Genesis 43:1-34
Q.1. How did the brothers respond when Jacob urged them to go back to Egypt for food? Why did he feel betrayed by his sons? What offer did Judah make to his father, to help him entrust Benjamin to them? – (Gen.43:1-10)
With the famine severe in the land, the food soon began to run out. Jacob then asked his sons to make a return trip (Gen.43:1-2). They responded that the Egyptian leader had demanded to see Benjamin, and that without him, the man would not even see them (Gen.43:3-5). Jacob understood the dilemma and chided his boys for disclosing the information about Benjamin. Not in their wildest dreams did they imagine that Joseph had survived, and that they had bowed before him. They respond – … “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say,Bring your brother down’?” (Gen.43:6-7). Judah, who had been the ringleader against Joseph, had certainly changed. He offered to accept total responsibility for Benjamin (Gen.43:8-10 c.f. Gen.37:26-27). Jacob had delayed the inevitable. However, they now had to return, in order to survive.
Q.2. Had Jacob accepted his sons’ explanation about the returned money? What did he propose as a solution? How did he draw upon his faith in the crisis? – (Gen.43:11-15)
Jacob had been dubious about the claims of their restored purchase funds. He proposed that they carry back double, along with the best of their trades – Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds (Gen.43:11 c.f. 11-13). Such a gift would have reminded Joseph of ‘home’. Most significantly was Jacob’s faith prayer and statement – may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved (Gen.43:14). Like Esther, he placed his trust in the Almighty (Est.4:16).
Q.3. How did the brothers interpret their special treatment? What was the steward’s response to their version of the money? What gave them hope? – (Gen.43:16-25)
Joseph must have been at bursting point to see Benjamin. Then the day came … and he immediately told his house steward to prepare a banquet (Gen.43:16-17). His brothers were filled with fear and imagined the worst – death or slavery (Gen.43:18). They wasted no time in explaining the mystery of the restored money. However, the steward dismissed it – … “Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” (Gen.43:23). Then came a further relief when Simeon was brought out unscathed. They were refreshed, then welcomed to the meal with Joseph. They had their gift in readiness (Gen.43:24-25).
Q.4. How did Joseph handle the reunion with his blood-brother? What was unusual about the seating arrangements for the banquet? How did Joseph serve them? – (Gen.43:26-34)
When Joseph arrived, they brought their special gift from their father and again fell before him in reverence (Gen.43:26). He started well and asked after the welfare of his father, but then – As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” (Gen.43:29). That was all he could say before he then had to make a hasty retreat, to weep with pent up joy (Gen.43:30). Joseph sat by himself, with his brothers at a distance as with his servants, because the lowly Hebrews were loathsome to the sophisticated Egyptians (Gen.43:31-33). You can imagine their surprise when he had them seated from firstborn all the way to Benjamin – … and the men looked at one another in astonishment (Gen.43:33). What fun Joseph had spoiling his brothers … especially his blood-brother Benjamin – He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him (Gen.43:34) [Joseph was seventeen when he was sold into slavery, and then spent thirteen years in prison. He had been governor of Egypt for the seven years of plenty, and the two years of famine. Joseph was Thirty-nine. Benjamin was only a few years younger and was the father of ten sons and possibly as many daughters. (Gen.37:2; 41:46; 45:6; 46:21).