Genesis 44:30-34 – God’s amazing transformation

Still unaware that the viceroy was indeed Joseph, Judah then narrated what could possibly happen should Benjamin fail to return with them to their father. He remembered what Jacob told them before the departure. So he told him his foreboding fear, saying, “Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad (Benjamin) is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life, when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.” What he said shot right through into the heart of Joseph like an arrow. 

A true transformation had indeed taken place. He and his brothers felt deeply for their father. When they treated Joseph cruelly some twenty years back they did not even consider the feeling of their father. Here they were, in fact, demonstrating true repentance and showed that they had forgiven their father for being so partial toward them. Here before them was the luring temptation to take the bait dangled by Joseph and seized the opportunity to walk away free. Yet with that opportunity they chose not to betray Benjamin as they had with Joseph. What a monumental conversion! Their change was truly astounding.

Judah’s narration to Joseph had come to a climactic moment. He made known the fact that he had stood as a surety so that the father would allow Benjamin to take this trip. He had promised the father that if he did not bring Benjamin back to him, to let him bear the blame before his father forever. So he earnestly pled with Joseph to let him take the place of Benjamin and to let the lad go. He concluded by asking a rhetorical question saying, “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me—for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?” He could not bear the thought of seeing his father suffer again.

Judah had eloquently presented his case. It was a display of true love - love for his father and love for Benjamin.  He showed how responsible he was. The love of God had truly taken a hold of him. His personal transformation was amazing. Remember what he did to Joseph in Genesis 37. He participated in the cruel treatment dished out to that brother. Then in Genesis 38, we are told of his sexual behavior with his daughter-in-law, who had masqueraded herself as a prostitute. Insidiously, God was at work in his life. Here we see him presented as a man with great character. Ultimately his father also noticed it and pronounced a great blessing over him in Genesis 49:10.

There is no barrier to God’s transforming work. Just as he did to Joseph, he now did to Judah and his brothers. Transformation always takes place at one’s conversion. Paul asserted that in Christ, we all have become God’s new creation. He has granted us a new start to life. Old things have passed away, all things have become new. Starting from that point, as we commit our life to God, He changes us progressively. We should no longer pander to the demands of our flesh but to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Our salvation is a journey. The Lord is transforming and changing us from one degree of glory to another. And we must submit ourselves to Him continuously and daily, as well as wholly and willingly. 

Genesis 44:18-29 – Making the interests of one’s family a priority

Assuming his leadership role, Judah at great personal peril unassumingly requested for permission to talk to the viceroy.  He began by acknowledging Joseph’s authority and that he has as much power as Pharaoh himself. He then earnestly pleaded for Benjamin to be set free and forwarded two mitigating reasons. Firstly, he recounted how Benjamin came to be with them on this trip to Egypt. Secondly, he forecasted what would happen to Jacob should Benjamin fail to return with them. He spoke with great emotion, persuasively giving precise details of what had happened so far. If not for the viceroy’s insistence, Benjamin would not have come with them for this trip.  Judah had cleverly implicated Joseph, the viceroy, but in a very courteous way. He was subtly pleading for some fairness.

Having put the viceroy into the equation, he then went on to narrate his father’s fear of losing Benjamin. He recounted how they managed to convince their father to let Benjamin accompany them on this trip. He said that when their father asked them to return to Egypt to buy some more grains they told him that, “We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.” And he went on to show how their father reluctantly consented. Judah gave the reason why his father was reluctant to have Benjamin on this trip. He narrated Jacob’s exact reason: ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; and the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces,” and I have not seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” 

Judah had painted the scene so clearly that though Joseph was not with them in Canaan, he could imagine what took place from the vital information he had given. He could see the father’s wounded heart when he failed to return some twenty years earlier. From what he heard, he also could sense his brother’s quickened conscience. Judah of course was not cognizant of how touching his revelation was to Joseph. His revelation had shown how they had come to terms with Jacob’s preference of Joseph and Benjamin over them. Though they knew he favored Joseph and Benjamin they did not mind it at all now. Joseph also got to see how much his brothers had grown to love Benjamin and had sought to protect him in this journey. Joseph’s brothers had indeed undergone deep transformation and Joseph could see it.

In a similar situation, how many of us would go for self-preservation? How many of us would have re-actively made a case of our innocence? Judah’s brave actions showed how willing he was to sacrifice for the safety of his family. He had shown us that to reason is better than to be defensive. He left us with an example on how to handle guilt when we know we are innocent. Like Judah, when we are wronged, we should stay non re-active and calmly speak the truth without being self-centered. 

Genesis 44:14-17 - The importance of keeping our words

Shocked, horrified and in total disbelief, the brothers made their way back to Joseph’s house. It was still early in the morning and Joseph had not left the house yet. Judah had taken on the lead and the first thing the brothers did was to fall on their faces before Joseph. Truly the two dreams of Joseph had dynamically come to pass. And the brothers were not aware of it. 

Meanwhile Joseph maintained his austere posture and sternly asked them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice divination?” Obviously Joseph did not practice divination. Just as the whole event was staged, his words were also well rehearsed. His brothers had no doubt that Joseph had all the power of Egypt at his disposal. Unaware of how the silver cup of Joseph got into Benjamin’s sack, they were in despair as Judah said to Joseph, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves?” It dawned on Judah that God was behind all these. So he continued in dejection, admitting that “God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” 

In his admission, Judah knew it was God who had found out their guilt. Though they did not steal the cup, they were guilty. Judah could see that the whole target was Benjamin, the dearly loved son of the father, who was placed in his care. The consequence of the sin for their cruel treatment of Joseph had come to haunt them. He must have felt that they were paying for it now. Since the cruel deed was a collaborated effort of the brothers, they now committed to suffer together. So he said to Joseph, “…behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” 

Joseph could see their agony, yet he maintained his composure. There was still one thing he needed to find out. How would they treat Benjamin? Would they leave him to take the whole blame by himself? So Joseph added one last excruciating moment to their agony. Needing to find how they would respond, he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.” Everything rested on what they would do to Benjamin. Joseph had successfully recreated the scene of the bygone years when he was his father’s favorite. Benjamin was where Joseph was, and was presently the father’s favorite. And Joseph wanted to see what his brothers would do in a similar situation. This time the price was more than just 20 pieces of silver. It was their liberty in question. It was the perfect scenario to betray the father’s favorite and walk away scorch free. Would they? We know the answer. 

What’s the lesson for us? It’s about the importance of keeping one’s word. Judah assured his father that he would do all he could to ensure Benjamin’s safety. He obviously did in mitigating for Benjamin. He was prepared to take the place should Joseph insisted on his way. Judah kept his word and shown his integrity. He could have fallen to the temptation to leave Benjamin to shoulder the blame and walk free. But Judah chose to keep his word to his father. He tried his best and so must we.  Remember our words are our bonds. Let’s always say what we mean and mean what we say.  

Genesis 44:1-13 – In God’s perfect hand

God was working both in the lives of Joseph as well as his brothers, but in very different ways. For Joseph, God saw him through all the hard times, to keep him level headed. The years of difficult times get him ready to handle the position he would take in his later years. Like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, what Joseph went through kept him humble. Through those difficult times God honed his administrative skills, and he became so wise in his dealings, especially with his brothers. By the help of God, Joseph was able to arouse their guilt, awaken their conscience and help them to take steps to repent from the wicked past. After a hard and difficult negotiation, the brothers managed to convince daddy Israel to allow them to bring Benjamin with them, for their second trip to Egypt to buy grains.

At Egypt the brothers met with Joseph’s steward. Speaking through his steward, Joseph invited them to his home for lunch at noon. There they realized that their initial fears and trepidation were totally unfounded. As their father had prayed, El Shaddai, the God Almighty, was indeed merciful to them and Joseph dealt with them kindly. They all had their fill but Benjamin had five times more food from Joseph. He loved and favored him more than the other brothers because they shared the same mother. When they had finished their meal and about to take their leave, Joseph had his steward set them up. It was in fact a test to see how much they had transformed since the time they sold Joseph to Egypt. Verses 1-2 said, “Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph had told him.” The silver cup was probably his recollection of how his brothers had sold him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver.   

When morning came, the brothers set out for Canaan with their donkeys all saddled up. Happy that they had everyone on their journey back, including Simeon and Benjamin. But hardly had they gone too far from the city that Joseph sent his steward after them to deliver to them pin-pointed accusation. Calmly, the steward delivered the order saying, “Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.” The brothers quickly responded, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house?” They assured the steward by insisting that they were honest people. To prove their innocence, they pointed to the fact that they brought back the money they found in their sacks in their previous trip. And with much confidence, they told the steward, “With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.” 

The steward, who knew of the scheme, calmly played along. He must have smiled to himself inwardly as he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” The brothers did not realize that all Joseph was interested in was his brother Benjamin. He was keen to know how the brothers would react over Benjamin. They all lowered their sacks for the steward to inspect. There was none found in the sacks until they came to Benjamin’s. They were horrified when the steward pulled out the silver cup from his sack. Notice their reaction. “They all tore their clothes.” When they sold Joseph to Egypt and brought back his blood-stained, multi-colored tunic to his father, it was Jacob who tore his clothes then. How the table had turned. Now it was all ten of the brothers who tore their clothes, a first sign of brotherly cohesion. Something wonderful had taken place. The brothers were showing unity. They had indeed changed. The real test awaited. Would they surrender Benjamin to save their own skin? Here we can tell that they refused to abandon their father’s favorite son. They turned back to Egypt, sad and down cast from the very place they left with so much gaiety and laughter.  

Obviously God has a way of bringing the best out of us. He is always dealing with us, His people, to bring us to completeness. With Jacob’s role as a father, God dealt with his flaw of playing favorite to Joseph. He needed to refocus so that he could have a strong faith in God. And that’ was what God did for him. For Joseph, God had to deal with his frustration and then brought him to a point of being forgiving and magnanimous. We also have our frustrating moments with others and God wants to make us forgiving and magnanimous. And for Joseph’s brothers, God had to deal with their bitterness to make them brave to own up to their faults. What is God dealing with us today? He wants only the very best to come forth in our life. God will take every moment to make us complete. Let’s never waste any opportunity He avails to us.     

Genesis 43:26-34 – Mercy rewrote our life

The brothers, including Benjamin, were now in Joseph’s home. When it was noon Joseph entered the room, so they bowed down to him as they presented their gift to him. He first inquired of his father, asking whether he was well. The word used here is “shalom” meaning peace and wholeness. Simply put, the question is “Does your father have peace and wholeness in mind and body?” Their answer was an unequivocal yes and that he was still alive. As they answered him they bowed down to him and paid homage again.

Joseph next turned to Benjamin, whom he shared the same mother. When his eye caught the sight of Benjamin, he asked “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And quickly pronounced a blessing over him saying, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”  This phrase was part of the Aaronic blessing. So Joseph actually used this phrase long before Aaron coined his blessing in Numbers 6:25. Joseph was tender and affectionate as he pronounced grace upon Benjamin. A deep sense of to be by himself and wept. Their father’s prayer for them before the journey was answered. They found mercy in the sight of their own brother Joseph, a fact still unknown to them.

After he had composed himself, dried his tears and washed his face, Joseph then ordered food to be served. They sat separately from him as they ate and verse 32 explained why. It was “…because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians.” So his brothers sat separately from him in the order of the oldest to the youngest. The brothers were greatly astounded and must have thought that Joseph was supernaturally enlightened to know the order of their birth. The feast was great but the reunion was greater. Food and drink flowed aplenty. Portions of food from Joseph’s own table were dished out to them. Benjamin’s portions were five times more than his other brothers. This was also Joseph’s way to ascertain if there remained any envy and jealousy in his brothers. Thankfully they were no longer plagued by those negative habits.  They had a wonderful time and their initial fear was unfounded. 

In this short duration many positive things had already taken place. The brothers were willing to take the blame should any mishap happen to Benjamin. They were honest in dealing with the money found in their sacks. There was a sense of unity, especially when Simeon was released to them. God was honored as His work among them was recognized and acknowledged. They also rejoiced in the provision of plenty as they gratefully partook of the feast with Joseph.

This account from start till now has been soaked and drenched in mercy, the mercy of God Almighty. From the moment Israel offered the prayer till the time they experienced it, the mercy of God overflowed. But more was to come, for they were dealing with a God rich in mercy. Like Israel and his family, we too are the recipients of mercy and grace from a great God. Grace can be defined as receiving what we don’t deserve, and mercy is not receiving what we deserve. We should have been condemned and our soul cast down, but the mercy of God rewrote our life. Truly in Christ we have redemption, forgiveness and all riches of His grace. So joyfully, thankfully and gratefully let us live for Him!

Genesis 43: 15-34 – Divine providence

The sons of Israel, together with Benjamin and the gifts which their father instructed them to bring along, made their journey to Egypt. How long they took to arrive at their destination was not made known in the text. But we are told in verse 15 that they were standing before Joseph. Factually, they were only standing before Joseph’s representative. This we surmise from the fact that they did not have any verbal interchange with Joseph personally. Besides, what was communicated to them was through the steward. These, plus the fact that when they were told of the invitation to Joseph’s home to dine with him at noon, they were petrified and shocked.  

Swirling in their minds was why among the thousands of people all over that came to Egypt to buy grains, should they be singled out by the viceroy? They probably concluded that this was a sign of bad omen and that the man in-charge must have evil intention. They had long lived with the notion that Egyptians didn’t mix with Israelites, especially shepherds. Besides, in their eyes, Joseph was a high ranking Egyptian. To be sure the brothers were trembling with fear and sweating with anxiety. That’s why verse 18 says that, “Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” They quickly reasoned that it must be the money found in their sacks. So they sought to explain that situation before any accusations were hurled at them.

Israel’s prayer for them was truly on target and timely. What better assurance than to be reminded that God Almighty would grant them mercy? From the way they trembled in fear, it was certainly the best prayer offered for them. Their fear also betrayed the fact that they did not pay attention to their father’s prayer. Hence, they were expecting the worst from Joseph. However, the response from the steward must have come as a great surprise to them. The assurance was comforting, “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.” Israel’s prayer was spot on. God indeed was at work at changing hearts and engineering favor upon them. On top of everything, Simeon was released.

It’s great to know that God does provide for His people through others. The steward was expressing the true state of affairs. It was undeniable that God was at work to bring the best outcome for His people. The account closed with the brothers busily cleaning and preparing themselves to meet the number two man of Egypt. God knows best for us and we must learn to rely on Him. El Shaddai will surely care for us providentially.

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.