JACOB AND HIS FAMILY JOURNEYING TO EGYPT.

(GENESIS XLVI. 1—27.)

JACOB, who was the root of the Jewish tribes, and the progenitor of the Messiah, had twelve sons. Among these sons there was one named Joseph, who, being the son of his beloved Rachel, was loved by him more than all his children. This undue partiality excited the envy of his brethren; and this feeling was increased by two dreams which Joseph had, and which he related.

The first of these dreams was, that Joseph and his brethren were binding sheaves in the field, and the sheaves of his brothers made obeisance to his sheaf: the second, that he had seen the sun, and the moon, and the stars doing homage to him. Both Jacob, and his other sons, seem to have considered these dreams as indicative of Joseph's future superiority. Jacob, doubtless, rejoiced in heart at his loved one's future greatness, though he chided him gently for his seeming aspirations. But the feelings of his brethren were different. The fond father's uniform preference for Joseph, combined with these dreams, had the effect of exciting their evil passions, and of causing them to conspire against the life of their brother.

The eldest sons of Jacob fed their flocks near Shechem; and he being desirous of knowing how they fared, sent Joseph thither to inquire after their welfare. No sooner did they see Joseph than they resolved to slay him, and to report to their father that he was killed by an evil beast. They would have committed this atrocious act, had it not been for the interposition of Reuben, who advised them to cast him into a pit near at hand, intending to rescue him privately. This proposal was acceded to; but a company of Ishmeelites coming by soon after, Judah proposed that he should be sold to them; and Joseph was carried by them into Egypt as a slave.

The merciless brothers now consulted together concerning the account they should give of Joseph to their father, and they came to the resolution of telling him, that an evil beast had devoured him. This sad and false report was made; and in confirmation of it they exhibited a parti-coloured coat, which Jacob had recently given to his favourite Joseph, dyed in blood, asking him whether