Genesis 43:5














The trial of Joseph is over. Now comes the trial of his brethren and of Jacob. The Spirit of God is at work in all their hearts. True men they were and yet sinful men. Before they can be made partakers of the blessing of Joseph they must pass through the fire. He who is appointed minister of grace to them is the instrument of their trials. Notice -

I. The trial is one of CONSCIENCE. "We are verily guilty concerning our brother. "His blood is required." Face to face with one whom they supposed to be a heathen man, they are reproved. They have to tell facts which smite them with inward reproach.

II. The trial is one of HEART. To leave Simeon behind, to be afraid both for him and for themselves and for Benjamin. To be keenly perplexed and agonized for their old father. To be deeply wounded in the remembrance of their brother Joseph's anguish of soul and helpless cries for pity.

III. The trial is one of FAITH. "What is thin that God hath done unto us?" In the midst of all the roughness, and the fear, and the trouble there is still the feeling that they are being dealt with in some mysterious way by God himself, and there is a mingling of faith with their fear. Reuben again represents the better element in their character, and as they follow him they are led into peace. Joseph's smile is the smile of the loving heart which sometimes dissembles that it may reveal itself the more fully when the opportunity comes. He wept behind their backs. He was hiding the intensest love and the most abundant forgiveness and pitifulness, while he appeared to be a rough enemy. Still there were signs mingled with the harsh treatment that it was not all harsh. The sacks were filled with corn, and the money was returned. A deeper faith would have penetrated the secret. But those that have to be led from the feeble faith to the strong, have to be tried with appearances that seem, as Jacob said, "all against them. How often the believer says, All these things are against me," when he is already close upon that very stream of events which will carry him out of his distress into the midst of plenty, peace, and the joy of a healed heart in its recovered blessedness. Jacob poured out his natural fears and complaints, yet how little they were founded on truth. The son for whom he mourned yet lived and closed his eyes, and his gray hairs went to the grave in peace. - R.

And he took and sent messes unto them from before him.
Consider this incident —

I. As IT ILLUSTRATES SOME USEFUL PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL LIFE.

1. That we should not set up the pretence of loving all alike. Benjamin was specially honoured (ver. 34), and greeted with loving words (ver. 29).

2. That it is wise to observe the established customs of society when they are not morally wrong.

II. AS IT ILLUSTRATES THE SECRET AND THE OUTWARD LIFE.

1. In the case of the brethren.

2. In the case of Joseph.

(T. H. Leale.)

1. The banquet of Joseph's joy, of his hope, of his trying watch.

2. The feast of reviving hope in Joseph's brethren.

3. Their participation without envy in the honouring of Benjamin.

4. An introduction to the last trial, and a preparation for it.

5. The successful issue in the fearful proving of Israel's sons.

(J. P. Lange.)

And now, I apprehend, it was Joseph's wish to discover himself m his brethren, or rather to enable them to discover him. There are three things in particular while they were at dinner, each tending to this end, and as I conceive, designed for it.

1. The order of the tables. One for himself, one for the strangers, and one for the Egyptians. The design of this was to set them a thinking of him, and who he was, or could be? That the Egyptians and Hebrews should eat apart they could easily account for: but who, or what is this man? Is he not an Egyptian? Yet if he be, why eat by himself? Surely he must be a foreigner ....

2. The order in which they themselves were seated; it was "before him," so that they had full opportunity of looking at him; and what was astonishing to them, every man was placed " according to his age." But who can this be that is acquainted with their ages, so as to be able to adjust things in this order? Surely it must be some one who knows us, though we know not him. Or is he a diviner Who or what can he be? They are said to have "marvelled one at another," and well they might. It is marvellous that they did not from hence suspect who he was.

3. The peculiar favour which he expressed to Benjamin, in sending him a mess five times more than the rest. There is no reason to suppose that Benjamin ate more than the rest; but this was the manner of showing special favour in those times. It was therefore saying in effect, "I not only know all your ages, but towards that young man I have more than a common regard Look at all this, and look at me Look at me, my brother Benjamin. Dost thou not know me?" But all was hid from them. Their eyes, like those of the disciples towards their Lord, seem to have been holden, that they should not know him. Their minds however are eased from an apprehensions, and they drank, and were cheerful in his company.

(A. Fuller.)

1. Gracious hearts, however sometime they may deal severely, yet they desire their peace.

2. Providence sometimes orders peaceable entertainment, where worse is feared.

3. Nature itself, much more grace, inquire of and desires the peace of parents. He asked of their father, and meaneth his own (ver. 27).

4. It is equal that peaceable inquiries should have due answers.

5. In answering for others, Providence orders the accomplishment of his will The sunbows, &c.

6. All humility becomes their answers who are in fear of foreign powers (ver. 28.)

7. Sight of near relations moveth to inquire of their condition.

8. Natural affection desires to know its near relations for good.

9. Grace puts souls upon blessing relations as well as knowing them.

10. The best blessing is the grace of God procured upon souls.

11. Brethren may be fathers in blessing the fruit of the same womb (ver. 29).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)

1. Natural affection may speed to vent itself, after gracious benediction.

2. Natural bowels may burn in gracious souls to their relations.

3. Gracious wisdom teacheth to seek time, place, and measure of expressing affection to relations.

4. Secret venting of affections is best at some opportunities (ver. 30).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)

I. PRESENTS FROM HOME. Those made to Joseph by men who little thought what feelings they might excite.

1. They were from his father. He would think of them as being selected by him. An act of homage.

2. They were peculiar to his native country and immediate neighbourhood. How often when a boy had he collected similar gums and nuts. They would take him back to the old time.

3. The presents we may receive from home have more of love in them than homage. We like them the better for that.

4. These presents were the gifts of poor men, who were the poorer by reason of the famine. Presents not to be valued by their intrinsic worth, but by the circumstances under which they were selected, and the feelings with which they are offered.

5. Every good gift is from above. God the author and giver of every good and perfect gift.

6. There is one unspeakable gift, made to us, suited to us; have we accepted this gift?

II. INQUIRIES ABOUT HOME.

1. They are asked concerning their welfare (see Exodus 18:7). Such inquiries from us often mean only the welfare of the body, or relate to temporal things. Family greetings pleasant. Should include an interest in highest and best things.

2. They soon regarded the absent. His father in particular, the "old man." It was about twenty-two years since he had seen his father. "Is he yet alive? A few years work great changes in families. Return to your native town after an absence of twenty-two years, and note the different names, and the vast changes. The father was poorer than when he saw him last by reason of the famine; the son was richer than when he left home to look after the shepherds in Shechem. The coat of many colours exchanged for a robe of state. The shepherd boy become a prince. Absent friends to be remembered.

3. Benjamin specially addressed.

III. THE BANQUET.

1. The president of the feast. Joseph at a raised table by himself. His state and grandeur. Perhaps the presents from home were placed before him. His knowledge of the guests, and their ignorance of him. Jesus at &he last supper knew all, and was little known; after the resurrection He was known in the breaking of bread.

2. The officers of his household. They would show the respect and honour in which he was held.

3. The Israelites. The arrangement of their places at the table. "Whence hath this man this knowledge?" Benjamin's mess. What could this mean? Whether they liked it or not, their father's regard for the younger son, whether Joseph or Benjamin, was to be respected. They needed to be taught this lesson. And we must honour our parents. As they thus sat and feasted with the prince, did they think of the time when they sat down to eat bread by the side of the pit where Joseph was once imprisoned? Joseph returned good for evil. Learn: Let us remember home, especially the heavenly home.

(J. C. Gray.).

People
Benjamin, Egyptians, Joseph, Simeon
Places
Egypt
Topics
Brother, Except, Face, Sending, Unless, We'll, Wilt, You'll
Outline
1. Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.
15. Joseph entertains his brothers.
19. They discover their fears to the steward.
26. Joseph makes them a feast.

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 43:1-26

     5325   gifts

Library
Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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