Joseph Entertains His Brothers Genesis 43

 

Genesis 43 – Joseph Entertains His Brothers

 

Due to the seriousness of the famine, the sons of Jacob are forced to return with Benjamin to Egypt where they again have an audience with Joseph and present Benjamin.  Joseph does not make himself known unto them at this time. 

Jacob realized they would starve to death if they did not go down to Egypt again. Judah tells his father very definitely, “If we go down there, we must have Benjamin with us.  You would not send him before, but there is no going if he is not with us this time because the man will not see us.”  The man is Joseph.  Jacob wishes his sons had kept their mouth shut.  They had not intended to tell Joseph everything, but he had kept probing them.  Judah comes forward as surety for Benjamin. 

You and I have surety today.  The Lord Jesus took our place and became our shepherd, took our place, and took our penalty. Jesus stepped in and became our surety and gave his life for us.

Jacob and sons lacked bread, the staff of life.  But they must have had honey, nuts, and spices as Jacob wants to send the man a gift.  So, Jacob releases Benjamin and lets him go along with his older brothers.  We can imagine Joseph’s emotion as his eye singles out Benjamin! The reason Joseph invited them to his home is because he wants to talk with them in private.  He dealt with them so harshly before and now he is inviting them to lunch!  But to these men, such a privilege brings no joy.  They have a guilt complex because they are the ones who sold their brother.  Guilt changes joy into misery.  They are beginning to apologize, explain and plead to the official who is bringing them to Joseph. He merely says, “I had your money”. Joseph is seated, not on a throne but in a prominent place and his brothers bow before him.  Joseph looks at his brother Benjamin. He asks “is this your younger brother?  Joseph says to Benjamin, “God be gracious unto you.” Joseph was deeply moved, and his heart went out to him.  He went into his own private quarters, and he wept. He regained control and returned to his brothers. The first thing is that Joseph did not eat with the Egyptians.  The brothers may have thought this was simply the head man in this particular place.  Joseph arranged all the brothers according to their ages.  They looked at each other and wondered how he knew all that.  The portions for Benjamin were greater than the others because Joseph could not refrain from showing his affection for his own brother.  It was a glorious affair.  And what a wonderful day it will be when Joseph finally reveals himself to his brethren.