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From the history of Abraham, Stephen proceeds to that of Joseph; and shews, as he did before, that Joseph, as well as Abraham, worshipped God acceptably without wither tabernacle or temple, and without such customs as Moses delivered; and consequently, that the worship of God is not confined to an outward temple, or a mosaical ministration; and that therefore it was not blasphemy in him to say, That God might be so worshipped. This is St. Stephen's argument from the instance of Joseph.
As the particular story of Joseph, observe, 1. The great and sore afflictions which befell that holy and good man; he was envied and hated of his brehtren, they conspired against him, and sought to take away his life; he is thrown into a pit, and afterwards sold for a bond-slave to the Midianites; they sell him into Egypt where he was imprisoned so long, till the iron entered into his soul; that is, so loaded with irons, that his flesh was eaten with them.
Learn thence, That afflictions, many and great afflictions, long and sore afflictions, have been, and may be, the lot and portion of the holiest and best of men, and all these occcasioned by their own brethren: Joseph's brethren moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt.
Observe, 2. The singular support and comfort which Joseph experienced in, and under, his great afflictions; God was with him. God was with Joseph in Potiphar's house, and gave him favour in the eyes of his master, who reposed an entire confidence in him. God was with Joseph in prison, and caused his imprisonment to make way for enlargement. God was with Joseph in Pharoah's court, and gave him a prudent and provident spirit, making him a father unto Pharoah, and to all his people; giving him also a compassionate and merciful spirit to his brethren; pardoning their cruelties and forgiving the injuries done unto him.
Hence we learn, That all the envy, malice, and mischievous designs of men, shall never be able to hinder or disappoint the purpose and pleasure of God: The Patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: But God was with him.
Observe, 3. The religious desire which Jacob and Joseph, and the rest of the holy Patriarchs had to be buried together in the land of Canaan, Jacob died, and our fathers, and were carried over into Sychem, and laid in a sepulchre. Act_7:15-16 No doubt, this was done by way of declaration of their own faith and in order to the confirmation of the faith of others, that their posterity whould enjoy and possess that land; so that this act of theirs was a profession of their faith in the promises which God had made to them of their possessing and enjoying the land of Canaan. There is a natural desire in persons to be buried by their ancestors; but here it was a religious desire, they died in the faith of their ancestors, and laid down their heads together upon the same pillow of dust, in hope of a blessed and glorious resurrection.