Read the Passage: Genesis 44–45

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 44-45

Benjamin’s Apprehension (44:1–17)

While the brothers had initially been apprehensive about dining with Joseph at his house (cf. Gen. 43:18), the lavish meal that they’d been served, as well as the release of Simeon had surely eased their fears. Indeed, Gen. 43:34 even noted, “They drank and were merry with Joseph.” As the brothers departed Egypt the next morning, they likely considered their trip to have been a success. Joseph, however, had set a plan in motion to cause his full brother Benjamin to remain in Egypt. Perhaps being blinded by his love for Benjamin (cf. Gen. 43:29–30), Joseph’s plan does not seem to have been well-thought-out, as it would surely have caused the death of his father Jacob. Joseph’s scheme was to have his steward hide his silver chalice in Benjamin’s sack of grain, and then demand that Benjamin become his slave once the cup was discovered in Benjamin’s possession.

When Joseph’s steward caught up with the brothers and accused them of stealing the silver chalice, their response was one of denial and self-defense. Indeed, the brothers’ protested their innocence, even noting that they’d brought back the money that had been returned to them. When Joseph’s silver cup was discovered in Benjamin’s sack, in despair “they tore their clothes” (Gen. 44:13). Observe the two-fold mention of divination, in conjunction with the chalice, in this passage (cf. Gen. 44:5, 15). While such cups were used for divination, Joseph knew the location of the cup because he’d had it placed in Benjamin’s sack, not on account of divination. Surprisingly, the brothers ceased to protest and admitted, “God has found out the iniquity of your servants” (Gen. 44:16). It seems, then, that in the brothers’ minds, they were being punished for their past sins against Joseph, not for the present stealing of the silver cup.

Judah’s Intercession (44:18–34)

Recall that when it became necessary for Jacob to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt in order to be allowed to buy food, and to secure Simeon’s release, Judah had guaranteed the safety of Benjamin (cf. Gen. 43:8–9). Now that it seemed Benjamin would be required to remain in Egypt as Joseph’s slave, Judah interceded on behalf of Benjamin. Observe that since Jesus would eventually descend from Judah, the theme of intercession by Judah has Messianic overtones in this passage. In Gen. 44:18–29 Judah explained to Joseph that leaving Benjamin in Egypt would result in the death of Jacob, for his life was intertwined with the life of Benjamin. Consequently, Judah volunteered to take the place of Benjamin and to remain in Egypt as a slave. Judah’s selfless offer of substitution must have surprised Joseph, as well as highlighting the folly of his own plan to keep Benjamin.

Joseph’s Revelation (45:1–28)

As was noted earlier, Joseph’s plan to force his full brother Benjamin to remain in Egypt, while still concealing his identity from his brothers, was not well-thought-out. Indeed, it seems that Joseph was being led more by overwhelming emotions than by logical thought. Yet, Judah’s plea in Gen. 44:18–34 seems to have finally broken Joseph, as he “could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!’” (Gen. 45:1). What a shock it must have been for the brothers to witness Joseph’s tears and to hear him exclaim, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” (Gen. 45:3). At first, the brothers did not believe Joseph’s claim. This is understandable, as: they assumed Joseph was dead (cf. Gen. 42:13), Joseph’s appearance was like that of Pharaoh (cf. Gen. 44:18), and acknowledging Joseph’s presence would have required their own admission of guilt.

Joseph wisely understood that his brothers’ dismay was partly the result of their fear over possible retribution. Consequently, Joseph urged his brothers not to be afraid, but to understand the providential hand of God at work through their own sinful actions. Indeed, Joseph said, “God sent me before you to preserve life. . . . God sent me before you. . . . It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen. 45:5, 7–8). Given the great suffering Joseph had endured, his recognition of God’s providential hand showed great spiritual maturity, which included a forgiving heart. In Gen. 45:9–15 Joseph and his brothers were reconciled, and in Gen. 45:16–24 Pharaoh learned of Joseph’s brothers presence, and he invited them to dwell in the land of Egypt. Gen. 45:25–28 narrates the brothers’ return to Canaan with news of Joseph being alive. Jacob didn’t initially believe their story, but in time Jacob believed them and resolved to travel to Egypt.

Application Questions:

1. How would Joseph’s brothers’ sin have affected their lives over the years since they had sold Joseph into slavery?
2. Was Joseph acting rationally as he schemed to make Benjamin his slave? How do our emotions affect our actions?
3. Why did the brothers admit their guilt and volunteer themselves as slaves, even though they had not stolen the silver cup?
4. Upon Joseph’s revelation of himself, how can we explain the brothers’ initial failure to believe him?
5. When Joseph’s brothers returned to Canaan with news of Joseph, do you believe they told Jacob about their sin?