CHAP. XIV. The History and Mystery of Joseph's State of Humiliation and Exaltation.
TO pass by all the other particular Patriarchal Benedictions here, and pitch only, up∣on this of Joseph, concerning whom we have (above all) the most stupendious Stories Recorded (some of which have been already related and treated on) in Genesis, Chap. 37.39. and from thence to the end.
First, His state of Humiliation is held forth in many Chapters from 37. to 42. all compri∣zed in this one Metaphorical Sentence, [The Archers sorely grieved him,] Gen. 49.23. Hebr. Bagnali- (or Baali-) Chitsim, Lords of Arrows, Arch-Archers the word signifies, as is before Noted: Those Archers were many; As,
1. His Barbarous Brethren, who sold him.
2. His Adulterous Mistress, who (Whore-like) Hunted for his precious Life, turning her disappointed Love (or rather Lust) into implacable Hatred.
3. His over-credulous and injurious Master, who, without any just cause, Imprison'd his Innocent Servant.
4. The Tumultuous Egyptians, who, when pined with Hunger (in that hard and long Fa∣mine) perhaps spake of stoning him (for Locking up his Stores from them,) as the distressed people did to David, 1 Sam. 30.6.
5. The Envious Inchanters, who spake evil of him to Pharaoh, that by traducing him they might work him out of Royal Favour, as the Targum Jerusal. addeth.
6. The corrupt Courtiers, who could not but look on him with an evil Eye to see him (an Alien Slave) over-top them, and to be Pharaoh's only and highest Favourite.
All these Arrow-masters (as the Hebrew hath it) set against him, shot at him, as their Butt-mark with their Invenom'd Arrows, which were such as David oft complaineth of, Psal. 11.2. and 57.5. and 64.3. and so doth Jeremy, Chap. 9.3. [But his Bow a∣bode, &c.]
Joseph thus shot at bears a various Resemblance. As,
1. Christ, whom the Scribes and Pharisees (those Arch-Archers) levell'd many a Poison∣ful Arrow against, &c.
2. The Church of Christ, Amos 6.6. which in all Ages hath been shot at by her Impla∣cable Enemies, and yet her Bow abides in strength, &c.
3. Every true Christian, more especially the Ministers of the Gospel of Christ (who are the greatest Eye-sore to the Envy of Hell, as being most prejudicial to the Kingdom of Darkness; both these are mischievously shot at by that Triumvirate or Tripple League of Arch-Archers, Flesh, World and Devil: Many fiery Darts are shot against them, and they therefore need the whole Armour of God, Eph. 6.12, to 19. That their Bow (which is either the Grace or the Providence, or the unchangeable Decree of God) may abide in strength, without warping or starting aside: Gods Goodness in Joseph's Innocence and Patience was more powerful than all the wickedness of all those Arch-Archers his restless Adversaries.