[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 43
6 It is often easy to focus on the trouble of life. However, see note on 42:36.
8-10 Judah finally steps forward and takes charge. His words here demonstrate the transformation of his character and conduct. In 37:26-27, Judah came up with the idea to sell Joseph into slavery so the brothers would at least get something for their trouble, and in 38, he demonstrated his weak character and lacking integrity. Now, though, he takes charge of the situation. To save the family, he assumes personal responsibility and accountability for Benjamin’s safety. He may have been the fourth son of Jacob, but his actions here show that he is worthy to lead the family going forward.
It is interesting to compare Judah’s offer with Reuben’s in 42:37. Reuben offered to allow his sons to be killed if he failed to return Benjamin. Judah, however, took personal responsibility and offered to be held personally accountable and be guilty before [Jacob] forever if he failed to return Benjamin. That is, he did not attempt to assume the authority without also assuming the responsibility for failure.
26 Once again, Joseph’s brothers bowed to the ground before him, fulfilling his dream from 37:8-11.[104]
29 Joseph’s greeting to Benjamin is unique. To him alone, Joseph says, May God be gracious to you, my son. Then, in vs 34, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the other brothers’. This must have been confusing!
32 Eating with Hebrews was detestable to Egyptians because the Hebrews followed different dietary practices. Probably the biggest problem was that the Hebrews ate animals that the Egyptians thought were sacred.[105]
33 The men looked at each other in astonishment because they were seated before [Joseph] in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest.[106] No doubt, they recognized that they had never revealed their birth order, and the chance of Joseph guessing it or just stumbling across it by chance was profoundly remote.
34 As a final test, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. As the youngest son, he should have received the smallest and last portion. Yet, Joseph did the opposite to test the brothers one last time for jealousy. If they protested, he would know that their change of heart was not real. However, they drank and became drunk with Joseph, indicating that their transformation was legitimate.[107]
[104] Sproul 2016, Genesis 43:26
[105] Sproul 2016, Genesis 43:32
[106] Sproul 2016, Genesis 43:33
[107] Sproul 2016, Genesis 43:34