OT: The Book of Genesis, Chapter 43

Genesis 43:1-34

43:1 Through Pharaoh's dream, Joseph had received caution from God about this seven-year famine. As time passes, it grows in severity and stretches far across the region. 

43:2 Joseph's family, headed by his father Jacob, becomes increasingly affected by the famine and Jacob is forced to reconsider his refusal to let Benjamin and his sons travel back to Egypt. 

43:3-4 Judah reminds his father that they cannot return to Egypt without their youngest brother. 

43:5 Judah explains that it would be fruitless to travel to Egypt for food without meeting Joseph's demands. He fears that they at a minimum, they will leave Egypt with nothing... and at worst, they might not even be able to leave.

43:6 Jacob is frustrated. He asks his sons why they even told this man (later to be revealed as Joseph) that they had a little brother.

43:7 The brothers recount their conversation. Accused as spies, they told the complete truth trying to save their lives and buy the food they greatly needed.

43:8-9 Judah promises to take care of Benjamin; he tells his father that he is trustworthy and can be counted on to ensure his little brother's wellbeing.

43:10 The brothers plead with their father. They need food. They need to free Simeon. They try to convince Jacob by explaining that if they had not lingered and debated, they might have already returned from Egypt. 

43:11-12 Jacob relents. He instructs his sons to take the best that they have to offer in order to please this man making demands in Egypt: balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. He tells them to take double the money: money to purchase food and to pay for the food they got for free the last trip.

43:13 Jacob allows the brothers to bring Benjamin. He still does not know that his sons betrayed Joseph.

43:14 Jacob prays for God to help them accomplish their task: purchase goods, free Simeon and return with Benjamin. It is tremendously difficult for Jacob to allow his sons to leave, it is only through his faith that he gains the strength to do so.

43:15 The brothers listen to their father and travel with packs full of all the gifts Jacob insisted they offer, and their youngest brother Benjamin. Finally, they reached Joseph.

43:16-17 As soon as Joseph sees his brothers, and specifically: Benjamin, he directs a steward to prepare a celebration feast for the group. Joseph's brothers are brought into the house not knowing what for.

43:18 They were anxious and afraid, assuming that they were gathered here for punishment. Although Joseph personally arranged for their money to be returned to them, the brothers are unaware and believe that they might be in trouble for stealing.

43:19-22 Immediately, they begin to explain themselves to Joseph. They profess their innocence and truly they never had any intentions of stealing anything. It was not until far into their journey home that they even realized their money was returned to them.

43:23 Joseph greets them graciously. He does not accuse them of theft. Instead, he wishes them peace and explains to them that God had restored their money to them (through Joseph). Their true payment was in leaving Simeon behind. Joseph brings Simeon out. 

This verse calls us to question our values: money or life. The pain of leaving a loved one behind is so much stronger than the luck of winning money.

43:24 Joseph arranges for his brothers to be treated kindly. They are given water and their feet are washed (a custom in the time and context due to long, dusty and sandy journeys). Their animals are cared for.

43:25 They displayed all of their gifts for Joseph, preparing for his arrival and shared meal with him.

43:26 Joseph's dream as a youth comes true again: his brothers bow down to him. They offer him all of the gifts from their father.

43:27 Joseph asks them what is really on his mind: how is their (his) father? Is he healthy? Alive?

43:28 The brothers report back that Jacob is indeed alive and healthy.

43:29 Joseph looks affectionately at his little brother who he has deeply missed. He immediately prays for Benjamin,  saying: may God be gracious to you.

43:30-31 Overwhelmed with emotion: joy and sadness, Joseph seeks solitude to weep. Afterward he washes his face and returns to the brothers for a meal.

43:32-33 Following local customs, the men divide up in groups to eat. The brothers are still confused by the situation: accused as spies at first and now treated as honored guests.

43:34 Everyone is served but Jacob requests that his littlest brother, Benjamin is served five times as much as his brothers. Benjamin is entirely innocent, he was not a part of the plan to kill or sell his older brother. And Joseph has a special place in his heart for his younger brother because they share a father and mother. Their full siblings but also they are the products of their parents true love, something the other brothers were unable to claim.