Genesis 43:1-5
As the chapter opens, Simeon remains Joseph's hostage in Egypt and the famine went on. When the day came when the grain ran out, we can know it did not sneak up on them. The patriarch Jacob had spoken previously saying that Benjamin would not go to Egypt. It was likely the elephant in the room, the topic no one dare bring up, but the question lingered in every brother's mind, "What would they do when the food ran out?"
Jacob did not want to lose another son. As far as he knew, Joseph was dead, Simeon was as good as dead. The grief of this truth he would have lived with, but the hunger became very real. Starving his family did no one any good. He finally told them to go back to Egypt and buy more food.
Judah had a clear understanding of Joseph's demands. He was the first to speak up to clarify that his father understood that Benjamin had to go with them or there was no sense in going. God was at work. Jacob wanted a little food, but God had prepared to give them access to the land of Egypt. Jacob's attempted control and his inability to trust the Lord in this situation is why he is still being referred to as 'Jacob' instead of 'Israel'.
With every growl of the stomach, Jacob began to let go. He had no choice but to trust. With every hunger pang, he is closer the reconciliation of his family.
Genesis 43:6-7
Notice the name change; Jacob was broken, asking why. If the sons had only kept the family information to themselves. He came to the end of himself and became more of the man God intended him to be, Israel.
Jacob was bitter and blaming the other sons while Israel, the man who wrestled with God, wanted to trust the Lord.
Note: The boy caused him grief. Do you suppose that Jacob ever stopped and thought of the grief that he caused in his life? Did he think of his deception of Esau? Did he consider his deception of his father?
Genesis 43:8-10
Do you hear Judah? This is the man we struggled with earlier as we looked for those qualities expected of the kingly tribe. We saw lack of commitment, immorality and a distracted quality about him instead of courage, assurance and hope a leader brings and builds into others. This mature Judah stepped forward and told his father the way it needed to work. It would become a matter of survival.
The entire clan is in danger. Judah put his life on the line as surety for his brother Benjamin. If this didn't go well, it wouldn't much matter if he survived it. This is the Judah his father needed to see, a man who gave his word, was serious and passionate, offering hope. Where Jacob had been the decision maker, we see Judah stepping forward. Judah puts the exclamation point on his statement when he told his father the whole situation would have been over had they not delayed. They could have gone down twice. This probably means Simeon had been captive for several months.
Genesis 43:11-14
With the decision made, it now has an urgency. Part of the urgency was to get going before Jacob changed his mind. The best product of the land would make a gift and a statement; they weren't just beggars. Offering the best of the land must have been a sacrifice for them. However, it was a good trade for the volume of grain they needed to purchase. Also, there is an irony in this. The gift they would carry to Egypt was the same thing the carried by the Ishmaelite caravan Joseph was sold to (39:9).
They were also to take double the amount of silver. This was returning the original that was found in the grain sacks and enough to purchase grain again. The final instruction was to take Benjamin with them. As they left with their brother in tow, they each had 20 pieces of silver. This was the amount that they received when they sold Joseph as a slave.
Israel asked that God Almighty, El Shaddai, grant them mercy. The repetition of being 'bereaved' is emphasis on the extreme degree he was feeling. Jacob was already mourning over this situation.
Genesis 43:15-18
Joseph was thrilled to see Benjamin and he was going to put on a feast. The brothers don't know what's going on. They weren't really interested in dinner; they just wanted to present their gift, grab their brother, buy some food and to head back home. The steward took them to Joseph's house and they were sure they were being singled out for some reason. They had convinced themselves Joseph knew about the silver and was going to make them all slaves. They assumed the worse. Living in a world of sin, guilt and deceit will do that do us. It will make you paranoid and cynical of people. In this state, they couldn't enjoy a good thing when it was laid out before them.
Genesis 43:19-22
How hard it must have been for them. If they didn't know, they would make their situation worse. If they did know, it may or may not make it better. We should also consider how late they were. They weren't worried enough to return the silver right away. No, they ate the food, and only when they had to come back did they admit to finding the money.
Genesis 43:23
The steward was in on the plan with Joseph. He was instructed to tell their food had been paid for and the silver was God's gift. In essences, they were told to relax and not worry about the money. What a relief this must have been. Then Simeon was returned to them. This must have also been a moment when it seemed like things might be okay.
Note: how mad was Simeon? He didn't know why they took so long to return. He had a lot of time to think. He was living as Joseph lived, wrongfully imprisoned with no real indication of if, or when, it would end.
Genesis 43:24-28
The sons were shown hospitality. Their animals were cared for and they were allowed to wash and enter Joseph's home. They had to view this as a good sign. When Joseph arrived, they bowed to him and presented their gifts.
Would they have bowed if they knew it was Joseph? Or would their pride and hard hearts kick against the plan of God? As they are bowed, as they are face down to the earth, they are just about to the point God can use them.
Genesis 43:29-31
Benjamin was Joseph's only full brother. As he stood before him to talk to him, he was moved. The words for 'deeply moved' are a Hebrew idiom meaning 'his mercies became heated'. It clearly speaks of compassion that overwhelms emotions.
Joseph was moved to tears at seeing all his brothers and hearing that his father was in good health. He left them and had a good cry. Then he washed his face and came out to have a meal with them.
Genesis 43:32-34
Joseph was among the politically elite, so he ate alone. The Egyptian servants wouldn't eat with the sons. Hebrews were considered a lower class than any Egyptian. Egyptians thought they were from the gods and they didn't mix and mingle with foreigners. The eleven brothers were all seated together. The sons were astonished when somehow they had been seated according to birthright.
Note: What they didn't know is that the odds of that happening by chance are 1 in 40 million. (Misler)
When the food was served, Joseph served up one more test of their hearts. When they saw their younger brother get a bigger portion would they respond with hatred and jealously? Would they want to get rid of him and sell him off? This was at the heart of Joseph's demise, their inability to accept Joseph would possess a greater portion than they. Joseph must have been pleased to see their hearts had been changed. They ate and drank as one family.
The 12 tribes of Israel are together. These men represent a future nation. By them God will reveal Himself and his nature. By them the messiah will come.
***
There was purpose in each of their lives. Earlier they were willing to stay home and accept losing one brother and going hungry. But they were moved to return by the hunger in their flesh. They were forced to humble themselves to this man. God was changing their hearts.
Is God working a change your heart? Are you resisting, willing to accept much less? Are you content with mediocrity when God is calling you to bigger things? Are you shaking the last crumbs of grain out of your feed bag? You need to know that He has invited you to a feast with your brothers?
Receive the promise that God has for you. That promise starts with eternal life by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. There is a great feast coming called the marriage supper of the lamb. It's going to be quite a spread; you don't want to miss it.
©2019 Doug Ford
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