Gen 44:18, Judg 6:39, Est 4:11-16, Job 40:4, Psa 9:12, 10:17, 89:7, Isa 6:5 | TSK | STEP | Oh my Lord."No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned: and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive." let thy. anger. as Pharaoh.

Genesis 44:18

Oh my Lord."No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned: and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive."

let thy.

18:30,32; 2Sa 14:12; Job 33:31; Ac 2:29

anger.

Ex 32:22; Es 1:12; Ps 79:5

as Pharaoh.

41:40,44; Pr 19:12; Da 3:15,19-23; 5:19; Joh 5:22

Judges 6:39

Let not thine.

Ge 18:32

dry.

Ps 107:33-35; Isa 35:6,7; 43:19,20; 50:2; Mt 8:12; 21:43

Ac 13:46; 22:21; 28:28; Ro 11:12-22

Esther 4:11-16

shall come.Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media, for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers.

the inner court.

5:1

one law.

Da 2:9

the king shall.

5:2; 8:4

the golden sceptre.That the kings of Persia carried a golden sceptre, we have the following proof in Xenophon: [Hoti ou tode to chrysoun skeptron to men basileian diasozon estin, all hoi pistoi philoi skeptron basileusin alethestaton kai asphalestaton.] "It is not (said Cyrus to his son Cambyses) the golden sceptre that saves the kingdom; but faithful friends are the truest and best sceptre of the kingdom."

but I.

1:19; 2:14; 1Pe 3:7

Think not.

Pr 24:10-12; Mt 16:24,25; Joh 12:25; Php 2:30; Heb 12:3

then shall.

Ge 22:14; Nu 23:22-24; De 32:26,27,36; 1Sa 12:22; Isa 54:17

Jer 30:11; 33:24-26; 46:28; Am 9:8,9; Mt 16:18; 24:22

enlargement. Heb. respiration.

Ezr 9:9; Job 9:18

but thou.

2:7,15; Jud 14:15-18; 15:6

whether.

Ge 45:4-8; Isa 45:1-5; 49:23; Ac 7:20-25

for such a time.

1Sa 17:29; 2Ki 19:3; Ne 6:11The fact related in this verse was unquestionably the reason why Esther was raised to regal honours, by the overruling providence of God: she was therefore bound in gratitude to do this service for God, else she would not have answered the end of her elevation: and she need not fear the miscarriage of the enterprise, for if God designed her for it, he would surely bear her through and give success. It appeared by the event that Mordecai spoke prophetically, when he modestly conjectured that Esther came to the kingdom that she might be the instrument of the Jews' deliverance. Mordecai thoroughly believed that it was a cause which one way or other would certainly be carried, and which, therefore, she might safely venture upon. Instruments might fail, but God's covenant cannot. There is a wise design in all the providences of God, which is unknown to us till it is accomplished; but it will prove in the issue that all is intended for and centre in the good of those who trust in Him.

present. Heb. found. fast.

2Ch 20:3; Isa 22:12; Joe 1:14,15; 2:12-17; Jon 3:4-9

eat nor drink.

5:1; Mt 12:40; Ac 9:9; 27:33

I also.

Ge 18:19; Jos 24:15; Ac 10:7

if I perish.If I lose my life in the attempt to save my people, I shall lose it cheerfully. I see it is my duty to make the attempt; and, come what will, I am resolved to do it.

Ge 43:14; 1Sa 19:5; 2Sa 10:12; Lu 9:24; Ac 20:24; 21:13; Ro 16:4

Php 2:30