42:1 God's plan is not yet finished: He has rescued Joseph from his brothers and from slavery. He has rescued Egypt and all surrounding regions from famine and He now plans to reunite Joseph with his family. Our creation is a manifestation of truth: the truth will reach Joseph's father Jacob who believes his son to be dead.
News reaches Jacob that there is grain (food) in Egypt during this difficult time. Immediately his sons look guiltily at one another: they know that their brother, who they sold, is in Egypt.
42:2 Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain in order to feed and thus save the family.
42:3 Ten of Joseph's brothers leave to buy grain in Egypt.
42:4 Jacob does not allow Joseph's brother Benjamin to travel to Egypt, he fears that something will happen to him just like with Joseph. Remember that Joseph and Benjamin are the only sons born of Jacob's love, Rachel. Rachel has died and Jacob believes Joseph has died too, he does not want to lose Benjamin also.
42:5 The sons follow Jacob/Israel's command and they head toward Egypt (the famine has reached Canaan, where they live).
42:6 Joseph, governor of the land, is the person who sells to all the people. He knows the inventory, how to divide and share it. It is Joseph who greets each person and makes each exchange. Joseph's brothers reached Egypt and he is stunned to realize that they are right there in front of him bowing (just like in his dream as a youth; realize that God knows the full plan of our lives even from birth!).
42:7-8 Joseph recognizes his brothers but they do not yet recognize him: the last time they saw him he was a slave, they never imagined that he would become this great authority in Egypt, more successful even than them. It never occurred to them that their deceptive plan to thwart Joseph could have backfired.
This is why Joseph was chosen by God to carry on the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. His brothers did not have the quality and strength of faith that is required for the position. God will use any of His children to work miracles but the child must be willing and eager to be compassionate. Joseph has a natural and earnest love and trust in God that propel him through all tribulation.
42:9 Joseph knows his brothers well. Even though Jacob had honorable reasons of sending his 10 sons to Egypt, Jacob knew that they really wanted to spy and gossip.
42:10-11 The brothers deny the accusation and claim to be honest men.
42:12 Joseph challenges them again, giving them another opportunity to admit the truth. Instead they lie.
42:13 They claim to be a band of twelve brothers, 10 present and one having died. Joseph knows they are lying of course, he's the one they are pretending is dead.
42:14-17 Joseph does not trust them. He arranges a deal with them: he will have them put in prison until one of them returns with the youngest brother. The test is that Joseph wants to see if they have learned their lesson, would they sell another brother (Benjamin)?
42:18-20 Joseph promises to let them free (and live) if they do as he says.
42:21 The brothers begin to feel guilty about what they did to Joseph. They feel that these circumstances are karma for what they did to their brother.
42:22 Reuben, who tried to save Joseph, reminds them that he tried to stop them and they refused to listen. Now they must pay the price.
42:23 As they have this conversation, they do not realize that Joseph can understand them. They speak a different language than the Egyptians and do not realize that of course, Joseph can speak their natural language. Therefore, Joseph is able to hear the truth from them.
42:24 Joseph wept. He's overwhelmed by the circumstances and he's remembering the pain and mental torture his brothers put him through. Likely he misses home and his family. Even though he's done well, he is not over the trauma caused by their deception.
42:25-28 The brothers start to catch on that something more is going on: Joseph sends them away with sacks full of food but never takes their money. Joseph is not driven by money, he is driven by his love for God. He is compassionate, even though he's heartbroken, it is important to him that his family has the provisions to live. He will not accept payment for their wellbeing.
42:29-34 The brothers recount their experience to their father Jacob. A man (Joseph) has accused them of being spies. They do not know why but we do. Joseph wants to test their character. He creates the situation which will enable him to be reunited with his family and also to encourage his brothers to repent for what they've done.
42:35-36 Joseph is bereaved: he believes that he has lost Joseph and Simeon, and now he thinks that Benjamin will be taken from him too.
42:37 Reuben makes a promise to his father: he will bring Benjamin back no matter the cost. Reuben tells Jacob that he can take the life of his own family if he does not restore Jacob's son. He is earnest and determined to rectify the situation.
42:38 Jacob refuses the deal: he's terrified of losing his child. He knows that if anything happened to Benjamin, he would surely die.
42:29-34 The brothers recount their experience to their father Jacob. A man (Joseph) has accused them of being spies. They do not know why but we do. Joseph wants to test their character. He creates the situation which will enable him to be reunited with his family and also to encourage his brothers to repent for what they've done.
42:35-36 Joseph is bereaved: he believes that he has lost Joseph and Simeon, and now he thinks that Benjamin will be taken from him too.
42:37 Reuben makes a promise to his father: he will bring Benjamin back no matter the cost. Reuben tells Jacob that he can take the life of his own family if he does not restore Jacob's son. He is earnest and determined to rectify the situation.
42:38 Jacob refuses the deal: he's terrified of losing his child. He knows that if anything happened to Benjamin, he would surely die.
