Genesis 43

Thanks so much for engaging in Genesis. We have finished studying 80% of this crucial book! Most importantly, we’ve learned about God’s power and his work in our lives. He is writing each of our stories.

Last time we learned that a widespread famine had swept the land, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. When the brothers arrived, they bowed before the governor, not realizing it was Joseph, the brother they had sold into slavery two decades before. He accused them of being spies. (Gen. 42:14-15). This is the first of two critical tests. The next one occurs in Genesis 44. So, why did Joseph consider it necessary to test his brothers? Hold that question, and I will answer it next time.

As part of the first test, Simeon was imprisoned while the other brothers journeyed back home. Joseph instructed them not to return without their youngest brother. Jacob was beside himself when he heard what had happened and what was required for their trip back to Egypt. Jacob adamantly refused to let Benjamin go. With Joseph seemingly dead and Simeon in prison, he feared losing another son.

Genesis 43:1-7
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.’ ” ⁶ 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’?”

Years earlier, it was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph into slavery. Now, he was negotiating with his father to take Benjamin to see Joseph. Judah promised to be a “pledge of [Benjamin’s] safety” (Gen. 43:9). Finally, Jacob relented.

Genesis 43:14
“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.”

The brothers hurried to Egypt. Seeing Benjamin with them, Joseph summoned the brothers to his house. This was dreaded news. They thought the meeting was about the money they had discovered in their grain bags on their return trip. They met the steward at the door of Joseph’s house and told him the story of finding their money. He assured them, “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” (Gen. 43:23). The steward released Simeon to reunite him with his brothers and prepared them for dinner with Joseph. When Joseph arrived, the brothers presented their gifts from Canaan and “bowed down to him to the ground” (Gen. 43:26). This was the second time they bowed to Joseph (see Gen. 42:6). Their humility before Joseph fulfilled the dreams he had shared with them over twenty years earlier (Gen. 37:5-11).

Genesis 43:27-30
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!” ³⁰ 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.

Reread this passage, slowing down to reflect on Joseph’s storm of emotions. Think about his contrasting feelings. Joseph carried a heavy burden for many years. He had felt the envy and hatred from his brothers. They planned to kill him until the Ishmaelite caravan came along. Joseph begged his brothers not to sell him into slavery. He pleaded for mercy. They showed none. The hurt and pain buried for two decades erupted like a volcano. He realized that God had been directing his life the entire time. When he saw Benjamin, the emotions turned to joy, and “his compassion grew warm for his brother.” He hurried from the room to weep alone.

Joseph collected himself and returned to the room to order the food to be served. Egyptians thought it was disgusting to eat with Hebrews, so Joseph, the governor, ate alone in a distinguished setting. The brothers ate together, with their seating arrangement in birth order, from oldest to youngest. When the meal was served, Benjamin was honored with five times the portion of food compared to the others.

Next time, we will see another important test. But let’s stop here. Genesis 43 is an account of jealous brothers coming to terms with their past sins. The shepherds are at the Egyptian governor’s home, seated in birth order and enjoying fine food, with the youngest brother receiving five times the portions. Their thoughts are swirling. The text shares this insight: “The men looked at one another in amazement” (Gen. 43:33).

Sometimes, in our study, we’ve seen God in the sunlight. He is present, visible, and working on behalf of his people. In today’s passage, God is working in the shadows, moving the hearts of men to accomplish his promises.

Today, you may feel that God has forgotten you. He has not. He is there working all the time, even in the shadows.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Genesis 43. As you read this chapter, track Joseph’s emotions, especially as he sees his brother, Benjamin.

Talking to God
Thank God for working in the shadows. I know you can’t see it. But he is always working.

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