591. GEN 41:9. FAULTS REMEMBERED
Gen_41:9. Faults Remembered
"Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day."’97Gen_41:9.
All persons who are familiar with the history of Joseph, will remember the consequence of his interpreting the dreams of the chief butler and baker. And how he applied to the chief butler that he would employ his influence on hip. behalf, Gen_40:12, &c. Full of gratitude to the Hebrew youth, no doubt he promised to intercede for him, and most probably intended to fulfil the promise. But with the return of his own prosperity he forgot the prisoner: hence it is written, Gen_41:23. At length, divine providence, which was watching over the interests of Joseph, caused Pharaoh, the Egyptian monarch, to dream, &c. The magicians, &c., could not interpret, &c., Gen_41:8. It was thus that the chief butler was reminded of his youthful fellow-prisoner, and he exclaimed’97"I do remember," &c. We observe,
I. The best men have their faults. By faults, we mean things that are wrong, morally so. There is not a just man on earth,’97that doeth good and sinneth not. There are none really, perfectly righteous’97no, not one. But even very excellent persons have their faults. If you look at it as a matter of history. How we are reminded of this in the lives of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David, Peter. The beloved John, &c.
1. Some have faults of temper. Irritable,’97soon angry or morose, and a tendency to sullenness.
2. Some have faults of spirit. In one, pride is not annihilated. In another, vanity. In a third, pettishness. Jealousy is the plague of some, and envy the torment of others.
3. Others have faults of the tongue. Talkativeness. Jesting. Speaking of others. Censoriousness, and sometimes backbiting. A man who offends not in tongue is a perfect man.
4. In others there are faults of character. Instability,’97frequent relapses into evil. Formality. Worldliness. An uneven, checkered Christian course. The faults which distinguish even the good, include,
(1.) Faults against God in serious reverential love, or obedience.
(2.) Faults against our own souls in negligence of the means,’97living at a distance from God. Neglect of self-cultivation, &c.
(3.) Faults against mankind. In unkindness, want of sympathy, mercy, goodness &c.
II. We are apt to be ignorant of our faults We know a great deal about others. We see the faults of this or that person; but, alas! our own are often buried in selfish ignorance.
(1.) This arises from too great an estimation of ourselves. Often warned against this Great peril in this.
(2.) From want of self-examination. Without this we cannot know ourselves. Examine, &c. Prove your own selves.
(3.) From being absorbed in the affairs of this life. We know much of our business affairs. Much of the world, &c., but how really little of ourselves, and especially of our faults.
III. God sometimes brings the faults of men into striking remembrance. Thus in the text. Thus also in the case of Joseph’s brethren, Gen_42:21. Thus also in the case of Belshazzar, Dan_5:1-7. Thus the woman of Samaria, by the conversation of Christ. This is one great design of the ministry of the Word. Hear what is said of it, Heb_4:12. So the preaching of Paul before Felix. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. So it has often been. It is a mercy when this revelation is made in this world. For in the great day, God will bring every work, &c.
IV. When faults are remembered they should be confessed and forsaken. Confession always to God. This he requires. "He that confesseth," &c. "If we confess," &c. And in many cases confession to men. If we have injured, &c., it is our duty and privilege. It is the way of comfort and real dignity. Nothing ignoble in it. Thus the butler. Sincere confession will be accompanied by reformation. The abandonment of the sin, restitution to our fellowmen. This is much neglected, yet an essential of acceptable saving religion. I notice,
V. Faults confessed and forsaken shall assuredly be forgiven. This is the peculiar doctrine of the gospel. The law knew nothing of it. And forgiveness thus comes to us through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not for the sake of the confession and amendment. God pardons sin for his name’s sake. But the blessing of forgiveness is certain to every one who comes to him through his Son.
Application
1. Let the subject lead to serious self-examination. How many faults lie forgotten. Oh, explore! bring them to the light, confess, and seek mercy.
2. Unconfessed faults will meet us at the last day. When the books are opened, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS