But his bow] That is, the weapon or instrument wherewith he made good his cause against his enemies, which was his innocencie, patience, and other vertues, which were more vigorous against them, then their vices against him. by the hands of the mighty] Joseph was strong, but not of himselfe, but made strong by the Divine power assisting him, and resisting his enemies, so that he mightily prevailed over them all; Which may teach us to take heed that we neither trust to our selves in any undertaking, nor boast of our good hap when things succeed as we wish, but using our best providence to repose our affince upon God, and to give him the praise of all prosperous events; according to that of the Psalmist, I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me; But thou hast saved from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God will we boast all the day long, and praise thy Name for ever, Psal. 44. vers. 6, 7, 8. from thence] That is, from the power and providence of Almighty God. the shepherd, the stone] That is, Joseph was made a shepherd to feed his father Israel in the time of famine, and a stone on which he built his hopes for a comfortable habitation for himselfe and his family in the Land of Egypt; in which words likewise by the Spirit of Prophecie he might looke as farre as to Christ, of whom Joseph was a type, and to whom as a shepherd Joseph was a sheepe, Psalms 80:1. And he is also called a stone, a tryed stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation, Isaiah 28:16.