1 When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”
2 And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.”
3 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.
4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him.
5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
7 And Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
8 And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”
10 They said to him, “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food.
11 Then Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
12 He said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”
13 They said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.”
14 And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you; you are spies.
15 And this is how you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”
17 And he put them all together in custody for three days.
18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,
20 but bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”
21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.”
23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
24 He turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.
26 Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed.
27 When one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack.
28 And he said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” Then their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
29 When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying,
30 The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land.
31 And we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies.
32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’
33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way.
34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”
35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.
36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.”
37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”
38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
The True Meaning of Genesis 42
This chapter of Genesis is written by Moses, the great prophet and leader of the Israelites. He recounts the story of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, and the events that unfold as his brothers come to Egypt seeking food during a time of famine. The brothers’ guilt and fear are seen as they stand before the powerful ruler of Egypt, unaware that it is their long-lost brother Joseph in this passage. The chapter foreshadows the dramatic reunion that is to come, as well as the unfolding of God’s plan to preserve the Israelite family and ultimately lead them to the Promised Land.
The events described in this chapter echo the earlier story of Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers, as recorded in Genesis 37. We are reminded of the far-reaching consequences of sin and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. We are invited to reflect on our own need for repentance and the transformative power of God’s grace as the brothers face the consequences of their past actions.
Genesis 42:1-5
Jacob and his sons were residing in the land of Canaan, as set in Genesis 42:1-5. Famine had struck the land, prompting Jacob to send his ten sons to Egypt to buy grain. However, Jacob did not send his youngest son, Benjamin, as he feared harm might come to him as it did to his brother Joseph, whom he believed was dead. This refusal to send Benjamin highlights Jacob’s deep love and concern for his youngest son as Benjamin was the only remaining son of his beloved wife, Rachel. The mention of Rachel here serves as a reminder of the familial dynamics and the emotional depth within the family of Jacob.
This passage foreshadows the eventual reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, who had betrayed him and sold him into slavery out of jealousy. Joseph’s story is one of great suffering and resilience but also forgiveness and redemption. Jacob unwittingly plays a part in setting the stage for the climax of Joseph’s story by not sending Benjamin, where Joseph will test his brothers and ultimately forgive them. This emphasizes the theme of God’s sovereignty and how He works through even the most challenging circumstances to bring about His divine plan.
The journey of Jacob’s sons to Egypt can be seen as a test of their character and a way for them to atone for their past sins. Their actions in selling Joseph had long-lasting consequences, not just for Joseph but for the entire family. This journey to Egypt provides them with an opportunity to reflect on their past mistakes and potentially seek redemption. It also serves as a test of their loyalty to their father, as Jacob was hesitant to send Benjamin due to his past experiences of loss with Joseph.
This passage also speaks to the themes of providence and providential irony. It was due to the famine that Jacob’s sons were forced to go to Egypt, not knowing that they would come face to face with the brother they had wronged years ago. This twist of fate, orchestrated by God, demonstrates His ability to bring about reconciliation and restoration in ways that human beings may not anticipate. This aligns with the overarching theme of God’s faithfulness and how He uses even the darkest moments for His ultimate purposes. This passage sets the stage for the unfolding drama of reconciliation, forgiveness, and redemption that will characterize the later chapters of Genesis. It lays the foundation for the transformative journey that Joseph and his brothers will undertake, ultimately leading to healing and restoration within their fractured family. Through the intricate weaving of human choices and divine providence, the story in Genesis 42 reflects the timeless message of God’s grace and mercy, even in the most broken of relationships.
Genesis 42:6-17
Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain during the severe famine that had struck the land, as seen in Genesis 42:6-17. Let’s break down this passage into important sections for a more detailed commentary.
- “Now Joseph was the governor over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.” – Genesis 42:6
This verse sets the stage for a profound moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph, whom his brothers had sold into slavery many years ago, is now the powerful governor of Egypt. The brothers unknowingly come before Joseph seeking grain, fulfilling the dreams Joseph had as a young man where his brothers would bow down to him (Genesis 37:5-11). This serves as a remarkable testament to God’s plan and how He can work through the most difficult circumstances to bring about His purpose.
- “Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him… Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them.” – Genesis 42:8, 9
Despite the passage of time and the transformation in Joseph’s appearance and status, he recognizes his brothers immediately. However, the brothers do not recognize him, as they had last seen him when he was a youth. Joseph’s remembrance of his dreams serves as a reminder that God’s promises are faithful and will come to pass in His perfect timing. It also highlights the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation, as Joseph will have to navigate his feelings towards his brothers and ultimately choose to forgive them for their past betrayal.
- “Joseph said to them, ‘You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land!’ … But they said, ‘Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.’” – Genesis 42:9, 13
Joseph tests his brothers by accusing them of being spies, a tactic he uses to assess their intentions and whether they have truly changed from the deceitful men they once were. The mention of the youngest brother, Benjamin, who is now with their father Jacob, stirs emotions in Joseph, as Benjamin is his full brother by both parents and holds a special place in his heart. The brother who is “no more” is a reference to Joseph himself, subtly revealing his identity to the brothers but not yet fully disclosing it.
- “Then they said to one another, ‘We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us. The brothers begin to see the connection between their current troubles and their past sins as guilt resurfaces among them for their past actions against Joseph. This moment of confession and reflection showcases the transformative power of remorse and the acknowledgment of their wrongdoing. It sets the stage for the brothers to undergo a process of repentance and redemption, leading to a profound reconciliation with Joseph later in the narrative. Genesis 42:6-17 provides a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers, illustrating themes of redemption, forgiveness, and divine providence. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty in orchestrating events for His purpose and the importance of reconciliation and repentance in relationships. Through the intricate weaving of human choices and divine intervention, the narrative unfolds to reveal the beauty of restoration and the fulfillment of God’s plans.
Genesis 42:18-24
Joseph’s brothers come face to face with him in Egypt in Genesis 42:18-24, though they do not recognize him. There are several important sections to consider in this passage.
- “On the third day, Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you may go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.’ This they proceeded to do.”
This section reveals Joseph’s plan to test his brothers. He wants to see if they have truly changed from the time they sold him into slavery. Joseph is testing if they will abandon him as they did with Joseph by asking them to bring back their youngest brother, Benjamin. It also shows Joseph’s mercy and concern for their families, as he allows them to take grain back for their households. This act of kindness is a reflection of Joseph’s forgiving nature, despite the pain his brothers caused him.
- “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’ Reuben replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.’”
Here, we see the brothers acknowledging their guilt over what they did to Joseph. Their inner turmoil and guilt are surfacing as they connect their current predicament to their mistreatment of Joseph. Reuben, who had initially tried to save Joseph from harm, reminds them of their wrongdoing and the consequences they are facing as a result. This introspection and accountability highlight the theme of repentance and consequences of sin, showing that actions have lasting effects and require repentance to move forward.
- “They did not realize that Joseph could understand them since he was using an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. Joseph’s emotions come to the forefront in this section as he hears his brothers’ remorse and confession. His weeping reveals the depth of his feelings towards them and the pain he must have endured all these years. Joseph demonstrates his authority by taking Simeon as a prisoner but also hints at his desire for his brothers to return with Benjamin, the youngest brother. This action reflects the complexity of forgiveness and reconciliation, where Joseph is testing his brothers but also expressing his longing for reconciliation and unity among his family.
This passage in Genesis 42 is a powerful reminder of themes such as forgiveness, repentance, and the consequences of sin. Through Joseph’s story, we see how forgiveness can bring healing and restoration, even in the midst of past pain and betrayal. It also showcases the importance of self-reflection and accountability for one’s actions, as the brothers come to terms with their past sins and face the consequences. This narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of family dynamics, redemption, and the sovereignty of God in shaping events to fulfill His purpose, laying the foundation for future events and lessons in the biblical narrative.
Genesis 42:25-28
Joseph’s brothers, who had come to Egypt to buy grain during the severe famine, are confronted with a situation that stirs their hearts with guilt and fear in Genesis 42:25-28. They discover that the money they had used to pay for the grain had been mysteriously returned to their sacks as they were loading their grain on their donkeys to return to their father Jacob in Canaan. This discovery startles them, and they are immediately filled with dread.
This incident serves as a test for Joseph’s brothers. They had wronged Joseph years earlier by selling him into slavery out of jealousy, and now they are being tested to see if they have truly changed. The returned money could have easily been seen as a blessing, yet their guilty consciences immediately jump to the worst possible scenario, fearing that they would be accused of theft. This reaction shows that they are still carrying the weight of their past sins and have not yet fully repented.
This event also foreshadows the moment when Joseph, who has risen to power in Egypt and becomes the one responsible for selling grain to the famine-stricken people, will orchestrate a test to reveal his brothers’ true character. Just as the money in their sacks reveals their guilt, Joseph’s plan will eventually lead to the emotional revelation and reconciliation between him and his brothers.
The concept of tests and trials is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, serving as opportunities for individuals to demonstrate their faith, integrity, and repentance. For Joseph’s brothers, this unexpected turn of events becomes a test of their character and a chance for them to confront their past actions. This narrative of redemption and forgiveness showcases the transformative power of God’s grace and the importance of confronting and repenting of our sins. We witness the profound impact of forgiveness and reconciliation on Joseph’s family as his story unfolds in subsequent chapters, illustrating God’s ability to work through even the most broken relationships for His ultimate purpose. Jesus teaches in passages such as Matthew 6:14-15 in the New Testament, reminding us of the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation by saying, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This principle underscores the significance of addressing our past wrongdoings and extending forgiveness to others, as demonstrated in Joseph’s eventual reconciliation with his brothers. Through these narratives, we are encouraged to seek repentance, extend forgiveness, and trust in God’s transformative power to heal and restore relationships.
Genesis 42:29-38
We witness a significant moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 42:29-38. This passage describes the brothers’ return to their father Jacob, also known as Israel, in Canaan after their first visit to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. When they arrived home, they recounted their encounter with the Egyptian viceroy, who was, unbeknownst to them, their long-lost brother Joseph.
Jacob is distraught to learn that Simeon was held in Egypt as a hostage until they bring Benjamin, his youngest son, back with them. He immediately expresses his fears and concerns about sending Benjamin, as he could not bear losing another son. Jacob’s deep love and attachment to Benjamin are evident, as he was the son born to him in his old age after the loss of his beloved wife Rachel.
This emotional turmoil faced by Jacob reveals the consequences of the brothers’ past actions. The jealousy and betrayal they exhibited towards Joseph now come back to haunt them, bringing distress upon their father. This situation highlights the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and repentance throughout the Bible. It shows how sin and deception within a family can have long-lasting effects and how facing the consequences of our actions is an essential part of seeking redemption.
The brothers’ initial mistreatment of Joseph led to his being sold into slavery in Egypt, where he eventually rises to a position of power. This foreshadows the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in the overall narrative of the Bible. Joseph’s forgiveness towards his brothers and his ability to see God’s hand at work in every situation demonstrate the transformative power of forgiveness and the fulfillment of God’s divine plan despite human weaknesses and failings.
Jacob’s hesitation in sending Benjamin mirrors the testing of his faith and trust in God’s providence, reflecting his personal growth and spiritual journey. Just as Abraham demonstrated faith by offering Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22), Jacob must also learn to trust God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty and fear.
This passage ultimately sets the stage for the brothers’ second journey to Egypt, where they will face Joseph again and continue the process of reconciliation and redemption. It serves as a reminder that God’s purposes will prevail, even amidst the brokenness and struggles of humanity. God’s sovereignty and His ability to bring about good from even the darkest circumstances ultimately point to the overarching theme.
After Genesis 42
The brothers returned to Canaan, their sacks filled with grain and their money returned. They told Jacob all that had happened in Egypt. Jacob was dismayed to hear that Simeon remained imprisoned and that the ruler demanded they bring Benjamin to him. Jacob refused to let Benjamin go, fearing he would not return. The brothers, however, knew they must return to Egypt to buy more food, for the famine was severe. I could not help but reflect on the ways in which the Lord often tests our faith, even when the path ahead seems unclear as the family faced this difficult decision. Though we may not understand His purposes, we must trust that He is working all things for our good. Jacob’s family will navigate this trial in the coming chapter, and their obedience – or lack thereof – will shape the unfolding of God’s plan. We should pray that we too will have the courage to follow where the Lord leads, even when the way is uncertain.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.