Genesis Chapter 43
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Genesis Chapter 43 (Benjamin Sent to Egypt)
Genesis Chapter 43 (Benjamin Sent to Egypt)
Intro: Were picking back up where we left off last Sunday, Genesis Chapter 43, And as we read last week, the famine that God gave Pharaoh in a divine dream has come true, Joseph is leading Egypt during this time, and his brothers come and have gotten their first “ration”,
Remember this famine covered a huge area if not the earth, Many people were unaware of how long this famine was, Joseph and Pharaoh knew because it was in his dream and interpreted,
Chapter 43 is just continuing on with the story here , Lets get into it.
And the famine was sore in the land.
“was sore in the land” meaning, this famine was SEVERE. Remember back in Chapter 41, Pharaoh’s divine dream was illustrated and given to him by God twice. Joseph interpreting that the importance and severity of it is why it was given more than once.
this famine was SEVERE
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
So, we are back with Jacob and his 10 sons, he has 12 sons total. One son being Joseph, that he believes to be dead who is the commander of Egypt over the famine, and Simeon who Joseph kept bound with him in Egypt from the first time they went to get food.
And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
The brother in reference here is Benjamin. Joseph’s full brother, Benjamin and Joseph were the children of Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel. again Joseph is believed by his father to be dead at this time.
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
They are telling their father Jacob, that the only way they can go back for food is if he sends Benjamin with them. Jacob showed his favoritism for Joseph before he was believed to be dead, if we remember he was given the coat of many colors, which was a rare item, so understandably, Jacob is gonna have some great favoritism over Benjamin. After all he believes Benjamin is his last son from Rachel, and the last time he sent his favorite son out of the land, he was “killed” or sold off to slavery by his brothers.
But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
Reiterating, “if you do not send Benjamin with us, we will not go back to Egypt for food, the man being Joseph in that Egyptian role, said so.
And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
Jacob being Israel,
saying, “why in the world would you tell him you had another brother?” and he is showing expression that he is aggravated with them for this.
Remember Jacob is a very intelligent man. He has common sense, We’ve seen through his upcoming story, him showing plan of action in cases.
Jacob name meaning, “heal grabber” in his earlier story with his brother, he shows “honest deception” ways he can sort of rightfully manipulate certain situations. Not tell the whole truth for situations similar to this one. “why did you tell him yall had another brother”
And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
Remember, these men do not realize that Jacob is who he is. He is playing the role of the Egyptian leader, So Joseph is asking them questions that most strangers would not be asking. “how is your father”, this caught them off guard, Joseph and their father were very close in relationship, they were not expecting him to be asking about their family.
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
Judah is stepping up here and playing the “leadership” role over his brothers
telling his father, “look, send Benjamin with me, if we do not go and collect food, our people, our families, our children will die” We have no other choice.
Also again showing the emphasis on the severity of this famine.
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
Surety- Hebrew meaning to give or be security of
Judah is taking big ownership over his brother Benjamin. Saying, if anything happens to him, I will be the one to blame.
This is a pretty bold statement giving the circumstances.
Judah is showing his understanding of the importance of this trip, if they cannot collect and bring back food, the entire family and people are at risk of starvation.
For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
So this is giving us somewhat of a period of time, “ we had lingered”
showing there has been some time between now and the first time they went and received food from Egypt.
I just want to point out that Simeon is still kept captive there in Egypt. Even after this period of time.
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
So their father Jacob is giving the green light for this plan of action, “take gifts, and double the money, because it must be so” Jacob, who is a man of God, is sort of showing his shortcomings of the flesh, he is so scared to lose his son, that he is forgetting his faith in God’s plan, and that God’s plan will be done.
We are gonna hit on this a little deeper in a second.
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
So saving this instruction for last, showing he is kind of hesitant on it,
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Bereaved in this context meaning in the Hebrew dialect “to suffer abortion”
When reading through this, I almost see this as a negatively optimistic (glass half empty) statement from Jacob.
Jacob is doubtful throughout this conversation with his sons, but yet when he understands this is the only way for his people to be fed, he ends with “ and God Almighty giver you mercy before the man”
He is basically saying, “well whatever happens happens its out of our control”
Which is true but also
There is a difference between having strong faith in God and then completely letting go and just “ well whatever we have to feed our people”
Let’s put ourselves in Jacob’s point of view for a second
Many times we go through hardships, trials and tribulations, affliction,
But as children and followers of God almighty, we not only have to understand that “God’s will be done” but also have Faith in knowing that God lines certain things up in order for His plan, the bigger plan to unfold and come to be.
I am going to somewhat piggy back off of what James hit on last Sunday,
Only basing what we know from Genesis 1:1 to now, we know that eternal salvation or Christ will come from the lineage one of these sons.
We know the covenant between God and Abraham where this is promised
in Genesis 12
has been passed down from Abraham, to Isaac , to Jacob, to at this point in the chapter 1 of the 12 sons of Israel, or Jacob.
So with Jacob’s knowledge and holder of the covenant, he knows this promise from God, he also knows it is to be passed down.
He is not really representing strong faith here by fully trusting in God’s plan to unfold.
Just like in our own lives
Us here in the flesh on earth even us followers and children of God; We are going to experience hardships, we are going to experience struggles, tense and stressful situations.
And for one it gives us a test to our faith
And also what we are seeing here and are going to unfold throughout this chapter, is that God puts certain things into play, He allows things to happen that we might see at the time as hardships, but these hardships are sometimes necessary in order to unfold his greater plan for His children, US. We are God’s children.
and in the case of this chapter, what is the outcome of God’s plan?
For Christ to come from one of these lineage’s in order to provide US with everlasting or eternal life.
So do not be blinded my affliction, trials or tribulation, TRUST and KNOW and have FAITH in God that HIS will (not ours) is for the greater good.
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
So they proceeded with what was needed to be done in order to acquire food for their people.
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
Ruler of the house being the overseer under Jacob,
Jacob saying, “ bring these men to my home, prepare meat to eat, and make fixings ready because they are going to dine with us.”
And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
They were afraid because Joseph seperated and singled them out from rest of the convoy getting grain from Egypt.
They think because they never “paid” for the first purchase that Joseph is going to be wroth against them.
James went over this last chapter, they did not know Joseph covered the payment. This is his project, the Pharaoh put him in charge he has the power and money to do so.
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
So pay attention here, they are speaking with the Egyptian steward of Joseph’s house, not Joseph.
And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
They are explaining and sort of spilling their guts to the steward, remember, they are scared because they are somewhat being singled out by Joseph, they are worried he is out to get them for “not paying” for the first ration of food.
They still are unaware Joseph is who he is. He is playing the role of an Egyptian still.
They do not know that Joseph is actually wanting to gather and fellowship with his brothers.
Going back to what James hit on last Sunday, we are seeing Joseph’s actions here kinda of mirror Christ
I want to take a look at a verse here in the new testament.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
This verse is highlighting the faithful nature of God in establishing a spiritual connection with believers through Christ.
What are we seeing Joseph requesting here?
A gathering and fellowship between all 12 of the sons of Israel or Jacob.
These 12 brothers have not been together all at once in over 20 years.
Once again, Jacob mirroring a Christ like action, and Christ is to come from one of these 12 sons lineages.
So lets see the response from the steward here.
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
“He” being the steward here,
emphasis on the “YOUR”
So the steward states “ I had your money put back in your sacks.” and he proceeds to release Simeon who they had captive out to them.
What are we seeing here?
Joseph who is playing the role of the head Egyptian during the famine, is a Hebrew
The steward was most likely a born Egyptian. We are going to see in a few verses that Egyptians were not prominent to outsiders. We also learned that from Joseph being accused of rape.
But Joseph has not returned yet, the steward was apart of these actions appointed by Joseph.
So here we are seeing God’s plan of action taking place, and God using believers and non believers in lining up the pawns.
The steward doesn’t say “my God” he says “your God”
Representing God’s plan being in action here.
And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
They are receiving hospitality here,
These men thought they were being sought after, but the steward explaining from “your God” and showing them great hospitality, is kind of giving them some ease and helping them settle down some.
And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
So check this out, These men were told back in Genesis chapter 37 that through Josephs divine dream that they would bow down to their brother.
They hated it that’s what led them to selling him as a slave in the first place.
This is the 2nd time they bow down to Joseph unknowingly. Joseph had 2 different divine dreams from God where they bow down to him.
Again, God’s plan from chapter 37 unfolding and taking place. Even through all the hardship that led to this point.
And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
Obeisance meaning “Honoring royalty”
Joseph again asking them about them and their family, and them bowing down and showing him respect.
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
Joseph is now finally laying eyes on Benjamin his only full blooded brother.
and states “God be gracious unto thee, my son”
At this point in time, Joseph has not said anything like this to the brothers in his role of leader of Egypt.
This is going to be somewhat of a turning point in the story of the brothers outlook.
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
Joseph is being overwhelmed with emotions right now, he finally sees his full brother, him and his other 11 brothers are together fellow shipping, this is a lot to take in giving the circumstances on what all has taken place over the last 20 plus years.
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
He stepped away to whelp, and he washed up not leaving signs to the brothers that he was overcome with emotion.
Remember, they still are unaware of who this Egyptian leader really is
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Joseph is eating by himself because he is of political royalty here,
the other Egyptians of his house eat separated from the 11 brothers, because there was a sense of racial superiority in Egypt.
they segregated because it was believed by the Egyptians to be wrong to intermingle with outsiders with certain things. Dining being one of them.
And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
These brothers all sat together, fellow shipping, and Joseph sent MESSES of food with them,
but he gave Benjamin 5 times more in his sack than the others.
Joseph showing favoritism over Benjamin just like their father Jacob does.
and 5 in biblical numeric representing “Grace of God”
Conclusion:
I want us to really focus here on what is taking place in the last half of this chapter,
Joseph is showering these men with hospitality,
These men STILL are unaware that this is Joseph, they still see him as this Egyptian leader or figurehead.
What is Joseph’s hospitality representing?
God’s love and hospitality for ALL of his creations, even sometimes over ones who do not know or understand where the blessings are coming from.
Just like here, his brothers don’t know they are receiving this hospitality from their brother.
Another way we can apply this to our lives as Christians and followers of God
We live in a fast pace world,
We rarely get to slow down and really see and recognize God’s blessings and what they are.
Whether it’s a thunderstorm, which waters our crops and food,
Whether it’s getting stuck by a train, which could be protecting us from a car crash,
Or even financial struggle, that could be protecting us from long term financial imprisonment.
The point is,
whatever the case may be,
We often get stuck and see the “minor inconveniences” which look major in through our eyes,
and we forget that God has a plan and an outcome for each and everyone of us.
Pay attention to God’s true blessing and always honor and give Him the remembrance he deserves
And we have to understand that God’s plan of action is and always will be for the greater good in our lives WAYYYYY better than our own plans.
Genesis Chapter 43 (Benjamin Sent to Egypt)
Genesis Chapter 43 (Benjamin Sent to Egypt)
