Return To Egypt (43:1-34)
Neal Pollard
Sometimes, necessity and hardship trump more sentimental concerns. That is what happens surrounding the events of Genesis 43. The reader already knows this famine will persist for seven years, so Jacob was only delaying the inevitable by not sending his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin in tow. The family needs grain to survive. Thus, we arrive at the circumstances of this chapter.
The necessity of their returning (1-2). “The famine was severe in the land” (1). Jacob tells his ten sons to return to buy a little food because they had finished the grain (2). Things appear urgent!
The conditions of their returning (3-10). The sons remind their father of “the man’s” (i.e., Joseph’s) stipulation. Do not come back without the youngest, Benjamin. Jacob is irritated with the sons for disclosing the boy’s existence, but the sons’ reasonable defense is that they could not have known what he would propose (6-7). Judah sets the condition that he would bear blame forever if they failed to bring back Benjamin (8-9).
The consent for their returning (11-15). Jacob begrudgingly agrees, but wishes to placate this official with copious gifts, produce detailed in verse 11. Additionally, they were to take back double the money plus the money that was in their sacks as a sign of their integrity (12). Notice how in the passage of time Jacob has grown more dependent and trusting in God. He expresses faith in God’s might, compassion, and providence, while resigning himself to God’s sovereign will (14).
The effect of their returning (16-34). First, Joseph is satisfied to see the safety and good condition of his only full-blooded brother (16). Second, Joseph summons them to his house (16-17). Third, the sons are afraid. They fear that they will be made slaves, ironic because they had sold Joseph into slavery and because their descendants would be slaves in this very land. Fourth, they are reassured by the house steward that their God was responsible for their money returning with them, as he had all their money. Fifth, Simeon is returned to them. Sixth, they and their animals enjoy the fruits of hospitality and prepare to eat. Seventh, Joseph inquires about their father and asks about Jacob’s youngest son. Notice how the brothers, not once but twice, bow down to him (26,28). Eighth, Joseph excuses himself overcome by emotion, regains his composure and returns to their company. Finally, each is served according to local custom (serving Joseph first, then the brothers, and then themselves “because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians,” 32). Each is also seated in exact birth order, causing wholesale astonishment. Joseph took portions to them from his own table, giving Benjamin five times more than they received (34). The meal is full of feasting and merriment.
Joseph is not quite ready to end the charade. He has one more test for them, which we will see in chapter 44. It is quite clear that not only had Jacob’s faith matured, but their character had also been refined in the intervening years. Reflect upon how God uses trouble (the famine) to accomplish His purposes (bringing the family back together, encouraging the sons of Jacob to repent, and readying Abraham’s descendants for becoming a nation).
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