Genesis 42 - 44
- We are nearing the end of our series on Genesis with the transitional story of Joseph.
- Aside from the up-close view of this man and his response to trails and suffering as well as incredible success and blessings, this story also serves as a bridge linking the movement of Jacob's family from Canaan to Egypt.
- So far we've seen Joseph wrongly accused and imprisoned and then released in order to give dream interpretations to the Pharaoh.
o The Pharaoh's dreams predicted that Egypt would have a cycle of 7 abundant years followed by 7 years of famine.
- As his reward for correctly interpreting the dreams the king makes Joseph 2nd in command and charges him to carry out the plan to establish a system of storage plants to prepare for the famine during the years of plenty.
*In the next few chapters we will read the story of Joseph's confrontation with his brothers as they, during the period of famine, journey to Egypt to purchase the grain stored there by Joseph.
I. 1st trip to Egypt Ch. 42:1-
- The scene reverts back to Canaan with Jacob and the brothers.
- Twenty years goes by since the deception, thirteen in Potiphar's house and 7 years supervising the grain storage.
- Jacob is still alive and leading his family and the eleven brothers remain with their awful secret of 20 years.
vs. 1-4 (READ)
- The famine spreads beyond Egypt to where Jacob and his sons are living in Canaan.
- Others were going down to buy grain but Jacob's sons were reluctant to lead towards Egypt.
o They were afraid of going to where they had sent Joseph. Maybe they'd meet him or meet some kind of similar fate.
- Jacob pushes them to go (not slaves who would not be received by the Egyptians) but he doesn't send Benjamin his youngest.
o Last time he sent one of Rachel's sons, he disappeared, he's not going to take any chances with his only remaining child of the woman he loved first.
vs. 5-9 (READ)
- There were many caravans on food buying missions and apparently each were screened by Joseph to make sure of two things:
o The amount sold would not undermine their own personal supplies.
o That foreign invaders, envious of Egypt's wealth would not infiltrate in order to topple the country and seize the grain. Joseph acted like the chief of Immigration and CIA to screen all those coming and going.
- The brothers don't recognize him (he left at 17, now he's about 37-38 and dressed like an Egyptian ruler.
- He recognizes (may have even anticipated) them as they come before him but he purposefully uses an interpreter and speaks harshly to them to throw them off balance.
o Even accuses them of spying.
- As they bowed to him in submission and respect, he is reminded of his dream as a young man and how God has made this dream a reality.
o It is not a question of vanity now, but an example of God's great power.
vs. 10-17 (READ)
- Joseph continues to pump information from them by his accusations.
o Their defense is that they are all brothers (no king would send 10 brothers to spy, especially his own sons).
- They also mention Benjamin at home (who was Joseph's full natural brother) as well as Joseph himself saying he was dead.
- Joseph now knows that his brothers and father are alive and all the family is intact the way it was when he left it twenty years before.
- He continues to accuse them of spying and puts them in jail demanding that they produce their younger brother in order to prove their story.
o Their time in jail with the possibility of remaining there indefinitely may have seemed like a proper justice for what they had done to Joseph.
vs. 18-23 (READ)
- An interesting episode as the brothers are released from prison and Joseph requires only one of them to remain as hostage.
o They discuss their sin against Joseph thinking that God was now punishing them for it in an appropriate way. (Only time in Genesis where sinners acknowledge the guilt and responsibility of their sins.)
o Joseph can understand their conversations of course but they don't realize because he spoke through an interpreter.
o Reuben defends some of his actions but says that this is God's punishment which they deserve.
- They can go but must leave one behind, if they return they must bring Benjamin with them.
vs. 24-26 (READ)
- Joseph overhears their acknowledgement of sin and resignation to punishment and is overcome with grief, joy, emotion bottled up for 20 years.
o Angry and resentful at their treatment
o Joy at seeing his family
o Relief that through their confession their souls would be spared by God
- He keeps Simeon as hostage.
o Reuben was not responsible for the act as he tried to stop them.
o Simeon as second oldest and with a violent nature (he killed those who raped Dinah) was probably the leader in the affair.
- Keeping Simeon must have had an impact on the others and Simeon himself who knew full well his responsibility in the affair.
vs. 27-38 (READ)
- At the beginning they only thought one bag of money was with their grain but upon returning home they discover that all the money was with the grain opening them up to theft charges when they returned.
- Of course Joseph knew that they would return, not only for Simeon but he knew that the famine would go on and they would have to return or starve.
- Jacob accuses them (unknowingly) of losing two of his sons and declares that if he loses Benjamin too all will be lost.
o He, of course, is thinking also about God's promise and its fulfillment through his sons.
- Reuben shows some character and leadership here by promising to bring back everyone safely on the heads of his children but Jacob refuses and the matter remains this way for awhile.
o Note that neither the boys, Jacob or even Reuben in his oath go to God for help or direction but simply worry and blame each other and themselves for this predicament.
II. The second trip to Egypt Ch. 43:1-
- So Simeon languishes in an Egyptian jail and the family in Canaan is paralyzed by fear of what will happen to them if they return.
- Everything is in a stalemate until God breaks the tie.
vs. 1-5 (READ)
- As Joseph predicted, the famine persevered and their hope of riding out the storm and their supplies doesn't work. They are out of food and must take action.
- We note here the ascendancy of Judah into a leadership role in the family.
o Reuben had good intentions but was weak willed and fearful.
o Simeon was decisive but violent and hardhearted (refused to hear Joseph's appeal for mercy).
o Levi was violent and quick tempered.
o This left the opening for Judah to demonstrate caring courageous leadership (through his line came the savior Jesus).
vs. 6-10 (READ)
- Jacob argues with his sons some more but Judah finally convinces him of the need to return with Benjamin. Note some changes:
o The Bible begins to refer to Jacob as Israel again. Not since the death of Joseph and Jacob's depression and loss of faith had he been referred to by this God given name.
o Now that his faith is reviving and he is forced to trust in God, he is referred to by his divinely appointed name.
o Also note the great parallel between Judah's plan and offer and the ultimate plan and offer of the savior who would come through his genealogy.
o He was offering himself as a ransom for the safety of the others if anything went wrong.
§ Just like Jesus offers Himself for everything that has gone wrong in our lives.
o The point is that if there was trouble one would have to pay and Judah was willing to offer himself as the payment to save his family.
§ Because Jesus is perfect and eternal His sacrifice pays for everybody and it pays forever.
vs. 11-14 (READ)
- Israel's faith is now kindled again:
o He prepares gifts to appease the Egyptian like he did for Esau.
o He doubles the money to pay back what they owed.
§ They sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver.
§ They returned to Egypt with 20 bundles of silver (2 X 10 brothers).
o Israel accepts the fact that the matter is now in God's hands.
- Through this experience God is ministering to everyone in the family concerning trust, repentance, leadership and faith.
vs. 15-23 (DON'T READ)
- A long section describing their (3 week trip) return and reunion with Joseph.
- They still don't know who he is but when Joseph sees Benjamin he is assured that a reconciliation is possible because they weren't lying about his brother.
- The brothers are invited to eat with Joseph and Simeon who has been released.
- They are still suspicious thinking that Joseph just wants to lure them into a trap in order to rob them.
- There is also a section that describes how Joseph's servant tells them that their God had placed the money in their sacks and there was nothing to worry about.
o This shows that Joseph must have converted the slave but the brothers were so fearful and confused that they didn't notice it.
vs. 24-31 (READ)
- Joseph gets more information from them and receives their gifts and respect but loses it when he sees his own younger brother.
- After weeping alone, he begins the meal.
vs. 32-34 (READ)
- Egyptians by custom were racially exclusive.
- There were three tables:
o For the Hebrews
o One for the Egyptian guests
o One for Joseph himself
- The odds of getting the 11 in the right numerical order were 40 million to one and so they were impressed.
- The extra food for Benjamin wasn't 5 times as much total food but 5 times more often was a special food taster from Joseph's table sent as a way of honoring a certain person.
o What had begun this entire affair was these brothers' jealousy and resentment of Joseph their half brother.
o Joseph, by honoring Benjamin, wanted to see if any of that resentment and jealousy remained.
o The Bible says that they enjoyed their meal with happiness so obviously they were not bothered by Joseph's kindness to Benjamin.
*Next week we'll read about their great reunion and reconciliation.
Lessons
1. Sin will find you out eventually
- How could these men think that with God watching they could commit this sin and it would go unnoticed and unpunished?
- We need to avoid sin because it will always come to light; and when we do sin and we know we have, we need to deal with it by asking for forgiveness and doing the right thing before we're either embarrassed by it or judged for it.
*Note how their prosperity and faith diminished as they hid their sins for 20 years and were judged for it.
2. No paid no gain
- Bad is bad. Pain hurts. Death brings grief. But sometimes out of these comes some good.
- We should do all we can to alleviate pain, avoid evil and process our grief but sometimes, not always, but sometimes the negative things are necessary to produce positive things.
*No pain no gain the ads for workout machines say and in the process of spiritual growth there is often a necessary period of pain in order to produce a new direction, a new dimension, a new element of spirituality in our lives.
3. Leaders carry the heavy end
- Judah only gained leadership when he was willing to offer not his children (like Rueben) but himself.
- Leaders in every area of the church or home or business etc. are leaders because they are willing to make the tough decisions, do the dirty jobs, maintain a heavy load of responsibility while remaining faithful and loving.
*The reason we give them honor, prayer, respect, obedience is because they are willing and able to carry a heavier load then we are.
4. Do all you can and leave the rest to God
- Jacob gave a great example of a living, working faith.
- He used all of his available resources to influence the outcome but he recognized and accepted that the final outcome did rest with God.
- We need to find that balance.
o Not simply wait for signs and coincidences to decide everything.
o Not think we can do it all.
*Act in a way where we use our God given talents and resources to do our best and trust that God will bless and use us to accomplish His purpose.