*Genesis 43:1-34
Jacob, unaware his powerful brother Joseph is the Egyptian ruler, sends his sons back to Egypt for more grain, this time including Benjamin.
- Jacob’s Concern:
- Jacob urges his sons to return to Egypt to buy more grain, but they express hesitation, citing the governor’s insistence on Benjamin’s presence.
- Jacob voices his fear of losing Benjamin, given the loss of Joseph and now Simeon.
- Judah’s Assurance:
- Judah takes responsibility and pledges to ensure Benjamin’s safety, offering to bear the blame if anything happens.
- Benjamin’s Protection:
- Jacob finally agrees to send Benjamin, instructing his sons to take gifts of the best products of the land, along with double the money to repay what was returned.
- He prays for their safety and the favor of the governor.
- Return to Egypt:
- The brothers journey back to Egypt, presenting themselves before Joseph with Benjamin.
- Joseph sees Benjamin and orders his steward to prepare a meal at his house for the brothers.
- Brothers’ Anxiety:
- The brothers fear the situation when they are brought to Joseph’s house, thinking they are being accused of stealing back the money from their first visit.
- Reassurance from the Steward:
- The steward reassures them that their God has given them treasure in their sacks and produces Simeon, released from prison.
- Meeting Joseph:
- Joseph arrives and sees Benjamin, asking about their father’s well-being and showing deep emotion upon seeing his brother.
- Overwhelmed, Joseph retreats to his chamber to weep.
- Feast with Joseph:
- Joseph returns to dine with his brothers separately from the Egyptians, honoring their custom.
- They are seated in birth order, marveling at the unusual arrangement.
- Benjamin’s Portion:
- Joseph sends portions to each brother, giving Benjamin five times as much, possibly testing their reaction.
- Closure of the Event:
- They eat, drink, and are merry together, setting the stage for the unfolding drama yet to come.
Genesis 43:1-34 teaches us about humility, kindness, and how God can change hearts over time. Joseph’s brothers, who once mistreated him, now approached him with humility, showing that people can grow and change. Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph treated them with kindness, reminding us that forgiveness and grace are powerful. This passage encourages us to let go of past hurts, be willing to see change in others, and show kindness even when it’s hard. It also reminds us that God can use difficult situations to bring healing and restoration in ways we may not expect.
Genesis 43:1-34 (WEB)
43:1 The famine was severe in the land. 2 When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”3 Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food; 5 but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ ”6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?”7 They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”8 Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones. 9 I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever; 10 for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”11 Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; 12 and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. 14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”15 The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”17 The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.” 19 They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. 21 When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand. 22 We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”23 He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them. 24 The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. 25 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 him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to the earth before him. 27 He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”28 They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. 29 He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. 31 He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another. 34 He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.