Read the Passage: Genesis 42-43

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 42-43

Trip to Egypt (42:1–24)

While the chronology of this chapter is not completely clear, we do know that about nine years have passed since Joseph ascended to his position of leadership in Egypt (cf. Gen. 45:6). This means that it had been over twenty years since Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Meanwhile, in the land of Palestine the famine was quite severe, thus Jacob instructed his sons to travel to Egypt to purchase food. Since Jacob lived on a trade route from Mesopotamia to Egypt, he would have heard about the availability of grain in Egypt. Jacob’s continued favoritism of Rachel’s sons was also evident, as he refused to allow Benjamin to travel with his ten brothers to Egypt, “Lest some calamity befall him” (Gen. 42:4). When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they met Joseph but did not recognize him; yet Joseph knew his brothers and “spoke roughly to them” (Gen. 42:7).

Joseph’s brothers didn’t recognize him, as they had not seen him in over twenty years. Further, they assumed he was dead, and Joseph surely had adopted Egyptian customs, dress, and language. This encounter must have been a spiritual landmark in Joseph’s life, as he remembered the dreams which God had given him concerning his family (cf. Gen. 42:9). Given the shock of seeing his brothers, it is perhaps understandable that Joseph treated them harshly. In this encounter, Joseph accused his brothers of being spies, which seems to have been part of a hastily crafted plan to draw Joseph’s brother Benjamin to Egypt. Initially this plan entailed imprisoning all but one of the brothers; but after three days, Joseph reconsidered, and he only required one brother to remain in prison. Gen. 42:22–24 records the brothers’ regret over betraying Joseph, a discussion which Joseph understood.

Return to Canaan (42:25–38)

Gen. 42:25–38 narrates Joseph’s brothers’ return to the land of Canaan. Observe that this trip was roughly 500 miles and it would have taken about a month to complete. At Gen. 42:25 Joseph commanded that each of his brothers be given grain, provisions, and his own money. Upon discovering the return of their money, one might assume the brothers would feel blessed; yet their guilty consciences had been awakened by their interaction with Joseph. Indeed, when one brother discovered that his money was returned, in fear they asked one another, “What is this that God has done to us?” (Gen. 42:28). Furthermore, upon arriving home, they each discovered that their money had been returned. This unexpected event moved Jacob to declare, “All these things are against me!” (Gen. 42:36). Next, Jacob acted with a lack of wisdom and foresight, as he refused to allow Benjamin to visit to Egypt.

Return to Egypt (43:1–34)

Perhaps the reason why Jacob initially refused to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt was that he hoped the famine would soon end. Yet, Gen. 43:1 reports that, “The famine was severe in the land.” Earlier, Reuben had offered his two sons as surety for his protection of Benjamin (cf. Gen. 42:37), and now Judah offered himself to guarantee that Benjamin would be kept safe (cf. Gen. 43:8–9). Given the prolonged effects of the famine, Jacob finally permitted Benjamin to travel to Egypt. Jacob suggested that a present of honey, spices, and nuts be prepared for the governor of Egypt, along with the return of their original money. When Joseph saw his brothers, he ordered that they be brought to his house for lunch. Although Simeon was released to them, the prospect of dining at Joseph’s home terrified the brothers. Subsequently, they offered to repay the money that had been restored to them.

Despite their fears, the brothers were treated with great kindness by Joseph. Indeed, the brothers were shown hospitality, and even their animals were taken care of (cf. Gen. 43:24–25). When Joseph finally arrived, the brothers gave him the present that had been prepared, and they “bowed down before him to the earth” (Gen. 43:26). This must have reminded Joseph of his earlier dreams (cf. Gen. 37:5–11). Next, Joseph inquired about the health of Jacob and he met Benjamin. Seeing his brother was so overwhelming that Joseph had to excuse himself from the room. When the meal was served, the eleven brothers were seated according to their birth order, which naturally caused them to look “in astonishment at one another” (Gen. 43:33). Furthermore, Benjamin was given five times the amount of food as his brothers, which must have seemed curious to everyone at the table.

Application Questions:

1. What is the doctrine of God’s providence? Is God’s providence limited to good things, or does it also include bad events?
2. How can we explain Joseph’s harsh treatment of his brothers? Why did Joseph choose Simeon to remain in prison?
3. Why did the ten brothers and Jacob view the return of their money as an adverse circumstance?
4. Why were the brothers afraid of eating with Joseph? Was Joseph thinking clearly and acting rationally?
5. Given the events during their two visits to Egypt, why did the brothers not consider the possibility that Joseph was alive?