Ten Go, Nine Return Genesis 42

 

Genesis 42 – Ten Go, Nine Return

 

The famine is over all the earth, and all the earth is coming to Egypt to get grain.  The famine forces Jacob to send his ten sons to Egypt to buy food.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  First, they thought Joseph was dead; so, they were not looking for him at all.  They never expected to see him again, but he did expect to see them.  He is almost forty years old, and he is dressed like an Egyptian, speaks and acts like an Egyptian. Joseph has been watching for them. then here comes ten of them.  They all bow down before him.  Here is the literal fulfillment of the dreams of Joseph.  Do you know why he treated them so roughly?  He is testing them.  He tests them all the way through.  He is going to ask them some important questions about his dad, and Benjamin that they left behind.  He is trying to get as much information as he can about his family without letting them know who he is.  He accuses them of being spies.  They confess that they are really twelve and that one is with their father.  The other “is not” is what they think.  They consider Joseph dead, but there he is standing before them! Joseph is attempting to contact his youngest brother.  These men are really half-brothers of his, but Benjamin is his full-brother, and he wants to see him.  Joseph then throws them in jail.  Afterwards, he made the statement, “I fear God.”  That should have been a clue for his brothers. Joseph never misses an opportunity to give a testimony for God.  He always gave God the glory as the One who is directing his life. These brothers are men, some of them being over fifty years old.  They are being dealt with by one who fears God.  They begin to speak among themselves in Hebrew, and Joseph can understand them.  Joseph had been speaking to them through an interpreter.  He did not need to, but he did because he is posing as an Egyptian. They feel that what is happening to them is the vengeance of God, upon them for the way they treated Joseph. Joseph was so moved, so emotionally charged by all that this that he had to weep.  But he goes aside and washes his face; then comes in again as if nothing had happened. He just could not take their money.  So, he not only gave them back their payment for the grain, but he gave them food for their trip home. Nine of the brother’s leave with Simeon still held in jail.  When they found the money and food in their sacks they thought it was a trick.

Jacob’s life was wrapped up in the life of his youngest son, Benjamin.  Joseph was his favorite son because he was the firstborn of his lovely Rachel.  Now joseph is gone, which is a heartbreak to him.  Now he faces the chance that he may lose Benjamin also.  He says that if this takes place he will die.