Potiphar.

iii. Judah's Corruption. xxxviii.

a. HIS MARRIAGE TO A CANAANITE. 1, 2

b. THE CHILDREN. 3-5

c. TAMAR. 6-30

i. Married to Er. 6, 7

2. Married to Onan. 8-10

3. Waiting for Shelah. 11

4. £?>r 7>a/> /or Judah. 12-26

5. T/j£ .BzW/} 0/ Perez and Zerah. 27-30

Regeneration 219

ii. Joseph at Home and in Exile

From this point, though Jacob appears more than once again in the sacred narrative, the history centres round Joseph ; and in many respects there is no more remarkable figure upon the page of Old Testament history. In the present section he is seen as the object of his father's love, a love which may certainly be accounted for by the fact that he was the firstborn of Rachel, but which was also due to the ingenuous simplicity of his disposition, and the strong integrity of his character. There are three movements in the picture ; the first being that of the home life; the second that of his dreams; and the third that of his betrayal by his brethren.

a. THE HOME LIFE

Jacob was now dwelling in the old home- stead, in the land of his father's sojournings; and there Joseph, being seventeen years of age, was occupied in feeding the flocks, in com- pany with the sons of Bilhah and of Zilpah. His father's love for him was specially indi- cated by the coat which he wore. The word employed for " coat " suggests the long-sleeved garment which was worn by the heir, a posi-

%

220 Genesis

tion which Joseph occupied by the will of his father, after the sin of Reuben, already re- ferred to. In consequence of this he was hated of his brethren.

O. THE DREAMS

Naturally imaginative and romantic, and given to dreams, God through this avenue sug- gested to him his coming position and power. With simple artlessness he told the dreams to his brethren. The character of Joseph, as sub- sequently revealed, makes it impossible to believe that he had ulterior motives in so doing. The construction which his brethren placed upon them was undoubtedly the true one ; but they arrived at the conclusion as the result of the position he occupied among them by the appointment of his father; and their interpretation of his feeling by their own jealousies.

C. THE BETRAYAL

The story of his betrayal is graphically told, and needs no detailed repetition. Sent by his father to seek them, he travelled to Shechem, and on to Dothan. They entered into a con- spiracy to slay him, but Reuben, the one most

Regeneration 221

implicated in Jacob's preference for Joseph, interfered to deliver him out of their hands,^ proposing that he should be cast into a pit from which he intended presently to rescue him, and send him back to his father. Having done this, unknown to Keuben, they sold him to a company of Ishmaelites, who carried him to Egypt. The picture of Jacob in his grief is very real. In the meantime Joseph was sold into slavery, and came into the house of Poti- phar, an officer of Pharaoh's.

Surveying this story from the standpoint of the Divine purpose, it is a simple instance of the over-ruling of the wrath and malice of men by God in purposes of mercy and grace.

iii. Judah's Corruption

The story of the corruption of Judah imme- diately follows, and again is so graphically told as to need no detailed exposition. It car- ries its own lessons of the frailty of human nature, and of the far-reaching effects of sin.

Its placing at this point in the history is suggestive and full of importance. So far the setting forth of the first movements in the working of regeneration have been almost ex- clusively occupied with individuals. There is gradually emerging into view the larger

222 Genesis

purpose of the regeneration of the family and of society. The conditions which made pos- sible the sin of Judah, and that sin itself, reveal the necessity for another new departure. There is a marked tendency towards the cor- ruption of the chosen people by unhallowed intercourse with the peoples of the land. If there had been no Divine over-ruling, and they had been left to themselves, in all probability the chosen seed would have been utterly corrupted, and the very purposes of regeneration through them frustrated.

While Judah was thus sinning, Joseph was already in Egypt. Glancing ahead for a moment, we see the purpose of his being there in the economy of God. Preparation was al- ready being made for the segregation of the chosen people for a long period, in which their separation from or mixture with other people was secured by the rigid exclusiveness of the Egyptians. Another and an almost startling value of this terrible story of corruption is that it introduces to us Tamar and Perez, who are both named in the genealogical table of our Lord, which is found in the Gospel of Matthew.

in. OF SOCIETY.

xxxix. 1. 21

i. Preparation in Egypt.

a. JOSEPH IN SLAVERY, i. His Success.

o. Purchased by Potiphar.

Blessed by Jehovah. Trusted by Potiphar.

xxxix. — xlv. xxxix., xl.

xxxix. 1-6

3-6

2. His 1 emptation.

7-10

a. The Suggestion refused.

7-9

p. Persistence.

10

y. The Slander.

11-19

3. His Imprisonment.

xxxix.

20 — xl.

a. The Favour of Jehovah.

xxxix. 20-23

Imprisoned by Potiphar.

20

Trusted by the Keeper.

21-23

p. The Dreams of Prisoners.

xl.

Imprisonment of Butler and

Baker.

1-4

Their Dreams and Sadness.

5-8

The Butler's Dream.

9-15

The Dream told.

9-1 1

The Dream interpreted.

12, 13

Joseph's Plea.

14. 15

The Baker's Dream.

16-19

The Dream told.

16, 17

The Dream interpreted.

18, 19

The Fulfilment.

20-22

Joseph forgotten.

23

Regeneration 225

III. OP SOCIETY

We now begin the history of Joseph in Egypt which is so full of interest, dealing as it does with the Divine method in the regener- ation of a Society threatened with corruption, and leading on to the movement toward the regeneration of national life. This division, which is the last of the book in detail, falls into two main parts, the first dealing with the preparation in Egypt for the coming of the children of Israel ; and the second with the segregation of Israel in order to the accom- plishment of Divine purpose.

i. Preparation in Egypt

The account of the preparation in Egypt is centred in Joseph, and falls into three sec- tions ; the first dealing with Joseph in slavery ; the second with Joseph in power; and the third with Joseph and his brethren.

a. JOSEPH IN SLAVERY

The story of Joseph in slavery deals with his success; his temptation; and his imprison- ment.

226 Genesis

1. His Success

Through the malice of his brethren he had been sold into slavery, and we now see him in the house of Potiphar. Here, at the very com- mencement of the record of his life and work in Egypt, the statement is made which gives us the secret of all his wonderful success, " Je- hovah was with him " ; and immediately we are impressed by the fact that to that state- ment another is linked, " his master saw that Jehovah was with him." In these statements we have the picture of a man in circumstances full of difficulty, because they were those which are always calculated to degrade life. He was a slave, held by another man as his property. Nevertheless in these very circum- stances he so lived as to demonstrate to his master the fact that he was a man having communion with God. This conviction in the mind of Potiphar resulted in the promotion of Joseph to a position of trust. While it is perfectly true that godly men must suffer per- secution sooner or later, it is equally true that the life of simple godliness commands the respect and trust even of ungodly men.

Regeneration 227

2. His Temptation

The story of his temptation is graphically told. It was a temptation subtle and fierce, presenting itself as it did through one who was supposed to be infinitely his superior in social position. His quiet and heroic victory is a revelation of the strength of a man who lives in habitual communion with God, even under stress of temptation which is at once subtle, sudden, and strong. Having failed to lead him into sin, his temptress became his slanderer.

3. His Imprisonment

a. The Favour of Jehovah

Again Joseph found his circumstances changed as Potiphar sent him to prison. Im- mediately the same affirmation is made, as at the commencement, " Jehovah was with him " ; and the fact was manifest in the prison as in the household of Potiphar, with practi- cally the same result of promotion to a posi- tion of trust. The story is a radiant revelation of the wonderful truth that God is always loyal to the man who is loyal to Him. Whether in slavery or in prison, in prosperity

228 Genesis

or in adversity, Jehovah was with Joseph, and in that sacred and gracious fellowship he was triumphant over circumstances.

/?. The Dreams of Prisoners

The methods of God are generally those of the over-ruling of the simple things of life. There is no study more fascinating in the Divine Oracles, or in human experience, than that of the wonderful mosaic of the Divine government. There are no forces nor facts upon which God does not lay His hand in quiet strength and majesty, and make them tribu- tary to the accomplishment of His purpose. He now wrought in the case of Joseph with great certainty and exactness, through the un- certain and inexact medium of dreams. Prisoners of Pharaoh were troubled in the night, and through such troubling God pro- ceeded in the carrying out of His designs.

Soon after the imprisonment of Joseph the chief butler and the chief baker at Pharaoh's court in some way offended their lord, and in consequence were committed to the prison. The captain of the guard put them under the care of Joseph. After a period of imprison- ment they dreamed dreams which filled them with sadness. Joseph inquired the reason of their sadness, and they told him their dreams.

Regeneration 229

In this connection he is still seen as a man entirely dependent upon his God, in that he declared to them that interpretation be- longed to Him. In that dependence he inter- preted their dreams, foretelling the restora- tion of the butler to power, and the condemna- tion of the baker to death.

Three days after this, his interpretation was vindicated, and his prophecy fulfilled.

There is a beautifully human touch in the request which Joseph made to the butler, " Have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee " ; showing that a man may be living in true fellowship with God, triumph- ing in many ways over the limitations of his position, and yet conscious of the irksomeness of restrictions which, on the human side, he has no right to be enduring. He was conscious of the limitation of his life, and evidently sighed, as every healthy man must do, for liberty, and the larger possibilities which would come therewith.

There is another human touch, quite as natural, in the words, " chief butler . . . forgat him.'' How good it is to remember that God did not forget him.

b. JOSEPH IN POWER. xli.

i. Interpretation.

i-37

a. Pharaoh's Dreams.

1-8

The First, of the Kine.

i-4

The Second, of the Corn.

5-7

The Helplessness of Magicians.

8

0. Joseph's Interpretation.

9-32

The Butler's Confession.

9-13

Joseph sent for.

14

Pharaoh and Joseph.

IS. 16

The Request.

The Answer.

Pharaoh tells his Dreams.

17-24

Joseph interprets.

25-32

Seven Years of Plenty.

Seven Years of Famine.

y. Joseph's Advice.

33-37

The Appointment of Officers.

The Conserving of the Plenty.

2. Exaltation.

38-45

a. Appointment.

38-41

p. Insignia.

42,43

y. Favour.

44.45

3. Administration. 46-57

o. The Seven Years of Plenty. 46-53

The garnered Corn. 46-49

The two Sons. 50-52

Manasseh.

Ephraim.

The End of the Seven Years. 53

fi. The Seven Years of Famine. 54-57

Supply for Egyptians. 54, 55

Supply for other Countries. 56, 57

Regeneration 231

b. JOSEPH IN POWER

We now pass to the consideration of how, under the government of God, Joseph came into the position of power in Egypt ; and the section may be divided into three parts, dealing in turn with Joseph's interpretation, exaltation, and administration.

1. Interpretation

Still the Divine activity proceeded, this time through the dreaming king and the remember- ing butler. Pharaoh was troubled by his strange dreams concerning the kine and the corn, and the more so, because neither the magicians of Egypt nor the wise men could interpret to him the meaning of these dreams.

It was at this time, two years having passed away, that the butler remembered Joseph ; and he confessed to Pharaoh his fault, recounting his experience in the prison, and how that Jo- seph had accurately interpreted, both his own dream, and that of the chief baker.

Pharaoh immediately sent for him, and as he stood before the king, he maintained the

same attitude of dependence upon God, boldly proclaiming that dependence. In answer to the king's statement that he had heard that

232 Genesis

when Joseph heard a dream he could interpret it, he replied, " It is not in me : God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." The king then told his dreams to Joseph; and without hesi- tation, and with great clearness, he interpreted their meaning to him, adding to his interpreta- tion his advice that he should appoint officers and conserve the plenty of the first seven years, in order to supply the need of the second seven. It is noticeable how definitely Joseph announced that the character of the years was within the government of God, and that the dreams had been given to Pharaoh by God.

2. Exaltation

The dreams being thus interpreted, Pharaoh immediately recognized in Joseph " a man in whom the spirit of God is " ; a very remark- able description as coming from the lips of this man.

This recognition was followed by the ap- pointment of Joseph to the first place of power in the kingdom, next to that of the king him- self, with the clear declaration of the fact that the appointment was made because the king recognized that he had spoken under the direc- tion of God.

Regeneration 233

This appointment was followed by the con- ferring upon Joseph of the insignia of office; as Pharaoh placed his own signet-ring upon the hand of Joseph, arrayed him in fine linen, placed about his neck a gold chain, and caused him to ride in the second chariot, while the couriers proclaimed him and called upon the people to make obeisance before him.

He conferred upon him the name Zaphe- nath-paneah, which means Abundance-of-life, and gave him to wife Asenath, who was the daughter of an Egyptian priest in On, which was the city of the sun, the great educational centre in Egypt. These actions on the part of Pharaoh were of the nature of favours con- ferred upon Joseph.

3. Administration

Thus, when only thirty years of age, Joseph stood in the position of practically supreme power in Egypt, and commenced that masterly administration of affairs which resulted not only in the succour of Egypt, but in the mate- rial salvation of his own kin; and in their being brought into the place of separation from corruption, and prepared for emergence

234 Genesis

into national life in fulfilment of the council of Jehovah.

During the seven years of plenty there were born to him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

Thus the story of the activity of Jehovah through this man Joseph moves forward. In slavery, in prison, at the court of the king, Jehovah was with His servant. This fact was recognized in turn by Potiphar, the chief keeper of the prison, and Pharaoh himself; and in each case the result was that Joseph was placed in a position of power, in the house of his master, in the prison of his confinement, and in the realm of the king.

True godliness will manifest itself. No- thing but genuine godliness ever commands respect.

Thus the great regenerative movement pro- ceeded, and things were surely developing to- ward the accomplishment of the Divine pur- pose. One of the chief values of these Old Testament histories is the revelation of these underlying principles. This story of Joseph is not merely that of a condition of affairs which obtained millenniums ago. In all essen- tial values it is a story of the hour in which we live. In the midst of the movements of our own age, though men may be utterly un-

Regeneration 235

conscious of it, the Divine purpose is being wrought out through human history; and all forces, material, mental, and moral, are being compelled to contribute toward the consum- mation upon which the heart of God is set.

c. JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. xlii.-xlv.

i. The first Visit. xiii.

a. The Sending of the Ten. 1-5

p. The Meeting with Joseph. 6-25

The Obeisance of the Ten. 6

The first Interview. 7-16

The Inquiry and Answer. 7

The Charge and Answer. 8-13

The Demand. 14-16

In Ward. 17

The second Interview.

The Demand of Joseph.

The Consultation of the Ten. 21, 22

The Emotion of Joseph. 24a

The Hostage. Simeon. 24b

The Command of Joseph. 25

y. The Return of the Nine. 26-38

The Discovery on the Way. 26-28

The Report to Jacob. 29-35

The Wail of Jacob. 36

The Offer of Reuben. 37

The Refusal of Jacob. 38

10-24 18-20

Regeneration 237

C. JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN

The seven years of plenty having run their * course, those of famine immediately fol- lowed in accordance with the prediction of Joseph. Through his executive ability, Egypt was provided with corn sufficient, not only for its own needs, but to enable it to supply other peoples. Under this necessity his breth- ren came down from Canaan to procure corn from Egypt; and the account of his meeting with them after more than twenty years falls into two parts ; the first dealing with their first visit ; and the second with their second.

1. The First Visit

The account of their first visit to Egypt tells how ten were sent by their father, of their meeting with their brother Joseph, and of how nine returned to Jacob.

a. The Sending of the Ten

The words of Jacob to his sons, " Why do ye look one upon another? " make it evident that the famine in Canaan was severe, and had produced distress there. In sending them to Egypt he kept Benjamin by him. Evidently

238 Genesis

his sorrow over the loss of Joseph was yet fresh in his heart, and he was not sure of the trustworthiness of his older sons.

A The Meeting with Joseph

At last, in fulfilment of the dream of long ago, these brethren of Joseph bowed down in his presence. Immediately recognizing them, he treated them as strangers, and " spake roughly to them," demanding whence they came. On receiving their answer that they had come from the land of Canaan to buy food, he charged them with being spies. In the course of their answer, when questioned about themselves, they said, " We are . . . twelve brethren . . . one is not." Even though they did not know Joseph, they were conscious of their guilt. It would seem as though the wrong done to their brother long ago had haunted them through the j^ears, the sense of it recurring with new force in any hour of danger. Though they had no idea that the Egyptian governor was their brother, the memory of the sin sprang vividly up when they found themselves in peril of complica- tions.

Upon their confession that they were twelve, Joseph instituted no inquiry as to the

Regeneration 239

one to whom they referred when they said, he " is not " ; but demanded that they should dis- prove the charge he had made against them, by producing their youngest brother. He cast them into prison for three days, at the end of which time he granted them permission to go, carrying corn with them, providing that they left one of their number as hostage for their reappearance with their youngest brother.

Of course, not knowing that he could under- stand their language, they talked together in his presence of the wrong they had done to Joseph, and declared their belief that their present position was a judgment on them for their sin.

Hearing them thus engaged in conversation, all the memories of the bygone days came back vividly to Joseph, and he was moved to tears.

He retained Simeon as hostage, and sent them on their way, having commanded that the money which they had brought should be placed in their sacks.

y. The Return of the Nine

Thus nine of them returned to their father Jacob. Discovering their money in their sacks on the way, they were filled with even

240 Genesis

greater consternation, being unable to under- stand what it portended.

Arrived in Canaan they carefully reported to their father all that had passed in Egypt.

When he heard that the governor had de- manded the presence of Benjamin, he broke out into a wailing rebuke of his sons, declar- ing, " all these things are against me."

This was not the language of faith, and yet surely no one can criticize him, for the outlook was dark enough. Had he been a man of sim- pler faith, perchance he might have been able to say, " all things work together for good." This was actually so, for those things which seemed to be against him were working to- gether for the restoration to him of his long- lost son, and for the moving forward toward completion of those gracious purposes for which he and his father stood. We may surely learn, as we listen to the wail of Jacob, that it is never wise to measure the facts of any hour by the limitations of our own vision.

Reuben offered that his two sons should remain with Jacob as guarantee of the safety of Benjamin, but the old man was obdurate, and declared that he would not spare him, see- ing that his brother was dead, and he only was left. In these words his abiding love for Rachel is clearly manifest.

The Second Visit.

xliii. — xlv.

a.

The Consultation with Israel.

xliii. i -14

The Necessity through Famine.

1

The Charge of Israel.

2

The Speech of Judah.

3-5

The Complaint of Israel.

6

The Reply of the Nine.

7

The Offer of Judah.

8-10

The Consent of Israel.

11-14

p.

The Return to Egypt.

15-34

Official Reception.

15

The Reception in Joseph's Home.

16-34

The Command of Joseph.

16, 17

The Fear of his Brethren.

18-24

Their Appeal to the Steward.

18-22

His Reassurance.

23.24

The Meeting with Joseph.

25-30

The Presentation.

25, 26

Joseph's Inquiries.

27, 28

Joseph's Emotion.

29. 30

The Feast.

31-34

y-

The Departure from Egypt.

xliv. 1-3

The Command of Joseph.

1, 2a

The Corn.

The Money and the silver Cup.

The Going.

2b, 3

s.

The Arrest and Return.

4-i3

The Charge.

4-6

The Denial.

7-9

The Finding of the Cup.

10-12

The Return.

13

Regeneration 24.3

2. The Second Visit

The story of the second visit is longer, and even more full of interest. It may be divided into seven parts, dealing respectively with the consultation with Israel, the return to Egypt, the departure from Egypt, the arrest and re- turn, the revealing interview with Joseph, the action of Pharaoh, and the return to Israel.

a. The Consultation with Israel

The continuation of the famine pressed hardly upon the Hebrews, and made it neces- sary that there should be another journey to Egypt to procure corn. All the old character- istics of Jacob manifest themselves in this story.

Judah reminded his father seriously and plainly that the governor in Egypt had de- clared that they should not see his face unless their brother were with them; and told him that they were willing to go on condition that Benjamin accompanied them, and on no other condition.

Then the cunning of Israel was manifested in his question, " Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? " They all replied that they had

244 Genesis

been asked the definite question, which was not strictly true, for they themselves had de- clared to Joseph " thy servants are twelve brethren . . . and behold, the youngest is this day with our father."

Judah again urged his father to consent to the going of Benjamin, promising to stand surety for his safe restoration.

And once again the old spirit manifested itself in his arrangement to send a present, and so to appease the man. If things were against him as he had declared, he had not wholly lost confidence in his own ability to manipulate them to his own advantage. Thus all unconsciously, he was revealing himself by his perpetual method of attempting to deal with men. He always seemed to think that the great end was to gain something, and evi- dently he believed that this was the motive of the Egyptian governor, and that, therefore, he might be bribed into complacency. How often we but reveal ourselves in our estimates of others!

ft. The Return to Egypt

The picture of Joseph here is full of beauty. He was now, so far as worldly position was concerned, one of the greatest of men, occupy-

Regeneration 245

ing a place of honour, and even of interna- tional influence. Yet the springs of his true life were not dried up. His emotional nature was quick and active. This in itself is a sure evidence that he was a man living in fellow- ship with God. The perils of powerful posi- tions are in some senses subtler and more mighty than those of slavery or of prison. Ad- vancement, with the greater ease and more luxuriant circumstances attendant upon it, too often serve to deaden the finer emotions of the soul. Even in such circumstances, how- ever, a man is safe if Jehovah is with him.

Having officially received them, he com- manded his steward that they were to be taken to his house, and that a feast was to be pre- pared for them.

This action on his part filled them with ap- prehension, and they feared that it was a trap to capture them as bondmen. They appealed to the steward, declaring the honesty of their coming and their intention. He immediately reassured them, declaring that he had their money, and that the treasure which they had found in their sacks was the gift of God to them.

At the hour of Joseph's return he received them kindly, and inquired after their father. When he saw Benjamin, his heart was full,

246 Genesis

and he left them and entered into his own chamber and wept. The rush of emotion which drove him into secrecy for weeping was as surely evidence of his true greatness, as were the statesmanlike qualities which had served him in the administration of the af- fairs of Egypt in the hour of difficulty. It is to be noticed that at this feast there was a clear line of separation between the Egyptians and the Hebrews, because the Egyptians con- sidered it an abomination to eat with those who were shepherds. All this was part of the Divine plan for the separation of the Hebrew people, and will be seen more clearly as we proceed.

y. The Departure from Egypt

After the feast, by the command of Joseph, their sacks were filled with food, and again their money fastened in the mouth of the sacks, while his own silver cup was placed in the sack of Benjamin. In the morning of the following day they started on their homeward journey. Criticisms of Joseph's actions with regard to the placing of money and his cup in the sacks of his brethren have sometimes been offered. Surely such criticisms, to put the matter in the mildest form, reveal a lack

Regeneration 247

of humour on the part of the critics. The story is really natural and beautiful. Such methods are only possible to a man who re- tains the heart of a boy. Joseph was deliber- ately preparing for a dramatic ending, and one can imagine his quiet enjoyment of the temporary perturbation of his brethren, as he moved forward toward the moment when he would reveal himself, and be able to pour out upon them all the pent-up love of his heart.

d . The Arrest and Return

They were quickly followed by Joseph's steward, and in spite of their protestations of innocence, their sacks were searched; and on the discovery of the silver cup in the sack of Benjamin, they were taken back to the city.

e. The revealing Interview with Joseph. xliv. 14 — xlv. 15

The first Conversation. 14-17

The Obeisance of the Eleven. 14

The Question of Joseph. 15

The Submission of Judah. 16

The Decision of Joseph. 17

The Plea of Judah. 18-34

The Story told. 18-29

The Fear for his Father. 30-32

The Offer as Substitute. 33, 34

The Answer of Joseph. xlv. 1-15

He made himself known. 1-3

The Exclusion of his Court.

His Emotion.

His Declaration.

Their Fear.

He spoke to them- 4-13

Declared the Rule of God. 4-8

Commanded them to bring Jacob. 9-13

He embraced them. 14, 15

{. The Action of Pharaoh. 16-20

His Pleasure. 16

His. Command to Joseph. 17-20

i). The Return to Israel. 21-28

The Gifts of Joseph. 21-23

The Warning. 24

The Report to Jacob. 25-28

Regeneration 249

f. The revealing Interview with Joseph

Again in the presence of Joseph these men made obeisance, in fulfilment of the dream of his youth.

There is a nobleness and a beauty in the plea of Judah on behalf of his father. In the background of his eloquent appeal there was evidently a keen consciousness of the sin of the past, and a desire so far as might be to atone, or at least to prevent any further catas- trophe darkening the last days of the old man. With a splendid devotion to this high purpose, he asked to be allowed to take the place of Benjamin, in the mouth of whose sack the cup of the governor had been found.

At last the moment for which Joseph had been planning arrived, and he determined in this hour of their greatest perplexity and dis- tress to make himself known to them. A man of so great a heart could not do so without be- traying his emotion, and his first action was that of commanding that every man other than his brethren should leave his presence. He then broke out into loud lamentation, which even the Egyptians of the house of Pharaoh heard. How astonished his brethren must have been, seeing that as yet they could not know the reason of his tears. In a voice

250 Genesis

broken with emotion he at last said, " I am Joseph ; doth my father yet live? " It is not to be wondered at that they could not answer him, and he then more carefully declared that he indeed was Joseph their brother, whom they had sold into Egypt.

In this account of Joseph's revelation of himself to his brothers, the chief value for us is to be found in his recognition of the gov- ernment of God in the history of the past. He distinctly declared to them, " It was not you that sent me hither, but God." This capacity for ignoring secondary causes is one of the surest signs of greatness, but it is only pos- sible to men of faith. Yet how great it en- ables a man to be! Recognizing the Divine over-ruling, Joseph was able to forget the action of his brethren, when they sold him into slavery. The same power was manifest long after in Paul, who, speaking after the manner of men, was a prisoner of Nero, never referred to himself as such, but always described him- self as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Super- latively and finally was this manifested in Christ, when He said to Pilate, " Thou wouldest have no power against Me, except it were given thee from above." It is a con- sciousness only possible in the life of habitual communion, the condition of such com-

Regeneration 251

muuion is purity of heart. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," over- ruling all circumstances.

Having thus declared his conviction con- cerning his presence in Egypt, he commanded them to depart, and to bring Jacob back with them. The picture of Joseph and Benjamin, locked in each other's embrace, is full of beauty. Having also embraced his brethren it is said, " And after that his brethren talked with him." The sure evidences of his love set them free from fear, and made communion pos- sible.

<?. The Action of Pharaoh

The importance of the position Joseph occu- pied in Egypt is clearly seen in the attitude of Pharaoh toward his father and his brethren, who, when it was reported to him, " Joseph's brethren are come," was pleased; and com- manded Joseph to send for the whole com- pany of his own people, and lay before them the good of the land of Egypt. He moreover instructed Joseph to send wagons in which to bring the whole company down.

V. The Return to Israel

Thus, accompanied by the caravans of Egypt, and laden with presents, they returned

252 Genesis

to their father. Very significant was the word Joseph addressed to them as they departed, " See that ye fall not out by the way." He evi- dently knew them well.

With what peculiar joy old Jacob must have heard the news that his son was alive! Though at first his heart fainted, yet his spirit revived, and there is a beautiful tenderness in his words, " It is enough ; Joseph my son is yet alive : I will go and see him before I die."

Thus he was beginning to discover that the things which he had declared to be against him, were really for him, under the govern- ment of his covenant-keeping God. How good a thing it is for all of us that when our faith wravers, God does not change His mind or purpose concerning us, but moves right on in infinite Love toward the final good. How much of feverish unrest should we be spared if these stories of the past might only teach us to repose our confidence in God, rather than in circumstances, and quietly to wait His time!

ii. Segregation of Israel. xivi.— 1.21

a. JOSEPH AND HIS FAMILY. xlvi.,xlvii.

i. The Coming front Canaan. xivi. — xivii. 10

a. The Journey of Israel. xivi. 1-7

Sacrifices at Beer-sheba. 1

The Divine Appearance. 2-4

The Journey. 5-7

0. The List of the Children of Israel. 8-27

Sons of Leah. 8-15

Sons of Zilpah. 16-18

Sons of Rachel. 19-22

Sons of Bilhah. 23-25

Totals. 26, 27

y. The Meeting with Joseph. 28-30

Judah sent forward. 28

Joseph and his Father. 29, 30

S. Joseph's Charge to his Brethren. 31-34

The Charge. _3i-34a

The Reason. 34&

t. Jacob and Pharaoh. xlvii. 1-10

Joseph reports to Pharaoh. 1

The Deputation of Five. 2-6

The Question of Pharaoh. 3a

The Answer of the Five. 3b, 4

The Command of Pharaoh. 5, 6

The Presentation of Jacob. 7-10

2. The Settlement in Goshen. xlvii. n-31

o. The Appointment. 11, 12

(Parenthesis. i3-26>

Administration of Joseph. J

j3. The Prosperity. 27 y. The Covenant between Jacob and Joseph. 28-31 To bury him in Canaan.

Regeneration 255

ii. Segregation of Israel

The story of the going down of Jacob and his sons into Egypt must be read in the light of that whole Divine movement which we are attempting to keep in mind in the study of this book, for it is distinctly a part of the pro- gramme of God. It may be divided into two parts, that first dealing with Joseph and his family; and secondly that dealing with Joseph, his sons, and his father.

a. JOSEPH AND HIS FAMILY

The section dealing with the family of Jo- seph and their coming into Egypt falls into two parts, the first telling the story of the com- ing from Canaan; and the second giving an account of their settlement in Goshen.

1. The Coming from Canaan

The first stage of the journey of Israel was to Beer-sheba, where he offered sacrifices to God, and where God appeared to him, and charged him not to be afraid, making him a threefold promise. The first note of that promise was that He would make of him a great nation there, that is, in Egypt. How

256 Genesis

much lay concealed in that word, Jacob in all probability, did not understand. To him the promise would be interpreted as meaning great in numbers, and that it had such inten- tion there can be no doubt; but history shows that it meant far more, for through discipline and suffering, the nation was to be made great in other ways than numerically. God only re- veals to men at any given time so much as they are able to bear.

Yet in case any fear should come to the heart of His servant, He promised him sec- ondly, " I will go down with thee " ; and finally, " I will . . . bring thee up." It is interesting to note that on this occasion God still spoke to him by his old name, Jacob; recognizing that he had not even yet experi- mentally entered into all that was in the will of God for him; and indicating the fact that notwithstanding his failure to realize all, God would still continue to guide.

Having thus sacrificed to God, and received his message, Jacob rose up ; and accompanied by his sons, their little ones, and their wives, they journeyed in the wagons which Pharaoh had provided, into Egypt.

Next in order we have a full list of those who thus went down with Jacob into Egypt.

Three-score and six actually accompanied

Regeneration 257

him. Joseph and his two sons, who were also counted as belonging to the house of Israel, were already in the land; and Jochebed, the mother of Moses, born after arrival, was prob- ably also counted in the seventy of the total.1

Judah was sent forward to show the way to Goshen, where Joseph met them; and the meeting between himself and his father was a glad one.

Joseph's charge to his brethren in view of their presentation to Pharaoh was most care- ful, and was undoubtedly part of the Divine purpose for the segregation of the people. He charged them to be careful to declare them- selves to Pharaoh as shepherds. This would ensure the maintenance of the line of separa- tion between the Egyptians and the Hebrews, because " every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians."

The picture of Jacob before Pharaoh is char- acterized by a striking dignity. One of the most interesting lines of study in the history of Jacob is the way in which he alternated between faith and fear. When presented to Pharaoh the deepest side of his nature was manifested, that of his faith in God, and his

1 The reference in Acts vii. 14 to seventy-five souls would include some of his kindred, who were not " out of his loins " (Gen. xlvi. 26).

258 Genesis

consciousness of his own position in the Divine economy. This was seen in his patriarchal blessing of Pharaoh. He was receiving from Pharaoh a place in which to dwell, and yet he pronounced a blessing upon him. The less is ever blessed of the greater, and there would seem to have been in the action of Jacob a consciousness of Divine over-ruling inspiring his action. This is the true attitude of the people of faith. They ever recognize that they are channels of blessing to those with whom they come in contact. Such consciousness, however, does not create the tone of officious superiority, but rather inspires the desire to confer blessing. The true dignity of a godly people amongst ungodly men is that of the bestowment of blessing, and never that of the assumption of secular authority.

2. The Settlement in Goshen

The formal presentation to Pharaoh being over, Israel and his sons were given a posses- sion in the land, and Joseph made provision for their need.

In this section we have a glimpse of Joseph as the administrator of Egyptian affairs. His policy must be judged by the times in which he lived. We need only notice in passing that

Regeneration 259

it was a policy which ensured at once the in- terests of the king, of the nation, and of the people themselves. It was one of unification and consolidation. The point of particular interest for us is the bearing of it on the his- tory of Israel. By the centralization of authority in one head, he precluded the possibility of the harassment of the Hebrew people by the Egyptians, and the rivalries of petty princes. Of course, it is equally true that by this very action he made possible what subsequently happened, the enslaving of the whole people by the will of the supreme Pharaoh. Thus again the hand of God was seen operating through Egyptian policy for the immediate safety of His people; and ulti- mately for the long discipline of slavery and suffering through which they were to pass.

Thus settled in Goshen, the Hebrew people entered upon a period of prosperity. In this section it is again interesting to notice the in- terchange of names made use of. In referring to the whole of the people it is declared that Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, and it is said of them, " they gat them possessions . . . were fruitful . . . multiplied." Referring to the man it is said that Jacob lived in the land of Egypt; but when the reference is to his coming death, he is described as Israel. Thus

260 Genesis

the conflicting forces within him are manifest. He was still Jacob, the schemer and the sup- planter, even though he dwelt in the land which he possessed through no plan of his own, but wholly by the government of God. It would seem as though never until the end did he fully realize his Israel life, and in this con- nection it is interesting to notice that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews only speaks of his faith as manifest, when dying, he blessed his sons, and worshipped; and even then he speaks of him as Jacob.

In the present section both his faith and his fears are manifest; his faith in that he chose to be buried with his fathers; his fear in that he made Joseph swear so to bury him.

b. JOSEPH, HIS SONS, AND HIS FATHER. xlviii.— 1. 21

i. Jacob's Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh. xlviii.

o. The Coming of Joseph. 1, 2

0. The Words of Jacob. 3-7

The Promise of God. 3. 4

The Claim of the Two. 5

The Remainder of Joseph's Sons. 6

The Reference to Rachel. 7

y. The Reception of the Boys. 8-14

Brought to Israel. 8-12

Presented by Joseph. 13

The crossed Hands. 14

S. The Blessing of Joseph. 15, 16

In the Name of God. 15

On the Boys. 16

e. The Protest of Joseph. 17-20

The Right of the Firstborn. 17, 18

The Foresight of Faith. 19. 20

C The last Words to Joseph. 21, 22

The Presence of God. 21

The extra Portion. 22

Regeneration 263

b. JOSEPH/ HIS SONS, AND HIS FATHER

In this section we have three divisions deal- ing respectively with Jacob's adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh; Jacob's prophecy concerning his sons; and Jacob's passing and burial.

1. Jacob's Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh

Here again we are arrested by the inter- change of names. Jacob was sick, but hearing that Joseph was coming to see him, it was Israel who strengthened himself and sat upon the bed. And yet again Jacob spoke. In what he said to Joseph concerning his sons there was still evident the planning of the schemer, who in his own foresight would make arrange- ments for the retention of Joseph and his seed within the covenant of promise.

And yet how wonderfully the Divine over- ruling is seen even in this matter, for in this determination of Jacob to adopt Ephraim and Manasseh, provision was made for the re- demption of Joseph from Egypt. He had mar- ried an Egyptian woman, and occupied a place of peculiar power in Egypt. What more likely than that his sons would be brought up

264 Genesis

as Egyptians? The action of Jacob claimed these boys as his own, and thus retained the succession of Joseph within the border of that people whom God had created, and was pre- paring for the carrying out of His own pur- pose.

He first declared to Joseph the promise which God Almighty had made to him, that he and his seed should have the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. He then claimed the two sons born to Joseph before his own arrival in Egypt, declaring that the other sons of Joseph should remain to possess their inheritance in their own land.

Very touching was his reference to Rachel, as he talked to Joseph, showing how she still occupied the supreme place in his affection.

In all the remainder of this particular story the name used is Israel, and the whole attitude and action of the man was that of faith. In the presentation of the boys Joseph was care- ful to take Manasseh, the elder, by the left hand, so that the right hand of Jacob should rest upon him in blessing. Israel immediately crossed his hands, thus laying the right hand upon the head of Ephraim, and the left upon that of Manasseh. He then uttered the actual words of the blessing, in which one hears nothing save the language of triumphant confi-

Regeneration 265

dence, " The God which hath fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads ; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." There was a fine note of dis- crimination running through the words of this blessing. He did not himself claim to have walked before God. His fathers Abraham and Isaac had done that. He did claim that He had always fed him, and that he had been re- deemed from all evil. When he said, " let my name be named on them," he was undoubtedly referring to the name Israel.

Joseph protested against the crossing of his father's hands, and attempted to move the right hand of the old man from the head of Ephraim to that of Manasseh, because Manas- seh was the firstborn.

It is evident that Israel had acted entirely under a Divine impulse in the crossing of his hands; and that the right hand lying on Ephraim's head and the left upon Manasseh's was the carrying out of a Divine purpose. It was a moment of high inspiration, in which Israel foresaw in clear outline the things which were to come. In the crossing of those hands, and the transference of the principal

266 Genesis

blessing from the elder to the younger, he was acting as the visible agent of the God of elec- tion. Yet let it be immediately noted, and that carefully, that in the light of subsequent his- tory it is proven that this election of God was not capricious, but in harmony with the char- acter of the two men.

The last words of Israel to Joseph were first those in which he declared that God would be with him, and would bring him again into the land of his fathers; and secondly those in which he told him that he had given him a por- tion above his brethren in material possession in that land.

Notwithstanding all his faults and failures, this son of Isaac and Abraham was indeed a child of faith, and an instrument through whom it was possible for God to carry forward His purposes.

2. Jacob's Prophecy concerning his Sons. xiix. 1-27

a. The Assembly. 1, 2

0. The Messages. 3-27

Reuben. 3, 4

The Firstborn.

Unstable. Simeon and Levi. 5-7

Cruelty.

Divided and scattered. Judah. 8-12

Kingship.

The Sceptre till Shiloh. Zebulun. 13

By the Sea.

Commerce. Issachar. 14, 15

Indolence.

Service. Dan. 16-18

Judgeship.

Treachery. Gad. 19

Oppressed.

Victorious. Asher. 20

Prosperity.

Supply. Naphtali. 21

Freedom.

Speech. Joseph. 22-26

Fruitfulness. 22

Persecuted. 23

Strengthened. 24

Blessed. 25, 26

Benjamin. 27

Fierceness.

Victory.

Regeneration 269

2. Jacob's Prophecy concerning his Sons

The last action of Jacob before his depar- ture was that of gathering his sons about him, and foretelling their future. It is full of in- terest as it reveals a connection between action and issue. Jacob's forecast of the future was largely on the ground of what he had already seen in these men. In some cases the allusions are difficult to follow, and consequently the connection is not easy to discover. In other cases both are unmistakable.

In speaking of Keuben he declared that pre- eminence of privilege does not necessarily issue in pre-eminence of position. Passion un- curbed by principle, runs riot in the life ; and the destined throne is never reached, nor the sceptre grasped.

Of Simeon and Levi he declared that cruelty of character ever issues in division and scat- tering. His statement was evidently in memory of their action in the case of the men of Shechem; and the correctness of the fore- cast is demonstrated by all that followed ; and thus the vital importance of the great prin- ciples is made clear. Passion for right can never express itself in actions of cruelty, with- out evil resulting. The most distinguished son of the house of Levi in subsequent history was

270 Genesis

Moses himself, and he was shut out from the land of possession, because out of conviction of right and consecration thereto, he yet mani- fested " a provoked spirit, and spake unad- visedly with his lips."

Looking at Judah, his father saw the shin- ing of the central hope of all Israel; and he described him as of the lion nature, the per- petual type of kingship. In the distance he saw the glory of Another, Whose name Shiloh signifies peace; and it was toward that ulti- mate Prince of Peace that he looked with long- ing desire, rejoicing in Judah, because through him Shiloh would come.

His words concerning Zebulun were brief, indicating the commercial supremacy which would characterize his future.

In Issachar he saw the diplomatist, who, in- spired by indolence and love of rest, would bend to service in order to secure quiet- ness.

In Dan, the cunning and the mean, he saw the line of judgeship, and also the manifesta- tions of treachery.

Suddenly in the midst of these forecasts a great sigh seems to have escaped from the old man, " I have waited for Thy salvation, O Je- hovah." For the presence of these words here it is not easy to account. It may be that after

Regeneration 271

the vision of Shiloh he had looked again at the weakness of his sons; and, therefore, his soul poured itself out in a great cry for the coming of the true Deliverer.

Resuming, he spoke of Gad as one who would be oppressed, and who yet would eventually be victorious.

For Asher he predicted prosperity, and am- ple supply.

In Naphtali he saw a lover of freedom, from whom godly words would flow.

When speaking of Joseph, the son of his love, he employed the most tender and beauti- ful language. First describing him in his fruitfulness, as " a fruitful bough " ; and then revealing the secret of that fruitfulness, he was " a fruitful bough by a fountain " ; he finally described the expression of the fruit- fulness in declaring that " his branches run over the wall.'' It is indeed a perfect picture of a fruitful life. Fruitful in nature, taking hold upon the well-springs of fruitfulness, it exceeded all the bounds of expectation in its realization.

Yet Joseph had been the object of persecu- tion, and had passed through suffering. Through all, his strength had been maintained by the Mighty One of Jacob; and abounding blessings were finally pronounced upon the

272 Genesis

head of the man who was separate from his brethren.

The word concerning Benjamin is perhaps the most perplexing ; brief as it is, and reveal- ing him as characterized by fierceness and victory.

3- The Passing and Burial of Jacob, xlix. 28 — 1. 21

o. His Charge to his Sons as to Burial. 28-32

(3. His Passing. 33

y. The Grief of Joseph. 1. 1-3

8. T/ie Burial. 4-13

The Permission of Pharaoh. 4-6

The Cortege. 7-9

The Lamentation. 10, 11

The Burial. 12, 13

e. The Return to Egypt. 14-21

The Fear of the Brethren. 14-18

The Promise of Joseph. 19-21

Regeneration 275

3. The Passing and Burial of Jacob

Again Israel strictly charged his sons that they were to bury him with his fathers in the cave in the field of Machpelah, with Abraham and Sarah, with Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah. This is in itself significant of his faith in God, and his passion for identification with the purposes of God. Had he followed merely the dictates of human affection, he would cer- tainly have chosen to be buried with Rachel ; but in this last outlook he accounted associ- ation with Abraham and Isaac in the sleep of death of more value. Thus in faith Jacob passed unto his people.

Joseph was filled with grief, and fell upon the face of his father with weeping, and with embraces.

Then follows the account of a strange and wonderful sight, that of the burial of Jacob with Egyptian pomp in the land of promise. Evidently all the externalities were Egyptian, for the Canaanites watching said, " This is grievous mourning to the Egyptians." Yet so completely was it Hebrew that his own sons carried him into the land of promise, and bur- ied him in Machpelah by the side of the dust of the great father and founder of the nation, Abraham.

276 Genesis

Thus at last, after a career checkered from the beginning, Jacob entered into rest. The study of his life reveals little to his own credit, but much to the glory of the grace of God. And yet there was never wanting in his history evidence of the presence of that principle of faith, which is the basis of Divine operation. The story shines from beginning to end with the light of solemn warning, and of tender en- couragement. Well will it be for us if we may avoid his mistakes; and yet amid all our failure and shortcoming it is good to remember that He Who is with us, is not alone the Lord of hosts, but also the God of Jacob.

After the sepulture, Joseph and his breth- ren returned to Egypt; they, filled with fear lest now that their father had departed, he should visit upon them the sin of long ago. How little they knew of the heart of their brother ! Again with splendid magnanimity he triumphed over their fear, and over his own consciousness of the evil they had wrought him, by new affirmation of the fact that God was the supreme Governor. He said to them, " Ye meant evil against me, but God meant it for good."

It is always the prerogative of the man whose life is lived in close relationship to the

Regeneration

throne of God, to be magnanimous towards those who, while attempting to harm him, do nevertheless carry out the Divine intention of blessing.

IV. OF A NATION. l. 22-26

i. Growth and Prosperity. 22, 23

ii. The Prophecy of Faith. 24, 25

iii. Death and Burial of Joseph. 26

Regeneration 279

IV. OF A NATION

This final paragraph is of the nature of a page of prophetic history. We have observed the regenerative movement in the individual, in the family, and in society. In order to the accomplishment of the Divine purpose there must be a nation among the nations of the world, the depository of blessing for the sake of all the nations. Genesis does not give us the picture of that nation, but the movement towards it is seen in this final paragraph.

We have first an account of the growth and prosperity of the people. Joseph dwelt in Egypt long enough after the death of his father to see the children of Ephraim to the third generation.

Then, conscious of the approach of the hour of his own passing, he declared to his brethren that God would surely visit them, and bring them back again into the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and he charged them that when they should return to that land, they were to carry up his bones with them. By that charge he also identified himself with the faith of his fathers, and de- clined ultimate association with Egypt.

At the age of one hundred and ten years he

280 Genesis

passed into rest, and they embalmed him, and put him in a coffin in Egypt.

Thus ends the book of Genesis, and it is evi- dent that it is indeed a book of beginnings, and not of consummations. To leave every- thing at this point is to end what commenced with the majestic declaration, " In the begin- ning God," and the account of the creative movement of God, in "a coffin in Egypt." Genesis demands a way out of Egypt for that coffin, or else the faith of the man whose bones rest therein, was of none effect. The name of the next book is in itself the answer to that demand — Exodus. The going out is to follow, and the coffin to find rest in the land of promise. ^Regeneration is not complete, but its gracious operation moved forward, and all that men of faith by faith have seen, must finally be accomplished.

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