"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
Genesis 50:20
Part 5
Yesterday: God Plans for Jacob’s Needs
“But God meant it unto good.” (a)
Joseph’s brothers’ evil plots were no match for God’s goodness.
God provided food for Jacob’s starving family through his “dead son,” Joseph.
Today: Benjamin Goes to Egypt
“But God meant it unto good.” (b)
The family food supply was used up, and Jacob needed his sons to head back to Egypt to buy more. They had returned home with food but without their brother Simeon who was praying for their return, while he languished in an Egyptian prison. Perhaps this was the same one that Joseph stayed in years ago. The boys knew they could not return to buy more food unless Jacob would allow Benjamin to go with them. The “ruler” demanded this.
“And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you” (Genesis 43:3).
Finally, after Judah promised that he would watch over Benjamin and be the security deposit for him, Jacob relented and let Benjamin go with his brothers. Jacob would not let them leave without gifts for the Egyptian ruler. Even though they were at the point of starvation themselves, Jacob sent the ruler the best gifts they had (Genesis 43:11). And he told the boys to take double the money back, to make sure this was not a mistake. And Jacob trusted in the Lord as they left,
“And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved” (Genesis 43:14).
“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” (Genesis 43:15).
Joseph was glad to see his brothers again. And there was Benjamin, no longer a little kid but now a man. Joseph spoke to the steward of his home and told him to take these men home with him and prepare a meal. When the brothers saw Joseph’s home, they must have been in awe, for they have never seen such a magnificent dwelling as this one. They are all highly fearful, for why would this ruler, the second in command in all of Egypt, want to take them to his home? Their reaction to this “kindness” is interesting. They have been quietly living with the guilt for their sin against Joseph for all these years. Without realizing it, they are waiting for the other shoe to drop. “Perhaps today, some evil retribution will come down upon our heads because of the money from our last trip.”
“… and they said, ‘It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys’” (Genesis 43:18, ESV).[1]
It was then the brothers explained to the steward what happened last time. They now intended to pay their debt. “We have money for our last order, and we need to buy more grain so we can feed our families. We will pay you in full.”
Joseph’s steward replied to them,
“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” (Genesis 43:23).
Imagine their shock in realizing that an Egyptian servant had said that the Hebrew God of their father is behind what is happening here. They were taken into Joseph’s house, their needs cared for, and even their animals fed and watered. When Joseph arrived home, they bowed down to the ground before him and presented him with a gift from their dad. Joseph wanted to know how their family back in Israel was doing, especially “their father.” They told him and then bowed their heads before him again.
Joseph looked around the group and saw his brother Benjamin. His particular fondness for this brother was because Rachel was their mother. She was Jacob’s “favorite wife,” and these boys were his favorite sons. God had miraculously brought them together again. This was too much for Joseph, and he went into his private chamber and wept for joy.
As the brothers sat down to eat, they were lined up at the table by their birth order, from Ruben to Benjamin. How could the Egyptians know this? Joseph and the Egyptians sat at a different table from the brothers. It would’ve been an abomination for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews in the Egyptian culture. Joseph sent servings of food from his table to each of the men. But to Benjamin, he sent five times as much food as the other brothers’ servings.
“…And they drank, and were merry with him” (Genesis 43:34c).
What an incredible turn of events for the sons of Jacob. For the moment, they can breathe again. But the intrigue is not over. Come back tomorrow, and let’s see Benjamin get set up as a thief!
Quote: “Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction; otherwise we shall not truly receive them”[2] (Spurgeon).
[1] ESV is the English Standard Version.
[2] Spurgeon’s quote Downloaded: Saturday, March 20, 2021. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-affliction/.