Genesis 46:28-34 And he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to direct his face to Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.… A beautiful combination of official duty and filial piety! The whole land of Egypt is suffering from famine. Joseph is the controller and administrator of the resources of the land. He does not abandon his position and go away to Canaan; but he gets the chariot out and he must go part of the road. "I know I am father to Pharaoh and all his great people. I shall not be away long; I shall soon be back again to my duties. I must go a little way to meet the old man from home." Yes, I don't care what our duties are, we can add a little pathos to them if we like; whatever we be in life, we can add a little sentiment to our life. And what is life without sentiment? What are the flowers without an occasional sprinkling of dew? It may be a grand thing to sit on high stool and wait till the old man comes upstairs. But it is an infinitely grander thing, a "lordlier chivalry," to come off the stool and go away to meet him a mile or two on the road. Your home will be a better home — I don't care how poor the cot — if you will have a little sentiment in you, a little tenderness and nice feeling. These are things that sweeten life. I don't want a man to wait until there is an earthquake in order that he may call and say, "How do you do?" I don't want a man to do earthquakes for me. Sometimes I want a chair handed, and a door opened, and a kind pressure of the hand, and a gentle word. And as for the earthquakes, why — wait until they come. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. |
    |