Journey Towards Shalom

Introduction

The famine continues to rage on across all the world. The brothers of Joseph have just gone to Egypt and returned with grain but Simeon is still in prison down there and they cannot rescue him or get any more grain without taking Benjamin down there with them. This is all a test by Joseph and it proves to be a great challenge for them.

A central theme that has been coming up throughout the Joseph narrative and is very prevalent in tonight story is the theme of shalom. What this means is peace. Earlier Joseph had been sent to seek his brothers’ shalom, though they had refused to greet him with peace. Later he declared that God would give Pharaoh an answer of shalom through the interpretation of dreams. Now the restoration of shalom within Jacob’s fractured family becomes central to the unfolding story. This shalom is the reconciliation of their relationship, it is the return of peace between them.

Genesis 43 begins the first part of a three-chapter movement toward reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. The length and complexity of this section demonstrate that true restoration requires evidence of transformed hearts. Joseph could easily have punished his brothers immediately, but instead he patiently works toward genuine reconciliation. In doing so, he becomes an instrument through whom God restores the broken shalom of His covenant family.

Descent into Egypt

Genesis 43:1–14 ESV

Now the famine was severe in the land. 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.” But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 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.’ ” Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?” 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’?” 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. 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. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.” 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. 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. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 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 famine has raged on and the food that they got on their first trip to Egypt is running out so now it is time to go buy some more. Judah steps up as leader though and says that they cannot go without Benjamin because of the man in Egypt that we know is Joseph. There is some frustration that gets vented in this and Judah steps up and take responsibility saying that if anything happens to him then it is all his fault and he will bear the blame. He then goes on to say if they had not spent so much time debating they could have already been done with all of this.

Jacob, also called Israel, says that he will allow them to go but they must take all of these gifts and double the money because of the money that was returned to their bags. It is interesting that the things that they are taking as gifts are the same things that the people who bought Joseph from them were carrying with them down to Egypt.

Jacob then prays over these boys saying may God almighty, El Shaddai, grant them mercy. this is something that it will seem as though they forgot about but should be their prayer through everything as well.

This section builds the tension in the story as we know it is headed towards a climax. In it we see that there is a different Judah than we have seen before. We saw the change begin in chapter 38. These statements of leadership reflects not mere self-confidence but growing trust in God’s providential protection from Judah.

The statements from Jacob in this section reflect almost the exact opposite thing from him. Jacob struggles to rest fully in God’s promises, even as he submits outwardly to God’s providence. I think this is often a reflection of us and how we relate to God. We know who he is yet we struggle to trust in him.

This brings us to the arrival in Egypt.

Feast for Brothers

Genesis 43:15–34 ESV

So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He replied, “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.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 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!” 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. Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.

The brothers now go back to Egypt with all that their father has given them and they stand before Joseph yet again. They are scared because they are summoned to go to his house which they know has a dungeon in it. They then go to the steward and tell all about the money that was in their sack and say that they want to give it back. The servant replies shalom and says that it is their money and does not take it. Simeon is then brought back to them and they prepared to meet Joseph at noon when they would eat together.

Joseph then comes and they bring out all the gifts and he ask them lots of questions about how things are going, this is a repetition of the same thing shalom. Joseph then sees Benjamin and is greatly moved by seeing him and leaves to weep. He then comes back and they begin to feast. There is a table with Joseph, a table with the Egyptians, and a table with the brothers. The brothers were astonished when they are seated in order of their birth. Then Benjamin is given more than all the rest yet they are not moved to jealousy. They eat, drink, and are merry with Joseph in this evening.

Though this is not the end of the test it is the beginning and this feast shows that they seem to be on the right track. It is also a beautiful moment where Joseph can have a good time with his brothers, probably for the first time ever. There is more test to come though that are harder that will show the true state of these brothers but for now they are well on their way on the journey of shalom.

Conclusion

In our world we are constantly seeking peace. There is a seeking after peace in this chapter and will be fulfilled through reconciliation between these brothers. We see in the New Testament for us that ultimate peace between us and God is found in salvation. When we put our faith in Christ we receive the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds. We also have the peace of God with us that can cast out all anxiety and fear.

Peace is something we all hunger for and it is found in Christ and him alone.