Lesson 88 Genesis 42:37, 38 and chapter 43-The Bold Offer from Reuben

Over the Top? 43:37, 38

English Standard Version (Chapter 42)

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol (the grave).”

What causes a man to make an outlandish and maybe unnecessary vow as has been made here by Reuben? I would go so far as to say it is a very foolish thing to say to “take my sons and kill them if I don’t bring Benjamin back home.Of course, wee we are jumping to conclusions, we can expect to leap into the wrong picture. Actually, the situation was not as bad as Jacob had imagined. In fact, the family would be reunited in no time, once they complied with Joseph’s request. Isn’t that they way it happens more than not? Don’t we think the worst when God’s deliverance is right in the next room. Glory to God, it is time to believe in our miracle working Savior! But, here we go, Jacob is not going to comply because he doesn’t trust his own sons. And, who made them that way? From what we have seen , they are following in the family footsteps of lying and deceit. Then don’t discount Jacob to add drama to the scene. “Oh woe is me, I think I’m going to die.” It’s a bit much but some people like to put this pressure on their kids. Family trust must be earned and taught a whole lot better than what we have seen. It just may be that they are coming to the end of themselves. There are some important spiritual/emotional lessons to be learned from this experience.

The return to Egypt 43:1- 10

English Standard Version (Chapter 43)

43 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’?”

8 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”

Jacob’s family had to go back in order to survive. The text tells us they could have gone twice, but did not. They must have been getting hungry. Judah, though he had failed in his lust and bought a supposed harlot, is now taking his place in leadership. Reuben has eliminated his leadership role by sleeping with one of his fathers wives and Simeon and Levi have blood on their hands through the vengeance they heaped on their sister’s rapist. Their disqualifications have prompted Judah to step forward in leadership. It is now that Judah stands tall. He takes his place so that others can stand behind and beside him. Most excellent. Brothers working as brothers. How can anyone stand except he has the proper armor? No greater armor than a band of brothers! No greater armor than the armor God gives, even if we have to stand alone. That ability to stand in strength allows you to open your mouth with distinction and not fleshly anger, “ as you aught to speak”

King James Version (Chapter 6)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

God’s men today like Pastor Jim and formerly Pastor Dick, are able to stand through the years because men of God have surrounded them with armor for the fight. Most of all, that brother to brother armor is that which give them the ability to lead and to make a plan, just like Judah. Sometimes men have to step to the side as did Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, but another rises to the occasion. The 12 brothers are no less diminished by their peculiar place in life (ex. separated), but rather they function as one voice, even in the silence of those standing to the side. They have finally learned how to carry the load as one family. Joseph has helped them to see their need of each other, even in their long lost brother, who is now standing before them.

The Plan

1.

Judah says he will go “if” dad sends Benjamin along. He has to relinquish the son to go.

2.

”if you do not send him with us, we will not go!” It’s an ultimatum to dad. No wishy- washy stuff.

3.

Send the boy with me! He is emphatic and offers hope to his dad through his confidence. It is so that we may live and not die. That is usually the route of famine- no food no life.

4.

Judah offers to be the personal guarantee of Benjamin’s safety, further, being an encouragement to the dramatic Jacob. “Let me bear the blame forever!

5.

Because of our avoiding this problem we could have gone down to Egypt twice. Procrastination compounds fear. Do it today.

Jacob responds with surrender. Not just surrender to Judah but to the Lord: 43:11- 14

English Standard Version (Chapter 43)

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 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.”

Jacob is saying if we are going to do this, we are going all out. Take Double, and rely on the mercy and grace of God. Works doesn’t it?