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JOSEPH TELLING HIS DREAM.

ground of partiality. Add to this, remarkable preintimations had been given in dreams, of future distinction and elevation, which Joseph, in the simplicity of his heart, related to his father and his brethren. Jacob, probably suspected that these dreams were prophetic, and solacing himself with anticipations of the future advancement of his son, and perhaps of the family through him, the father might naturally indulge feelings of partiality towards him. It had been wise, however, at least, to have suppressed all outward expressions of such feelings, and especially to have avoided every invidious mark of distinction; but Jacob, in the fulness of his parental delight and pride, arrayed his son in a garment of divers colours, and probably conferred on him other marks of distinction, which rendered him obnoxious to his brethren: their envy and indignation, too, were excited by the prognostications of his future greatness, and their resentment, by his commendable remonstrances against their misconduct; and thus Joseph was hated of his brethren. The weakness of the father, and the malignity of the sons, were, however, overruled to the fulfilment of the purposes of Jehovah. The peculiar trials in which Jacob and Joseph were now about to be involved, will be seen to have opened the way to the going down of the family of Israel into Egypt; their remaining there for a number of years; and being at length brought out by the mighty hand of God, and established in the land of promise.

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It appears, that owing to the abundant increase of their flocks and herds, the vale of Hebron did not afford sufficient pasturage. The sons of Jacob, therefore, removed with the flocks to Shechem, a distance of about sixty miles, where they at first resided after their return from Padan-aram. Joseph was not sent with them; probably he was detained as an assistant and companion to his father; and possibly, also, on account of the family bickerings that had arisen, Jacob might not choose long to trust his darling son in their power. He, however, sent him to inquire after their welfare, doubtless expecting his speedy return: but, ah! how blind is man — how little do we know, when commencing an enterprise, in what it may terminate. Jacob and Joseph met no more for a period of twenty-two years. Joseph followed his brethren to Dothan, about eight miles farther, whither they had removed; the sight of him, as he advanced towards them, rekindled all the base malignant passions in their minds, and they entered into a conspiracy against him to take away his life, and cover the deed of darkness with the pretence that he had fallen a victim to some beast of prey; one only dissented,-Reuben, the eldest of Jacob's sons, who proposed rather to cast him into a pit and leave him there, intending himself secretly to rescue him, and restore him to his father. To this proposal they agreed, and as soon as Joseph came up to them, they stripped him of his envied coat, the badge of his father's weak fondness, and

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