In the previous chapter, we read how Jacob did not let
Benjamin go to Egypt, because he feared losing him. But his decision did not
last long since the famine continued…
(Genesis 43:1-5) Now the famine
was severe in the land. (2) And when they had eaten the grain that they
had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little
food.” (3) But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying,
‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ (4) If you
will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. (5) But
if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You
shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
Jacob did not even suspect that “the man” they were talking
about was his son, Joseph. But although he did not suspect of his real
identity, Joseph was constantly in his mind. Deep down, he blamed his sons for
Joseph’s “death” (which really was more of a disappearance).
(Gen. 43:6-7) Israel said,
“Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another
brother?” (7) They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about
ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have
another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we
in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
Joseph knew what to ask them, because he knew them. He
wanted to know if his father was still alive, and if his brother Benjamin was
ok, or if they had treated Benjamin just as they had treated him.
In this part of the story, we begin to see signs that the
brothers had repented for what they had done to Joseph – not just Reuben had
repented (42:36-38), but also Judah.
(Gen. 43:8-10) And Judah said
to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we
may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. (9) I will
be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not
bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame
forever. (10) If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”
If Jacob would not let them go they would all die, including
Benjamin, so he had no other choice. He sent them with gifts for the governor,
as well as double the money because of what had been returned to them before.
(Gen. 43:11-14) Then their
father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the
choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a
little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. (12)
Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned
in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. (13) Take also your
brother, and arise, go again to the man. (14) May God Almighty grant
you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin.
And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
Jacob had to let go and trust in God…
JOSEPH RECEIVES HIS
BROTHERS
All of Jacob’s sons left in a caravan to Egypt, to buy food
and to bring Simeon back, who had stayed behind as a prisoner. Simeon had
supposedly stayed as a “guarantee” that they would return, but they didn’t go
back to get him. They had done the same thing they did to Joseph, they
abandoned him. But they needed food, so they returned to Egypt.
(Gen. 43:15) So the men took
this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They
arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
Joseph’s reaction to seeing his brothers makes it obvious
that he was not looking for revenge. He just wanted to make sure that they had
not treated Benjamin as they had treated him. When he made sure that his
brother was alive, he treated them splendidly.
(Gen. 43:16-17) When Joseph saw
Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into
the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with
me at noon.” (17) The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to
Joseph’s house.
Joseph probably invited his brothers over to his house so
that they would not leave. If he gave them the food they came for, they wouldn’t
have a reason to stay any longer, so they would leave soon. But Joseph did not
want to miss the chance of talking with them… and maybe reveal to them who he really
is.
However, the brothers were not easily impressed. They really
thought that the invitation was a set up…
(Gen. 43:18-24) And the men
were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is
because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we
are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants
and seize our donkeys.” (19) So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s
house and spoke with him at the door of the house, (20) and said, “Oh, my
lord, we came down the first time to buy food. (21) And when we came to
the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the
mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with
us, (22) and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not
know who put our money in our sacks.” (23) He replied, “Peace to you, do
not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your
sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to
them. (24) And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and
given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their
donkeys fodder,
From his brothers’ perspective, everything seemed too good
to be true. They were still suspicious, so they prepared the gifts they had to
win Joseph’s favor back.
(Gen. 43:25-26) they prepared
the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat
bread there. (26) When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the
present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground.
In this moment, Joseph’s dream becomes reality again; with
his brothers bowing down before him. Everything was happening just as God had
planned.
Again Joseph asked them about their father… and about their
younger brother.
(Gen. 43:27-29) And he inquired
about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke?
Is he still alive?” (28) They said, “Your servant our father is well; he
is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. (29) And
he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said,
“Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to
you, my son!”
When Joseph saw Benjamin, his heart was stirred.
(Gen. 43:30-34) Then Joseph
hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a
place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. (31) Then he
washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the
food.” (32) They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the
Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat
with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. (33) And
they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest
according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in
amazement. (34) Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but
Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and
were merry with him.
Joseph was giving them clues for them to recognize him:
asking about their other brother, and now placing them on the table in the same
order in which they were born. But they didn’t catch the clues.
In the next chapter we will see how Joseph reveals his
identity to his brothers…
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