May 8, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 43 (NIV)
The Second Journey to Egypt
1 Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”……Continue Reading
Genesis 43
Genesis 43
Genesis 43. It is interesting here how God is using Joseph; making his brothers earn trust even when they don’t realize it’s him.
Especially after the terrible thing they did to Joseph. Joseph upon seeing Benjamin is yearning for his brother. He’s filled with so much emotion.
Genesis 43
Judah finally makes a good decision putting his life on the line for Benjamin’s. He was the one who originally suggested selling Joseph and started the Tamar mess! So at least we can feel like God is moving in his heart to do this.
So upon their return their treatment was surprising and their reaction was mistrustful of it and rightfully so after their last encounter with Joseph. Funny to me that they still do not recognize him but Joseph knew exactly who they are from the first second he saw them and even had to walk away a moment at the sight of Benjamin to compose himself. It was like a family reunion for Joseph and yet the brothers just sat there oblivious.
Genesis 43
1 Jacob, because they had run out of food, told his sons that they could take Benjamin so that they could get more grain. He also had them send other things like spices and mark in the money that was sent back to them. And sent more money on top of that . Judah said that he would be responsible and would bear the blame if anything happened to benjamin. When Joseph saw Benjamin, which was the son of his own mother he became very emotional and had to go away to hide his tears when he came back his brother’s noticed that Benjamin’s plate was full five times more than what they had. They were served from Joseph’s table. They drank freely thinking.Everything was just fine.
The famine continued and now Israel and his family have eaten all the corn. They have delayed to go back to Egypt because Israel didn`t want to send Benjamin. But now there is no choice. They will all die for lack of food if action isn`t taken. It doesn`t say how long they were there but it seems like a while. I am not sure what the distance was from the land of Canaan to Egypt. Perhaps a 100 miles or 150 miles. Or how long it would be to travel. Anyone know? I do know that latter Joseph in chapter 45 tells his brothers that there have already been two years of famine and there will be five more years of famine. Gen. 45: 6. Joseph has all the brothers come to his house for a meal and they all are seated by age which is a puzzle to them. For how does the steward or Joseph know their ages. Joseph meanwhile continues to test them and observe them. He also wanted to weep at seeing Benjamin but hid it from them. He wasn`t ready to reveal himself to them just yet.
The story continues and the plot thickens. It is interesting to see Judah take a leadership role here as that is mentioned in the blessing that Jacob will give him later. And Jacob’s misaligned affections for Benjamin over the others wastes time and energy and I am sure resulted in all his other sons thinking less of themselves. But Joseph is still stringing them along, trying to discover what he can about them and their interaction with each other and presumably what they have learned and how they have matured since selling him into slavery
I am moved by the compassion of Joseph, having a great love and forgiveness for his brothers. He “dropped dimes” that he worshipped the same Lord God every now and then, verbally and by his deeds. God gave them the money, immediate release of Simeon, inquired of Israel’s health, hospitality beyond expectations, Benjamin’s mess of food. Joseph was moved by God! “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – reb
Genesis 43