Genesis 42

Genesis 42

The story shifts back to Jacob (Israel) and his sons who are suffering from the famine as well. Remember that at the end of Genesis 41 it says that the famine had gone throughout the entire world. Therefore, Jacob, while living in Canaan, also endured the effects of the famine. So he sent 10 of his sons down to Egypt to get some food. Ironically, he was unknowingly sending them to his other son Joseph, whom God had placed in charge of that food.

As they arrive in Egypt, Joseph recognizes them immediately, but they are unable to recognize him. It is then that Joseph remembers the dreams he had when he was still living with them. God had shown him that one day his brothers would bow to him, in need of his help. That day had now come, and it all depended on Joseph as to whether they got food. Now Joseph could have ignored their request, treating them like spies (like he suggests at first). He did not have to give them anything, and after the way they had treated him, that would probably be our first instinct. But over the last several years Joseph had experienced God’s presence like never before. He had seen God at work on multiple occasions, and he knew that this was his opportunity to help his family out despite what they had done to him.

However, he did not let them off the hook quite that easy. For one, his other brother was not with them, and he wanted Benjamin there first. So Joseph decided to keep one in Egypt while he sent the other 9 back with food and an opportunity to bring back Benjamin. This plan might seem a little harsh, but it was working on his brothers. They finally realized their mistake, understanding how much they had wronged Joseph. In their eyes, the famine and their hard times in Egypt were punishment. It even appears as if they might be close to repentance for their actions. Nevertheless, their trials were still not over, and despite wanting any personal revenge against his brothers, Joseph sent them back with plenty of grain to keep them alive for a while longer.

In order to make sure that Benjamin came back, Joseph sent them back with their money. When they noticed that it had been put back in their bags, they were frightened, thinking that they might be in even more trouble with Egyptians, this time for stealing. So they explained the story to Jacob, but Jacob was very reluctant. Benjamin was his last son from Rachel (his favorite wife). After losing Joseph, he knew that he would not be able to bear losing Benjamin. So as Genesis 42 comes to a close, Jacob is refusing to help them, and can you blame him? Life throws trials at us all the time, and it seems as if they all come at once many times. This is where Jacob was at this point in life, and he knew that he could not endure another tragedy. He did not know that this was God’s plan. He had no way of knowing what he should do. So he waited. For me, waiting is hard. Sometimes the path is just not clear. But from personal experiences, that is where prayer comes in. We may not know where we are supposed to go next or how to handle certain situations. But we can always depend on God’s guidance. Just as Joseph depended on God’s protection in Egypt, Jacob was now beginning to learn to depend on God’s guidance in life. These are 2 valuable truths that we can hold onto today as well.

Matt