Genesis 43:1-14 – God is our greatest need in life

The famine was severe. From Canaan to Egypt, nowhere was exempted. Soon the grains that the brothers brought back the first time were almost consumed. They only had a little left for the family to survive till the brothers would go to Egypt, buy some more and return. Another trip was necessitated. So Jacob told them to go and get more grains from Egypt. Judah then spoke out saying, “The man (meaning Joseph) solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” 

Notice that Judah had slowly gained more prominence in the family. It was because Reuben had disqualified himself by committing incest with his father’s concubine. Sons number two and three, Simeon and Levi, had also disqualified themselves for committing mass genocide at Shechem. So Judah came forward and reasoned with Jacob. Essentially, he told Jacob that it would be pointless to make another trip without Benjamin. For he was convinced that Joseph would not entertain them if Benjamin was not brought along. Jacob, who had initially resisted the proposal of his youngest son going along with them, reluctantly agreed after Judah gave himself as the surety. He told the father, ^“I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever.” He was willing to take the blame should Benjamin not return from the journey to get grains from Egypt. The food was also getting depleted rapidly. And for longest time Jacob must have stoutly resisted the idea of Benjamin going along. That’s why Judah said to him all the dilly dallying had taken far too long. They could have gone and returned twice over had Jacob agreed to let him go with them earlier.

With the words of Judah, the father finally gave in. So we read in verses 11-13 that “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. Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man.” Life had indeed come full circle. Ironically apart from the money, the gifts Israel proposed were what the caravan of the Ishmaelite bore when they first brought Joseph to Egypt. Now more assured, Israel then offered a prayer. His prayer was not just mere rhetoric. He virtually lifted his eyes to God and specifically asked for mercy. Undergirding the experience that the whole family had encountered so far was the mercy of God. The whole narrative from the start to end was laced with the mercy of God Almighty. Notice how Israel mention God. The two words God Almighty refer to El Shaddai, the One who had revealed Himself and had promised to bless them.

In invoking this name of God, Israel was passing on to his sons the greatest assurance for their journey. God Almighty would be their greatest calming need in the face of the terrifying experience that was before them. It is so true that God is our greatest need in our journey in life. Like what Israel said to his sons as they make their journey a second time, we need to talk about God Almighty not just a rhetoric but a reality. When we do so, like them we can expect God to show mercy in our circumstances and journey in life. God truly is our greatest need in life. When Israel said, “And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved,” he showed that he came to terms with God’s will for his life. Like him, we too must come to terms with the will of God. We can never fight God and what He wants for us. Know that nothing in life can more exciting and exhilarating than living with and for God.