Genesis 42:18-38

When we last saw Joseph, he had thrown his brothers into prison on charges of spying. He told them that one of them should go back home to get the youngest brother, while the rest stayed in prison, to guarantee the arrival of Benjamin. He kept them in custody for three days while he figured out how he should proceed.


On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do. (Gen 42:18-20)


Joseph had changed the demand, most likely because he feared God! Instead of keeping nine and sending one home, he does just the opposite. I’m thinking he probably realized that his family was suffering in the famine and would need the majority of brothers to return with the grain – and one hostage was enough. As they were being sent on their way, minus Simeon, they realized that their guilt had caught up with them:


They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”


Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.


He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. (vs. 21-24)

Talk about drama! The brothers had no idea that it was Joseph standing in front of them, and they didn’t know that he understood all that they said. It had been more than 20 years since they had sold him into slavery - years of agonizing with the guilt as they witnessed the pain of their father. And they were on their way to bring Jacob more bad news. As they headed out of Egypt, the brothers went with sacks filled with grain, provisions for their journey, and a surprise in every sack: their silver, which they had given to Joseph in payment for the grain. Uh-oh!  Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” (vs. 25)

Finally back in Caanan, the brothers gave Jacob the bad news that they had to return back to Egypt with Benjamin in order to rescue Simeon:

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”


Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”


But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” (vs. 36-38)

You’ve got to love Reuben! At least he stepped up like a man each time, accepting responsibility, not only for their guilt, but here for the safe return of Benjamin. He was so sure that he would be able to bring Benjamin back, he put his own sons’ heads on the chopping block. And then, you just have to shake your head at Jacob, making the unbelievable claim that Benjamin was the only son left to him! Ouch! No matter what they did, these brothers could never win their father’s heart, for he was so focused on the sons of Rachel, his favorite wife. Apparently his concern for Simeon wasn’t enough to risk losing Benjamin! It boggles the mind to think how differently things could have been for this family had Jacob loved his children equally and unconditionally... Are we learning this lesson?

Jacob put his foot down: they would not go back for Simeon! We’ll see tomorrow what changed his mind.

 

Genesis 42:1-17

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”


Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also. (Gen 42:1-5)

The narrative that begins with this chapter would make a good nighttime soap opera! Think Dallas with 12 brothers instead of just JR and Bobby! The dynamics of this family are clear in the first verse, when Jacob, thoroughly disgusted with his sons, basically said, “You idiots! We are in trouble here! Why are you all just standing around with your hands in your pockets? Get down to Egypt and get us some grain - NOW!” Apparently their relationship with their father never improved after they got rid of the competition!

And, you have to figure that Jacob suspected their involvement in the disappearance of Joseph so many years ago, because he refused to send Benjamin, the baby, with the others, because he was afraid that harm would come to him. He had no problem with sending the other ten into harm’s way! Jacob had learned nothing about the problem of showing favoritism!

So the ten older brothers headed down to Egypt, along with throngs of others who were seeking relief from the famine.

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. (vs.6-7)

Wow! Wouldn’t you love to have been the fly on the wall to witness this? This is one of those Biblical scenes that you hope are on God’s DVD player! It’s not until verse 9 that we’re told Joseph remembered his dreams, but they were finally fulfilled - the brothers were bowed down before Joseph.

While he recognized them immediately, his initial reaction was to act like they were strangers, but we can only imagine what was going on inside his brain! He had made a decision to forget them, but here they were actually in his face. He decided to mess with them! Hmmm... he doesn’t immediately run to hug and kiss and forgive? I love that Joseph was so real! He is not at the place of forgiveness yet, and all of those feelings of hurt, betrayal, and abandonment came bubbling up from within. After charging his brothers with spying, and their protests of innocence Joseph exacts a little revenge:

Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” And he put them all in custody for three days. (vs.14-17)

So now who’s in prison? Imagine the brothers’ terror! This man had complete power over their future - and they knew their entire family was depending on them to keep them from starvation. What would their father think? It would kill him to let Benjamin go! You just know that on a TV soap opera, the episode would end with the closing of the prison doors and a long camera shot of their faces!

Joseph gave them three days to stew in fear, while he most likely had to get himself together and figure out what he should do. I imagine their was a lot of inner turmoil - and yet, because we know that Joseph had great character, and because we know that God was with Him, we can also be assured that Joseph would have been in prayer. I can’t wait for the next episode!