Family Reunion
What do you see?
Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, even though he was going blind (Genesis 48:8). It is worth noticing that Jacob’s sons miss what was obvious to their father, especially when we consider that Joseph knew the famine would come and has prepared for it. This first verse foreshadows a family reunion that is to take place.
Genesis 42-43 tells the story of a family reunion, picking up the storyline from Genesis 37. It should be no surprise to us that some of the same motifs will reappear in this narrative. We will witness a fractured family, a father’s favoritism, a journey of brothers, deception, remembering dreams, superior knowledge (Joseph’s), a lost brother (Simeon), a report, and an inconsolable father. (Mathews, K. A. Genesis 11:27-50:26. Vol. 1B, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005. p767)
Even though Joseph has undergone great changes in his life, his brothers appear to have remained essentially the same. However, their two journeys to Egypt will change their relationship with one another and with God. Though none of this is clear at this point in the story. What the brothers will view as their demise will ultimately work to their benefit.
“Not only is God’s timetable difficult for us to anticipate, God’s methods may be difficult for us to recognize.”
The mending of Jacob’s family is now underway. God is working to redeem a household of faith, these are the patriarchs of the children of Israel after all. Though good and bad choices are made God is able to work through all of them to bring about a greater good.
Joseph’s 10 Brothers
Notice how the narrator now introduces the 10 men who will be traveling to Egypt as Joseph’s brothers, instead of as Jacob/Israel’s sons. Back in Genesis 37:32, the brothers ask Jacob whether the tunic belonged to his son, thus distancing themselves from Joseph. Here, however, we see that Joseph’s brothers are on route for a reunion. The relationship highlighted by the narrator is that of those 10 men to Joseph, they are brothers. The mention of Joseph’s 10 brothers does something else as well, it causes us to wonder about the 11th brother Benjamin.
Genesis 42:4 addresses the question regarding the absence of the 11th brother in the caravan to buy grain in Egypt. Jacob apparently still plays favorites, perhaps even more so now since Benjamin is the only child left from his favorite wife, Rachel.
The 10 brothers leave, and they are not alone, apparently many others are on their way to Egypt, indicating that the famine was indeed severe and widespread.
Spies!
Joseph is powerful, he is the governor over the land, not only that he was also the one in charge of selling the food. His brothers arrive and kneel before him. Joseph sees and recognizes his brothers. His brothers, however, continue to be ignorant and blind. Joseph has power, wisdom, and knowledge and the contrast could not be starker. Joseph also remembers his dream (Genesis 37:5-9) as he beholds his brothers kneeling and bowing before him.
Joseph is harsh with them and accuses them of being spies. Flustered and trying to provide evidence of their innocence the 10 brothers provide Joseph with exactly what he wanted, an excuse to see Benjamin. Joseph places all his brothers in prison for three days before letting them out. Joseph decides to let them return with the food but one brother must say behind and remain in prison until Benjamin is brought before Joseph.
The brothers speak amongst themselves, not realizing that Joseph can understand them. We catch a glimpse of their emotional state. they are confused, scared, and after all these years they feel guilty for what they did to Joseph. It is like they have been waiting, knowing that one day they would pay for what they had done. They did not realize that the brother who was no more (Genesis 42:13) was the man before whom they were bowing.
Finally, the 9 remaining brothers begin their journey back. Simeon had been taken from them and bound before their eyes. (Genesis 41:24) He would remain in Egypt as a prisoner until they returned with Benjamin. The rationale seems to be that if these men lied about their family then they were lying about not being spies.
Blessings?
Joseph gave commanded that their sacks be filled and their money returned. The brothers did not realize this until they stopped to feed their donkeys. Though they correctly see this as an act of God they are afraid of what it might mean. Their hidden sin and their guilty conscience prevent them from enjoying God’s blessings.
So what do we take away from this story? I see in Joseph a man who is hurt and who longs to bless his brothers and his father. However, he seems torn, because what his brothers did to him could be considered unforgivable. He couldn’t simply forgive his brothers. Could he? They had to pay for what they did, they had to suffer somehow, right? Shouldn’t Joseph take this opportunity to teach his brothers a lesson? I wonder how many times Joseph imagined what it would be like if he ever saw his brothers again. I wonder how many times Joseph played different scenarios in his head. And now here his brothers were! And suddenly, I imagine him not being so sure about what to do.
What about you?
What is it like when you appear at a family reunion?
Have you wronged your brother? Have you offended your sister? Have you mistreated a family member?
Now would be a good opportunity for you to mend that relationship, for you to make things right.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 3:19 NKJV
Or perhaps you find yourself in a different boat. Perhaps you are the one who was offended, and you have not yet forgiven your sister, brother, family member. Perhaps you want the other person to suffer a bit. Perhaps you want the person to repent and show remorse, or perhaps you want the person to humble herself. But what if God is calling you to begin the healing process. What if God is calling you to reach out and begin the conversation and to extend the forgiveness first?
What if you are called to forgive not because of how the other person is behaving but rather because of how God has behaved towards you. That is to forgive not because the other person deserves it, but rather because God has forgiven you?
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
Do you want to be in heaven?
Do you want your sisters and brothers to be there with you?
Then be the one to initiate the reconciliation and let this be an opportunity for you to share the gospel with another.
