---

I. A STRANGE MEETING. Meetings of historical characters and their results an interesting study (Diogenes and Alexander, Columbus and Ferdinand, Luther and Charles V., Milton and Galileo, &c.). None more remarkable than this.

1. Strange circumstances led to it.

2. A strange introduction given to it. Joseph presented five of his brethren to the king. These probably were the five eldest, who were at this time advanced in life.

3. Strange conversation marked it. Pharaoh, apparently overwhelmed by the venerable aspect of Jacob, inquired his age. Jacob, talking to a much younger man, calls his own life short.

4. Strange consequences flowed from it. Nearly 400 years ago this meeting left its mark on history, never to be effaced. Consequences to Israel and Egypt.

5. After the farewell was spoken they appear to have never seen each other again.

II. A STRANGE CONTRAST,

1. A patriarch, and a prince. The one the head of God's chosen people, now numbering a few souls, to become a nation; the other the head of a mighty people, already a great nation.

2. A servant of God, and a worshipper of idols. The one the head of a people who were to become great and powerful; the other the king of a nation that should afterwards be humbled.

3. An Israelitish shepherd, and an Egyptian monarch. The occupation of the one an abomination to the other.

4. A poor man, and a rich man. The one, through his son, the benefactor and the deliverer of the other.

5. A very aged man, and a man in the prime of life. Age of Pharaoh uncertain, but the age of Jacob 130 years.

III. A STRANGE COMMENT, i.e., on life.

1. It is a pilgrimage. Not a settled, permanent, certain ,state. A journey from the cradle to the grave. Among strange people, scenes, trials, and joys. Over hills of prosperity and across plains of content, down valleys of sorrow and poverty.

2. Counted by days. The unit of measurement very short. Know not what a day may bring forth.

3. Few. Yet 130 years. How few are our years! Few as compared with eternity; or even with life of many (Methuselah, &c.). Few, compared with hopes, projects, &c.

4. Evil. Full of sin, sorrow, &c. Little done that is good. Man born to trouble. Uncertain. Full of changes.

5. Yet the longest life only a pilgrimage, and reckoned by days.Learn:

1. The best meeting for us is the meeting of the penitent sinner with the merciful Saviour. Arrangements are made for it, good results will inevitably flow from it. The closet is the audience-chamber.

2. The best contrast for us is between the old state of nature and the new state of grace. May we all realize it, and enjoy its blessings.

3. Then our new life, hopes, &c., will be a comment on the Saviour's power, and on the work of the Holy Spirit (written epistles, &c.). And when this short pilgrimage is over, we shall, in eternity, comment upon the wonderful love of God, and the blessed life in heaven.

(J. C. Gray.)

---

---

KJV: And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

WEB: Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.