The Feast
Gen 43:15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
It is best to face the problems, now we will see the outcome. Fear is a terrible thing. It keeps us away from doing the right thing. Fear would delay the help and cause much heartache. It is better to prepare and do the right thing.
Gen 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
Like the prodigal sons return, a steer would be prepared for a welcome meal. But what is behind this welcome? There is a Proverb warning not to eat at a rulers table. Perhaps the brothers had a lump in their throats.
Prov 23:1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
Prov 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Prov 23:3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Gen 43:17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
Gen 43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
Gen 43:19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
Gen 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
Gen 43:21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
Gen 43:22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
The brothers were fearful and they told him the truth. When afraid do not lie, it is easy to know a lie and it makes things worse. Often when we are afraid it is a lie from Satan that causes our fear. The past is used to haunt our future, In Christ Jesus the past is forgiven and erased, yet Satan loves to bring up old memories of past evils and failings.
Gen 43:23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
Peace be to you , fear not, YES. What beautiful words to hear. Jesus when calming the seas cried out peace, be still. When the disciples were afraid of his glory he spoke peace be unto you. Now Joseph speaks peace and also speaks of Gods grace, Simeon is set free. Is this not what Jesus came to do? To bring grace and peace and to set the captives free?
Gen 43:24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
Gen 43:25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Gen 43:26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
The brothers were alone in Josephs home, fearful, and they gave him their gift and bowed before him. Now it is Josephs move, will he show mercy? Will he be angry with them, play more games? To submit to a ruler is a fearful thing, but Joseph spoke of their God, there may be hope.
Gen 43:27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
Gen 43:28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
Gen 43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
Gen 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
Oh what a happy reunion to see his younger brother of his mother Rachel who he had not seen in so many years. The son that Rachel died delivering into the world. It had been so many years. How he yearned to embrace him, the emotiions overcame him so much that he had to leave the room and weep. How we long for the love of distant family but God sometimes keeps them apart for a reason. It is in God's timing for all happy reunions. Often we are set apart to learn discipline and reliance in the Lord. When we are reunited oh what pleasure it brings, but now It was not yet time for Joseph to reveal himself.
LORD give us patience to endure your trials and your timing for restoration. You are LORD. Keep us from fear, always we will walk in your will, forgive us our failings as we become more perfect in you. In Jesus name Amen.
The Silver Cup
Gen 43:31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
Joseph having regained his emotions returns to the dining room and asks for bread to be set before them.
Gen 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
The room must have been large as Joseph set apart from them, the brothers set unto themselves and the Egtptians set unto themselves. Sounds like some of our social gatherings, each has their own group of friends excluding the others. In fact Egyptians were racists. They believed that they were descended from gods. They had no mixing with foreigners, even Joseph a foreigner was not welcomed to eat with real Egyptians. This separation would be important to keeping Isreal separate from other peoples. Egypt would soon become their home for 400 years. In this time there would be no mixing with the Egyptians. God is wise.
Gen 43:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
They were placed in seating order according to ages, how is this possible they were saying to each other, that he new the age rank of all the brothers?
Gen 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Another test; Joseph favors the younger brother, the only full brother from his mother. He remembers the reaction of the brothers to him when he was favored by his father. They were jealous and sold him into slavery. Will they be jealous and do evil to his younger brother? We shall see.
Gen 44:1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
( Oh no, once again he returns the money sacks!)
Gen 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
Would the younger brother be accused by the Lord of Egypt and be abandoned by his half brothers? Joseph sets up another test of the older brothers' character. This was all of God. Have the brothers truly repented of their behaviour, or will they repeat their ways of bad treatment to their younger brother who was favored?
Let It Be
The brothers had left the company of the Lord of Egypt (Joseph) feeling well fed and blessed. They had a good supply of corn and Benjamin had been honoured. Such a beautiful day, surely all is well. Their father will be so happy to see them. Each of us have had times of great contentment, and then suddenly as if by Satans darts, we have been afflicted with a great problem. We are in a battle, expect attacks, yes and even trials to prove our faith.
Gen 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. [donkeys]
Gen 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Gen 44:5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
Joseph once again is setting a trap to see the true character of his brothers. The cup? It was a very special cup, yes even with magic powers. Joseph had proven that he could interpret dreams but that was by Gods revelation. The cup story was to put fear in the brothers. It is doubtful that Joseph resorted to the occultic practices of the Egyptians, like divination (foreseeing the future by omens, such as reading tea leaves and seeing something) . But the brothers didn't know that. Was Josephs' lying inspired by God? I don't think so. We must be careful to not abuse the power God has given us. Up to the time of the testing of the brothers, there was no known sin in Joseph. Now he is putting his brothers through much stress. Joseph is gracious, but first he must see if his brothers have repented. We are not to get even under the grace of Jesus. We are to forgive.
Gen 44:6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
Gen 44:7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Gen 44:8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?
Gen 44:9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
So quickly we seek to justify ourselves. Now the spokesmen for the brothers had sworn an oath, not knowing what lies ahead. King Herod swore an oath to his pretty stepdaughter to give her anything, for a dance. It cost John the Baptist his head. Be very careful in making oaths. You will be held accountable.
Gen 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
The oath was received and modified. Whoever had the cup would be the Kings servant.
Gen 44:11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
Gen 44:12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
With fear each man saw their money in the sacks, and the cup was found in Benjamins sack.
Gen 44:13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
In olden days when in great distress they would tear their clothing. To show repentence they wore sackcloth and covered themselves with ashes, humbling themselves. Anger! How is it expressed today? Kick the cat? Yell at the family? I hope not, perhaps a walk in a wilderness where you can shout out your feelings to the Lord would be good. I do this at the ocean, I can scream feelings into the roaring surf. Better yet is to sing loudpraises to the Lord. All things work out for good to the called of God. Have you received forgiveness in Jesus? He will give you peace.
Gen 44:14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
Lord have mercy! Jesus has mercy on all who call on him in a humble spirit. He will give you a new spirit, first he will forgive your sins, cleanse your heart and then come into your life. Repent of the old life and receive Gods grace. Will Joseph give grace to his brothers? Will they ever realize that the Lord of Egypt is the little brother they so treacherously sold into slavery? Lord forgive us our past sins and help us to forgive those who sinned against us. In Jesus name, Amen
Judah's Intercession
Gen 44:15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
You cannot escape my eyes if you sin. Though he said it, he was not into divining.
Gen 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
Judah as spokesmen for the brothers offers no defense but humbly offers to be a servant with the accused brother. Sometimes we suffer innocently, but we have all had other sins that would be greater if known. Judah was the one who sold Joseph. But this is a new Judah in his sacrificial love.
Gen 44:17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
Gen 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
Judah bravely interceeds for his brother. He has changed, he might have only cared for his own skin. Now he shows godly character. Here begins Judahs earnest plea. H.C. Leupold wrote,"This is one of the manliest, most straightforward speeches ever delivered by any man. For depth of feeling and sincerity of purpose it stands unexcelled." Barnhouse said it was "the most moving address in all the Word of God." As Christians we are not to be afraid to speak the truth in love. The Holy Spirit will help us speak as we should.
Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Gen 44:19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
Gen 44:20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
Gen 44:21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
Gen 44:22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
Gen 44:23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
Gen 44:24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
Gen 44:25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
Gen 44:26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.
Gen 44:27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
Gen 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
Gen 44:29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Gen 44:30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
Gen 44:31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
Gen 44:32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
Gen 44:33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
Gen 44:34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.
Twenty years have passed since Judah sold his other brother to slavery. He now is willing to give his own life for the life of Josephs younger brother Benjamin. Jesus' blood line through Mary would be from the tribe of Judah. Judah already is showing some of the character of Jesus, Gods son born of a virgin, who would follow. Jesus would be the greatest intercessor of all. He gave his life for all of us who have sinned. By his death and resurrection we can believe in him for the forgiveness of sins. After we are born anew of the spirit Jesus continues to interceed for us in defending us against Satans accusations. We are not guilty in Gods eyes for all past present and future sins because of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus. Will Joseph have pity on his repentent brothers?
Gary
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