Fear, Faith, and Feasting

Genesis 43:1-34

The final section of Genesis, the generations of Jacob, began in Genesis 37. There seem to be two overarching purposes of God’s providence that God is accomplishing in the story of Joseph.[1] First, God is working through these events to bring Israel, the family of Jacob and his sons, to Egypt in fulfillment of the word of the Lord to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14. By taking them to Egypt, God will remove Israel from the evils of Canaan for a time and unite them as a people. Genesis 37-41 focused mainly on God’s development of Joseph for leadership in Egypt, so he could save not only his family but many nations during a world-wide famine. Second, Not only did God have plans to use Joseph greatly, but also his brothers. They would be the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, a great nation in fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. So, Genesis 42-44 focus on God’s development of Joseph’s brothers (especially Judah), who had previously sold Joseph into slavery. These men had sinned against their brother Joseph, against their father, and against God. This family needed reconciliation.

We have talked about the need for true repentance in order to affect true reconciliation. For this family to come together in peace, they will need to surrender themselves to God. God has been in the process of leading these brothers to repentance through several steps: 1) The physical famine has pointed to their spiritual famine and hopelessness; 2) Joseph’s harsh treatment and testing has awakened their guilty consciences; 3) Their confinement in prison led to their confession of sin against their brother (Gen. 42:21); 4) Their distress is heightened upon their return home when they find their money and acknowledge God’s hand at work (Gen. 42:28).[2]

However God is not done yet. He is using Joseph to test these men and He is suing the situation to bring about repentance which will lead to reconciliation. God not only uses hardship, testing, and time to awaken our consciences, He also lavishes His grace and kindness on us to lead us to repentance. Paul reminds us in Romans 2:4 that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”

This passage bounces back and forth between the fears of Jacob and his sons and the unbounded kindness and provision from the hand of Joseph. Certainly, Joseph’s compassion and kindness and grace and mercy and love overflow in every interaction with his family as God providentially sets up the ultimate reconciliation.

1. Jacob’s fear and faith (Gen. 43:1-14)

¹ Now the famine was severe in the land. ² And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” ³ But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ⁴ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. ⁵ But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.”‘ ⁶ And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?” ⁷ But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, “Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, “Bring your brother down’?” ⁸ Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. ⁹ I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. ¹⁰ For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

The seven-year famine persisted throughout the land of Egypt and Canaan. God’s disciplining providence continues for Jacob’s family. Although Jacob’s sons had previously received abundant provisions from Egypt, they apparently didn’t last long, perhaps only a few months because “the famine was severe in the land” (Gen 43:1). And although they don’t know it, there will still be five more years of famine coming (Gen. 45:11).

After most of the provisions were used up, Jacob said, “Go back, buy us a little food” (Gen. 43:2). In response, Judah challenged him saying that they could not return without Benjamin. The Egyptian ruler (who was really their brother Joseph) warned them not to return without their youngest brother. Remember that Joseph had detained Simeon in Egypt to test their integrity and ensure their return. When Jacob was told that Simeon was held captive he blamed it on his sons saying, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me” (Gen. 42:36). Jacob resisted sending Benjamin to Egypt, even if it meant that Simeon remained imprisoned and the family went without food, saying, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave” (Gen. 42:38). In other word, “You want to take Benjamin to Egypt? Over my dead body!”  

Now that his family is all in danger of perishing again Jacob blamed it all on his sons, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?” (Gen. 43:6). I imagine this argument probably happened several times over the months since they returned from Egypt. Jacob is wrapped up in his own misery and fears.

Judah once again steps up and pledges himself as security for Benjamin—he would take care of him at all costs (Gen. 43:8-9). Genesis 43 and 44 demonstrate Judah’s rise to leadership among his brothers. Here, he intervenes with his father and he accepts all responsibility for returning Benjamin safely. Later, he is listed separately from his brothers (“Judah and his brothers,” Gen. 44:14); he will accept responsibility for the supposed theft on behalf of his brothers (Gen. 44:16); and he is the spokesman with Joseph who and offers himself in the place of Benjamin (Gen. 44:33). At least Judah’s heart seems to be changing.

At this point, Jacob relents: Genesis 43:11-14:

¹¹ And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man–a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. ¹³ Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

Jacob sets forth a plan for his sons to return to Egypt with Benjamin. He tells them to take some of the best products of the land and to bring double the money to the ruler, to make up for the money that was mysteriously returned to them before. Jacob also prayed for his sons. Some commentators see Jacob as pessimistic and continuing to act in fear rather than faith here. But I think God is working a remarkable change in Jacob. Jacob’s faith is displayed here.

One way that Moses signals this change in Jacob is that he uses the name “Israel” instead of “Jacob” in this chapter (Gen. 43:6, 8, 11). Previously, after Abram’s name was changed to “Abraham” (Gen 17:5), his new name was always used. That represented a “profound and prominent change in his character.”[3] However, with Jacob, Moses continues to us his old name, probably indicating that his old nature still prevailed in him. The name “Israel” has not been used since Genesis 37:13. God is using this famine not to reconcile Jacob’s sons, but also to restore Jacob’s own faith.

Even godly people become discouraged, doubt God, and compromise with sin. For Jacob, it happened after the loss of his son, Joseph, and he needed this famine to awaken his trust in God. He needed Judah to speak truth into his life, so his faith could overcome his fears and he could start to live like “Israel” again.[4]

Notice three things about this prayer that Jacob offers. First, he uses the name, “God Almighty,” El Shaddai. That is the name by which God had come to his grandfather, Abraham in Genesis 17. There God promised to give Abraham a son, a seed from his own body. This is significant here because Jacob is about to send all of his sons, his seed, to Egypt with the possibility that they will never return. All of his eggs are in one basket. But it is God’s basket. And so he calls on the name of God Almighty.[5]

Second, notice what he asks for, God’s mercy. He asks that God Almighty would grant them mercy or compassion in the sight the man. He knows that the heart of this Egyptian is held in the hand of God Almighty. God can cause the Egyptian to be compassionate with them.

Third, notice his words of resignation, “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!” (Gen. 43:14). Jacob is risking everything here. Once again in the book of Genesis, we are seeing God require his man to risk everything in order to gain the promise. Jacob finally says, “If God takes all my children so be it” (paraphrased). Essentially, he says, “God, your will be done.” Was Israel’s faith missed with doubt? I am sure there was. Just like there is with ours. But ultimately Jacob trusts in God.

In the next section we see,

2. The brothers’ fear (Gen. 43:15-25)

The predominant theme of these verses can be summarized by two words, “fear” and “works.” The brothers’ fears, like their father’s, are completely unfounded. They sought by the works of their hands to win Joseph’s acceptance and favor. When Joseph brought them to his house for a feast, they feared that it was designed to be an opportunity to take them as slaves. Joseph, however, wished only to shower them with blessings.

¹⁵ So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house. ¹⁸ Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.” ¹⁹ When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house, ²⁰ and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; ²¹ but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand. ²² And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” ²³ But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. ²⁴ So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. ²⁵ Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

Joseph’s brothers came with a plan of action previously outlined by their father. They would offer the Egyptian governor a gift of some of Canaan’s best products (Gen. 43:11), and they would give back the money which had been returned in their sacks (Gen. 43:12).

When Joseph looked out and beheld Benjamin with his older brothers, he set a plan in motion, apparently without talking to them. He instructed his servant to take these men into his house and to prepare a meal for them in a way that parallels the reception of the prodigal son in the New Testament (Luke 15:11-32).

Unaware that they were being taken into Joseph’s home to partake of the noon meal, they thought it was they who were destined for slaughter. In desperation they took the steward aside to explain how they had found their money in their sacks and that they had brought it with them to repay it. The steward sought to calm their fears by assuring them that he had received the money for their grain. Saying it was their God and the God of their father who had provided this money (Gen. 43:23). To further assure them, he brought out Simeon and returned him to them.[6]

By this time the men had learned that the reason for their being brought to Joseph’s home was to partake in the noon meal with him (verse 25). Anticipating Joseph’s arrival, they first were given water to drink and freshen up and fodder to feed their animals. After this, they set themselves to the task of preparing the gift which they would present to Joseph when he arrived (Gen. 43:25). In their fear, they hoped their gifts would appease this man.

Fear causes us to try to earn favor with God. Steven Cole writes:

That’s typical of sinful man’s attempt to approach God with his own efforts. A man is nervous about his sin when he approaches a holy God, so he says, “Maybe if I give some money at church, God will accept me. Maybe I’ll add some other good deeds, too.” So we bring our pistachio nuts and almonds to placate our guilty consciences and hopefully be accepted by God. But God’s response is the same as Joseph’s: He completely ignores our gifts! Joseph doesn’t even comment on their elaborate present.[7]

In the last section we see,

3. Joseph’s kindness (Gen. 43:26-34)

²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. ²⁷ Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” ²⁸ And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves. ²⁹ Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. ³¹ Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.” ³² So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. ³³ And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. ³⁴ Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

Notice the many signs of Joseph’s kindness to his brothers. We already saw the steward’s gracious reply when the brothers express their concern about the money in their sacks (Gen. 43:23). Certainly, this was at Joseph’s instructions. Returning their money had been a sign of Joseph’s love for his brothers and God’s grace toward them.

Next, Simeon was returned to them. His healthy return to his brothers was another sign of Joseph’s kindness. Then, the steward even washed their feet and fed their donkeys (Gen. 43:24). They weren’t being treated roughly, as prisoners, but with the respect given to honored guests.

When Joseph arrived home, he asked them (still using an interpreter) about their welfare, and especially about their father. Then Joseph saw Benjamin. His little brother had been only a year old the last time Joseph had seen him. As he gazed upon Benjamin, thoughts of his family and his mother, who died giving birth to this child, flooded over him. He managed to say, “God be gracious to you, my son” before he was overcome with compassion and left the room to weep. Genesis 43:30, “Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep.”  The word “yearned” here is the “mercy” or “compassion”—the same word that Jacob prayed that the man would show to his sons (Gen. 43:14).

Then, Joseph treats his brothers to this great feast. Joseph, being the master, sat at a table by himself. His Egyptian servants sat at another table, not wanting to defile themselves by eating with these Hebrews. They must have wondered why in the world Joseph would invite these hicks from the sticks to eat in his home. Then, even more puzzling, why did he keep giving them portions from his table, a sign of special honor? Benjamin got five times as much, again due to Joseph’s special love for his own full brother. Some think Joseph was again testing the other brothers, to see if they would be jealous as they had been with him so many years ago.Like Joseph’s brothers, who had sinned terribly against him, every person has sinned against God. If He gave us what we deserve, we would all go straight to hell. But as Jesus said, “For He is kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35). He grants us the many blessings of life when we deserve His judgment, so that we will turn from our sin.

Romans 2:4, asks: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” If you have not turned from your sin to faith Christ, you are shrugging off the kindness of God. The next verse warns, “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” In other words, now is the time when God has graciously shown you His kindness so that you may turn to Him. But if you shrug it off, the day of judgment lies ahead.

“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.” Joseph’s kind treatment of his brothers allowed them to enjoy this sumptuous meal (Gen. 43:34). Their fears are relieved—almost! At this point in the story, before the brothers have fully repented of their sin, the kind treatment they have received from their brother whom they have wronged has almost taken away the fear caused by their guilt–almost, but not quite. When they sit down to this meal, to their astonishment they are seated in the exact order of their birth. And, contrary to custom, the youngest is given the most. This made these brothers a bit nervous. They had the feeling that this man had some uncanny power to know things which they had not revealed.

In this chapter the brothers promised to take the blame for any catastrophe (responsibility); they acknowledged their culpability and made restitution for the money in their sacks (honesty); they retrieved their brother from prison in Egypt (unity); they recognized that God was at work in their midst (belief); and they rejoiced in their provisions, even when a brother was receiving more than they were (gratitude).[8]

God is working through His gracious kindness and compassion to bring these men to repentance and reconciliation.

Has God’s kindness brought you to repentance and faith in Him?

[1] Ligon Duncan, The Brothers Return to Egypt, https://fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/the-brothers-return-to-egypt/

[2] Brad Mills, The Kindness of God (Genesis 43), https://gracefresno.com/sermons/the-kindness-of-god-genesis-43/

[3] James Montgomery Boice, Genesis: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998), p. 1025.

[4] Gregory Brown, How God Changes Hearts (Genesis 43-44), https://bible.org/seriespage/6-how-god-changes-hearts-genesis-43-44

[5] Duncan. Ibid.

[6] Robert Deffinbaugh, The Fears of Jacob and the Tears of Joseph (Genesis 43:1-34), https://bible.org/seriespage/fears-jacob-and-tears-joseph-genesis-431-34

[7] Steven Cole, https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-72-how-grace-leads-repentance-genesis-4315-4417

[8] Allen P. Ross, Creation and Blessing, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1998), p.122.

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