What I Noticed Today (Genesis 43-45)
Genesis 43
Chapter 43 describes Jacob’s decision to send his sons back to Egypt for more grain.
In verses 1-7, the famine in the land of Canaan persisted:
- The famine in the land of Canaan was severe, so Jacob told his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more food.
- Judah reminded Jacob, the man they met told they would not see his face unless they brought the youngest brother. Judah even said if you do not send him (Benjamin), we will not go.
- Judah implored Jacob to send them with Benjamin and promised to keep him safe. He would take responsibility for him, and if he did not bring him back, he would be guilty before his father for the rest of his life.
- Israel (Jacob) told his sons, then pack some of the best products of the land as a gift, and twice as much money. Take your brother Benjamin with you and may God be merciful to you and release Simeon and Benjamin to you.
In verses 15-30, the brothers journeyed to Egypt:
- The men took double the money, the gift, and Benjamin to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
- When Joseph saw Benjamin was with them, he ordered his steward to take them to his home and prepare a noon-time meal.
- When the brothers learned they were being taken to Joseph’s house, they were afraid they were being taken as slaves because of the money from the first trip. They explained to Joseph’s steward how the money from the first trip had appeared in their bags, but they had brought that money along with additional money back.
- The steward comforted them, saying their God must have returned the money to them because he had received their money.
- Then he brought Simeon out to them, washed their feet, and took care of their donkeys.
- When Joseph arrived at noon, they brought out their gift and bowed down to him.
- Joseph asked about their elderly father (Jacob) and learned he was well.
- Joseph looked up and seeing Benjamin, blessed him, then hurried out of the room overcome with emotion.
Note: Benjamin was Joseph’s only full-brother. This was the first time he blessed any of his brothers. As an Egyptian official, Joseph was likely wearing eye makeup, which would have run when he cried and why he rushed out to wash his face.
- When he refreshed himself and returned to them, he ordered the meal served.
- He ate by himself and the brothers by themselves, because Egyptians are abhorrent to Hebrews.
- Joseph had them seated in order of age from youngest to oldest, which astounded the brothers. As they ate, Benjamin’s portion was five times the portion of the others.
- They all drank and got intoxicated with Joseph.
Genesis 44
Chapter 44 details Joseph’s second test of the character of his brothers.
In verses 1-17, as his brothers begin the journey back home to Jacob, Joseph devises another test of their character:
- Joseph commanded his steward to fill each of his brother’s bags with as much food as they could carry, and to put their money at the top of their bag. The steward was also told to put Joseph’s silver cup at the top of Benjamin’s bag.
- The next morning the brothers left to return home. Shortly after they left, Joseph told his steward to pursue them, stop them, and accuse them of stealing the silver cup.
- The brothers said they would do no such thing as to steal from Joseph. Anyone who had stolen must die, and they would become Joseph’s servants.
- The steward said only the one who stole would be his slave, and the rest would be blameless.
- Each man lowered his sack to the ground, and the steward searched the sacks starting with the oldest down to the youngest, Benjamin. The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. The brothers tore their clothes and returned to the city.
- Joseph confronted his brothers once again, saying, didn’t you know I could discover such things by divination?
Note: Joseph did not need to use divination to discover their “theft” since he had ordered his steward to place the cup in Benjamin’s sack. However, this would make the brothers think he had this power.
- Judah (the oldest) speaking for the group admitted they could not justify themselves because the Lord had exposed their iniquity. They would all become Joseph’s slaves.
- Joseph refused the offer, saying only the man who stole the cup would be his slave; the others were free to go.
In verses 18-34, Judah pleads for his younger brother Benjamin:
- Judah appeals to Joseph, referring to him as “my lord,” as he explains the promise to return Benjamin for the sake of his elderly father.
- Judah asked that Joseph holds him accountable: keep him as a slave, but let the boy Benjamin return to his father. Judah said he could not bear to see the grief of his father if he lost this youngest son.
Note: Judah’s speech to Joseph (vv. 18-34) is the longest speech in the Bible of any of Jacob’s sons.
Genesis 45
In chapter 45, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, and they return to bring Jacob to Egypt.
In verses 1-14, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and reconciles with them:
- Joseph was overcome with emotion and sent all his servants out of the room.
- Weeping loudly, he revealed himself to his brothers, but they were terrified of him.
- Joseph told them not to be afraid because they had sold him into slavery. God had sent him ahead of them so he could preserve their lives.
Note: Joseph told his brothers three times it was God who sent him to Egypt to preserve a remnant of the people of Israel.
- The famine had been going on for two years and had five years to go. Therefore, God had sent Joseph there to be ruler over Pharaoh’s household and all of Egypt.
- Joseph told his brothers to return to Canaan and bring Jacob and all the family and animals back to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.
Note: Goshen is in the eastern region of Egypt along the Nile river delta.
- Joseph promised to sustain them during the next five years of famine. Otherwise, he said, they will become destitute.
- Apparently, Joseph’s brothers were still struggling to believe him, so he told them to compare his eyes with the eyes of his younger brother, Benjamin, to see that he was telling the truth about who he was.
- Then Joseph hugged Benjamin and wept. Then he kissed each of his brothers and talked with him.
Note: Joseph kissing his brothers, who had meant to harm him, was an act of acceptance and reconciliation.
In verses 16-28, the brothers set out for Canaan to bring Jacob back to Egypt:
- Pharaoh heard about Joseph’s brothers being in Egypt, and this pleased Pharaoh. He told Joseph to tell his brothers to go back to Canaan and bring their family back to Egypt, where Pharaoh would give them the best land to live in.
- Joseph gave them wagons and provisions for their journey, including changes of clothes. To Benjamin, he gave five changes of clothes and 300 pieces of silver. He also loaded ten donkeys with the best products of Egypt and ten more donkeys carrying provisions.
- As they left, Joseph told them not to argue amongst themselves on the way.
- So the brothers journeyed to Canaan, and when they arrived, they told their father that Joseph was alive and ruler over all of Egypt. At first, Jacob did not believe them, but when they told him, all Joseph had said and had shown him the wagons he believed them.
- Jacob’s spirit was revived, and he (now being referred to as Israel) said he would see Joseph before he died.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- Joseph secretly tested his brother’s hearts twice to see if they had repented of their actions toward him. When he saw they had indeed repented, he revealed himself to them and reconciled with them.
- Joseph realized that while their brothers had meant to harm him, God was preparing him to be able to save his family just as God had promised years before.
- The trials we encounter in life are often used by God to prepare us for the next great work He has for us.
- God is with us, even during the times when we do not feel close to Him. God will be faithful to fulfill His promises when we remain obedient to Him!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
