Genesis 43: Someone Has to Talk to Joe

Journey through the Book of Genesis with me.  The plan is simple. Read ONE chapter a day. Blog or journal 5* things you learned that you previously didn't know and ask 5* questions about the chapter that you'll ponder all week. Let's go!

** You'll probably learn way more than 5 things and have more than 5 questions about each chapter. That's totally fine. The more the merrier! 

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GENESIS 43:1-34

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: Why is Judah (4th born) the one making major calls in this narrative and not Reuben, the first born? (verse 8-9)

QUESTION 2: Why is Judah suddenly willing to lay down his life and his children's on behalf of Benjamin's safe return when years earlier, he was a key culprit in the plot to sell Joseph into slavery for profit? (Genesis 37:26)

QUESTION 3: In light of the brothers explanation in verse 21, why did they not return sooner to give back the money?

QUESTION 4: What did the steward mean by his statement in v.23, "Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver."? How did he perceive that God had given the brothers treasure?

QUESTION 5: What was Joseph trying to demonstrate in seating the brothers according to their birthright, yet, not letting his identity be known?

WHAT I LEARNED

INSIGHT 1: In verse 13-14, Jacob says to Judah and his brothers, "Take your brother [Benjamin] also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” Thus far in Genesis, Jacob does not seem to have wholeheartedly embrace intimacy with God. Though he trusts in God, he still appears to hold God at a distance and doesn't demonstrate much faith in some of his decisions. 

INSIGHT 2: The respond of the steward of Joseph's house in verse 23, “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." would suggest that Joseph had long been anticipating his brother's arrival. It's likely also why he offers them a warm reception to dine at his table.  

INSIGHT 3: When Joseph asks about his father, Jacob but distances himself emotionally from his query, his heart would have been overwhelmed with hope and joy (v.27-28).

INSIGHT 4: Benjamin would have been a little boy around the time Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17. This means that it's been somewhere around 30 years since Joseph laid eyes on his brother from the same deceased mother (Rachel), which then explains why he's suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and has to hurry out of his chamber to weep in private (v.30).

INSIGHT 5: Joseph's joy at being reunited with his mother's son shows its partiality in the 5x portion of food that Benjamin is served in comparison to his brothers. 

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