[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 42

1-3        Jacob and the rest of the family re-enter the picture when the famine compels them to seek grain in Egypt so that they could live and not die. Certainly, the famine was a terrible thing, but as is often the case, this terrible circumstance became the catalyst for something positive as [SPOILER ALERT] it would eventually lead to reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers.

4        Apparently, Benjamin took Joseph’s place as his father’s favorite. No doubt, Jacob’s attachment to Benjamin was increased because Benjamin was the only remaining connection to his beloved Rachel, who died in 35:19.

6        When his brothers came and bowed down before him, Joseph’s first dream (see 37:7) was fulfilled.^[98] It is interesting that Joseph did not remember his dreams about them until vs 9. It is clear, however, that this fulfillment played a crucial role in softening Joseph’s stance toward his brothers (see vs 18).

7        At this juncture, it is difficult to tell whether Joseph is legitimately angry and seeking revenge or merely probing to see if they had any remorse for what they had done to him. Many commentators suggest that this is part of Joseph’s plan, but I wonder.

8        Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him for a variety of reasons. First, he was at least twenty years older (37:2; 41:46, 54). Second, he was shaved (41:14) and dressed as an Egyptian noble (41:42-45) rather than a nomadic herdsman. Third, they expected that, if he had survived this long, their brother was a slave somewhere in Egypt (37:26-28). This, then, was not the context where they expected to find him. Additionally, we learn in vs 23 that there was an interpreter between them, giving them the impression that Joseph did not understand their language.

9        The conversation begins to turn when Joseph remembered his dreams about them. This is the first hint that Joseph recognized God may have had a greater purpose in this encounter.

        Calling Semitic nomads spies would have been entirely typical for Egyptians. Egyptian people condescended their neighbors by calling them “sand dwellers” and “throat slitters.” They were considered by most Egyptians to be barbarians.^[99]

13        This verse offers two interesting bits. First, the brothers insisted that they were twelve brothers rather than spies. That is, despite what they had done to Joseph, they still counted him among their number. Second, they then reported that the youngest is now with our father, thus explaining Benjamin’s absence, and one is no longer living. Of course, they knew they sold Joseph into slavery (37:26-28), but they led their father to believe he was killed by a wild animal (37:31-33). Perhaps they told the same lie (or at least allowed Jacob to believe the same lie) for long enough that they began to believe it themselves. Alternatively, it could be so rehearsed that they tell it reflexively.

14-17        Was this part of a plan? Or was Joseph really trying to punish his brothers for what they did to him?

15        Rather than swearing by the living God, Joseph swore as surely as Pharaoh lives. To swear an oath upon the life of the king was common practice.^[100]

18        Given a couple of days to cool down and think (see note on 34:25 for details on what the third day meant), Joseph returned to his brothers with a different approach. Rather than sending only one home to fetch the other brother, he would send all of them but one. This would allow them to carry enough grain to relieve the hunger of [their] households, but the one remaining in custody would serve as leverage to compel them to bring your youngest brother to [Joseph] so that [their] words can be confirmed. It is interesting, though, that the thing that changed everything seems to be this: I fear God. Our reverence for God must be stronger than any emotion. Our desire to please him must override any other impulse.

        I fear God served also to assure his brothers that Joseph would deal with them with integrity.^[101]

21        The brothers’ remorse here becomes clear. They perceived Joseph as the instrument of God’s justice, punishing them for what they had done to Joseph.^[102]

22        Reuben continues to look out for himself (see 37:21-22). Rather than repenting with his brothers, he excuses himself and places the blame for the situation entirely upon them: Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen.

24        Having heard the brothers’ remorse, Joseph turned away from them and wept. Their grief and confession opened the door for reconciliation.^[103]

25        Joseph’s plan began to come together. He had seen their remorse. Now, by [returning] each man’s silver to his sack, he would test their integrity.

28        Recognizing their own bags of silver, the brothers blamed – rather than thanked – God. Clearly, they expected that God had supernaturally returned their silver so they would be blamed by the Egyptians for theft, and that would result in them being summarily executed.

34        In vs 20, Joseph threatened that, if the brothers did not return with Benjamin, they would die. However, in an effort to comfort their aged father – for whom they had little concern years ago – they now softened the threat to say only that Benjamin had to accompany them so they could trade in the country.

36        In moments when things go wrong, it often seems like everything goes wrong. We tend to forget all the good things that happened in our lives and blessings we have received when things go wrong. This is why it is imperative to be deliberate in our praise and thanksgiving every day, so that even on those days when it seems everything happens to us, we remember that God is still at work.

37-38        Again, Reuben attempts to thrust himself to the forefront and become the hero. The implication of his words is that he alone was worthy of Jacob’s trust, but his previous actions had completely destroyed Jacob’s trust. Indeed, even now, his offer evades personal accountability: Reuben offers his sons’ lives rather than his own should he fail to uphold his promise.

[98] Sproul 2016, Genesis 42:6

[99] Keener and Walton 2016, Genesis 42:9

[100] Sproul 2016, Genesis 42:15

[101] Sproul 2016, Genesis 42:18

[102] Sproul 2016, Genesis 42:21

[103] Sproul 2016, Genesis 42:24