Explore the Bible
Sunday, May 11
“Work Toward Reconciliation”
Genesis 44:1-2, 32-34; 45:1-9, 14-15
By Marion D. Duncan
The famine was still severe in the land, and the chosen family had eaten all the grain they bought from Egypt on their
first trip. Jacob told them to go back, but Judah reminded him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your
brother is with you.’” (Genesis 43:3-NIV) Judah responded to his father that either Benjamin would go with them, or none of them would go.
He, then, made a pledge to his father, “I myself will guarantee his safety . . .” (43:9) Jacob was persuaded to let Benjamin go and outlined
a plan. (43:11-14) Jacob may have remembered how he gifted his brother Esau to soothe any angry feelings he might have toward him. (See
Proverbs 21:14)
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his other brothers, he ordered the steward of his house to prepare a fine meal for them. (43:16-17) This
was an undeserved feast—like the gospel, unmerited favor. The brothers were afraid because the silver, payment for the first grain, had been
returned in their sacks along with the grain. They did not understand what was happening. (43:18) They did not know Joseph. They had lived
separate lives until the famine forced them to seek grain in Egypt. They did not think alike nor did they act the same way. He was lord of
the land; they were his servants. They were like an unregenerate man in the presence of holy God. What were they to do?
The brothers talked to Joseph’s steward and tried to explain the reason for their fear and concern. He desperately sought to dispel their
fears, encourage their faith, and assure their future. Even though they had ignored the true God and had lived wicked lives, they realized
the grace of the living God was all around them. (43:19-24)
While waiting for Joseph to arrive for the meal, the brothers prepared the gifts they had for him. With the formality of an unfamiliar
situation, they greeted Joseph with the gifts and bowed to the ground before him. Joseph asked them about their aged father and heard that
he was alive and well. (43:25-28) Joseph’s demeanor with them was gentle and caring just as God is never in a hurry, but allows the Holy
Spirit time to do thoroughly the work of conviction in bringing genuine repentance.
“As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, ‘Is this your youngest brother...? God be gracious to
you, my son.’” (43:29-31) Overcome with deep emotion at the sight of Benjamin, Joseph sought a private place and wept. Joseph wept over his
brothers’ coming to him; Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s not coming to Him.
At the meal, the Egyptians ate separately from the Hebrews, and Joseph sat with his brothers placed before him in their birth order. They
looked at each other in astonishment. (43:32-33) Who was this man? In the custom of honoring a favored guest, Benjamin’s portions were five
times greater than the others. (43:34)
Joseph ordered his brothers’ silver returned again to their sacks with the grain and his silver cup put in Benjamin’s sack, also.
(44:1-2) He did this partly out of love for his father, and partly “because his brothers had once conspired in hate against (him); now he
conspired in love against them.” (Exploring Genesis)
Joseph sent his steward to interrupt his brothers’ journey and question them concerning the disappearance his silver cup. “Why have you
repaid good with evil?” (44:1-5) Certain of their innocence, they protested. Their honesty in returning the silver was their defense. They
vowed if one of them had the cup, he would die, and the others would become Joseph’s slaves. The steward looked into each of their sacks,
and in the last sack—Benjamin’s sack—found the silver cup. The brothers passed Joseph’s final test when they loaded their donkeys and
returned to Joseph’s house to face the consequences with Benjamin. (44:13)
Judah was the spokesman for the family expecting to bear Joseph’s wrath. “What can we say to my lord? …God has uncovered your servants’
guilt.” (44:16) Judah’s humility and confession were received by the gracious forgiveness of Joseph, paid for by his suffering at their
hands—a picture of Christ.
In the presence of his brothers alone, he said, “I am Joseph…Come close to me.” (45:3-4) He realized God meant all these things for
good—a covenant promise, first given to Abraham, the father of God’s chosen people.
Duncan is wMu director at First Church, Starkville.