Genesis 43

CHAPTER 43

The Second Journey to Egypt (43:1–34)

1–7 The famine continued in Canaan, and the grain the brothers had brought back from Egypt was finished; so Jacob (Israel) told his sons to return to Egypt and get more grain.

Judah, who had now become the spokes—man for the brothers, reminded his father that the man in Egypt had demanded that they bring Benjamin to him (verse 3); otherwise they wouldn’t be able to see “the man” again, nor would they see their brother Simeon, who was still imprisoned.

Israel was upset that they had even told the man about Benjamin. But they explained that the man had asked detailed questions about their family and so, naturally, they felt obliged to answer him.

8–14 Judah then spoke on behalf of the brothers, promising to guarantee Benjamin’s safety; he offered to be personally responsible for him (verse 9). Here Judah was demonstrating the leadership that eventually would result in his father giving him the greatest blessing among his brothers (Genesis 48:9–10).

Israel finally agreed to let Benjamin go, and gave instructions concerning gifts to be taken to “the man,” including the silver that had mysteriously been placed in their grain sacks—plus another equal amount of silver for purchasing more grain. Israel was full of apprehension: his faith was weak. He could barely manage to pray for the return of Simeon and Benjamin; he couldn’t have imagined that he was about to get Joseph back as well!

15–18 The brothers were filled with apprehension too. At every unexpected turn they became frightened (verse 18); their consciences were unclean because of their sin against Joseph, and they were in constant fear of God’s judgment. When they were taken to Joseph’s house, they feared they’d be accused of stealing the silver that had appeared in their sacks and that they’d all end up as slaves.

19–23 Outside Joseph’s house they encountered his steward, and immediately they started defending themselves. They compressed the details about finding the silver in their sacks (verse 21), and they told the steward they had no idea how it had gotten there.

The steward then told them how: their God, the God of their father Jacob, was responsible for the silver being in their sacks. It’s clear that the steward had placed the silver there at Joseph’s command, and he had probably been told what words to say. The steward added that he himself had received their original payment, and so no one was accusing them of stealing any silver. Then Simeon was brought out.

24–28 The brothers were treated like royal guests. Their needs were provided for—from the customary water for washing their dusty feet (Genesis 18:4) to fodder for their donkeys. This time Joseph treated them kindly instead of harshly. The brothers, doubtless confused, kept bowing before Joseph—and thus kept on fulfilling Joseph’s dreams! (Genesis 37:5–7,9).

29–31 Then Joseph saw his brother Benjamin and was overcome with emotion. He quickly excused himself so his brothers would not see him weeping; he was not ready to reveal his identity. The testing of his brothers hearts was not yet complete.

32–34 The seating arrangement at the table must have further perplexed the brothers. They had been given seats in the exact order of their ages, from eldest to youngest; how could this ruler of Egypt have known what their ages were? And then Benjamin was given five times the portion of his other brothers, which reflected his special status as Joseph’s full brother.¹²⁷ The brothers were surely wondering: What does all this mean?