Work Toward Reconciliation - Genesis 43 to 46

My experience in the field of education included four years as teacher, four years as principal and twenty-nine years as Superintendent, all in public schools. During the expanse of the thirty-seven years one of the most troublesome problems was dealing with teachers, students and parents with broken relationships.

Human nature requires years to build strong relationships that require mutual trust and willingness to share. Even in the most stable of families there can always be problems; and in our society with so many broken homes the problem has grown in intensity. In order to prevent complete chaos in the smaller societies like the home, school or church there must be constant attention given toward reconciliation.

Because of doubts, fear, and distrust reconciliation of two or more adversaries or close friends is no easy task and it usually requires a third party to intervene and insist on some kind of compromise or an additional disaster or dire need to arise that forces one side or the other to seek reconciliation.

This is precisely what happened in Jacob’s family. Looking back to the close of Chapter 42 we find that Joseph did not trust his older brothers that he remembers as being heartlessly cruel in the way they had treated him. He wanted proof of some reconciliation on their part and he also wanted to be able to help his father and his younger brother in their dire need for food. He sold them the grain they needed and then returned their money by hiding it in the sacks of grain. He held Simeon in custody and demanded that they bring his little brother Benjamin back with them when they came to rescue Simeon. The chapter ends with Jacob’s refusal to trust his boys to carry out the deal that Joseph had made and he refused to budge until there was another greater need that forced him to reconsider. His grain supply was running low.

As we start the lesson today the first verse describes the need that had arisen. The famine was still severe in the land and Jacob had used all the grain that was purchased on the first trip to Egypt. Not only was he about to loose his live stock to starvation, but the family was also about out of the basic grain needed for human survival. Jacob directed the boys to make a second journey to Egypt to buy additional grain. They refused to go because of the conditions Joseph had established that demanded them to bring Benjamin with them when they returned to free Simeon.

The Bible has not said how much time had passed, but later we find that it had been two years since they made the first buy and Jacob [Israel] seemed to have forgotten that his boys were not to return without Benjamin. You must remember that neither Jacob nor his older sons knew that the man in charge of the granaries in Egypt was his son, Joseph. When they reminded him of the conditions set down by Joseph, he was leery again of their story and asked them how the man in Egypt even knew that there was a younger son in the family. Their explanation must have been somewhat convincing because he reluctantly agreed to go along with the deal.

Judah became the spokesman for the boys and assumed full responsibility for Benjamin’s return. Their condition had worsened and Judah explained that this was the only way for their father and all of their families to survive. It was a matter of life and death.

Jacob’s reaction proves that he wanted reconciliation with the man in Egypt because he directed that they take back the silver that had been returned and explain that it must have been a mistake…they did not steal the money; he also directed them to take additional silver to purchase the new load of grain.

Then to prove his caring attitude, he directed that they take some of the products that were produced locally and were still available from his land; such as a little balm, a little honey, some spices and myrrh and a few nuts. It is evident that these items were getting scarce, or the amount would have been more generous. This was an act of bartering because these were products that were very rare and expensive and not usually available in Egypt.

Jacob let them know that he was not completely happy with the idea of sending Benjamin as a hostage and that it grieved him greatly to be forced to let Benjamin go. We must read into this act more than barter, because the return of the money was a matter of integrity and honesty. This part of his trade sets an example for each of us today in that we should always be willing to return to others what they rightfully own and never take advantage of someone’s honest mistake. If a stranger should lose a great sum of money in your car or on your property…would you make an honest effort to see that it was returned to the owner? Assume that he did not know where he lost the money and did not seek to retrieve it would you keep it for your own use?

The second journey to Egypt hurriedly took place and Joseph noted that Benjamin was with them as they approached his king-like palace. He ordered that his brothers be taken to his house and that an animal be prepared for a feast to be shared with him at noon that day. They went as ordered, but were leery, even frightened when they were guided by guards to his home. They were expecting to be taken captive and accused of stealing the money that had been placed in their first trip grain bags. Do you see how we are so prone to hold on to our fears of others? It takes a lot more time to regain confidence than it does to lose it the first time.

In verses nineteen through thirty-two, you will find one of the most touching stories, a picture of a large family that has been broken, now approaching the gate of reconciliation. Joseph now knows all is well—even his aged father is still living and well—and he went to his own room and wept; he washed his face and returned to share his food with his brothers and his Egyptian staff that had prepared the meal.

Think about a comparison here with Jesus at Jerusalem. He said, “Oh Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem, how oft would I have comforted you…as a hen does her chicks, and you would not.” Joseph, no doubt, was thinking about how often he would have guided, befriended, and stood by his brothers…and they would not allow him to do so…they had rejected him and literally thought they had destroyed him…as Jerusalem rejected Christ and had him crucified.

There may be a comparison here between Joseph and Jesus, but we still see flaws in Joseph’s life that lets us know that he was not perfect. One sticks out in plain sight when the plates were served at the noon feast—it was the helping of food that appeared on Benjamin’s plate as compared to the others. Joseph arranged for five times more food to be served to his youngest brother…the one who was not involved in his boy-hood persecutions. He may have forgiven them…but he had not forgotten. When Christ forgives us—he also forgets our transgressions and removes our sins to the other side of the earth where they are not visible any more.
Remember that Joseph now knows each one involved…but they have not recognized him as their younger brother. When the feast is completed, the steward was ordered to load their animals with all the grain they could carry. Again, as before, all their silver was replaced in their bags…now they have three times as much as they brought the first time. THERE IS ONE BIG DIFFERENCE! Joseph ordered that his silver cup of divination be hidden along with the silver that was in Benjamin’s sack of grain. This was a premeditated trap set to catch and prove that the cup had been stolen from Joseph’s table after the meal.

[Divination refers to an object {cup in this case} that is used to foretell future events.] It must have been a practice used by Egyptians, because Joseph knew that his divine ability to look into the future or explain the meaning of dreams came directly from God.

The caravan of pack mules moved slowly away from Joseph’s palace headed home. Guards were ordered to overtake them and search the sacks of grain for the cup. They started with the oldest son, and did not find it until they came to the sack belonging to Benjamin. All the boys were returned to face Joseph and the charge of stealing the cup. They were contrite, bowed down to Joseph and submitted themselves to be his slaves. But Joseph said that only the one who stole the cup should remain as his slave and the rest were free to go.

They explained that all would be willing to stay if he would only let Benjamin go because if he did not return it would mean the death of their elderly father. Joseph finally believed that reconciliation had fully come to all the older boys, that they were really concerned about his father, and he broke down in great sobs of joyful tears, and told them who he was…Joseph, their long lost younger brother.

The very heart of this story about Jacob’s family is found in the 45th chapter. Joseph explained that God had been working through them even when they sold him into bondage. He told them not to feel condemned, and to realize that they had been a part of God’s plan. He explained that God knew the time of famine would come, and prepared the way for him to work his way into the leadership role in Egypt so he could save his father’s family from destruction. RECONCILIATION was now completed, and they were directed to go back to their father and explain what had happened. The family made plans to return so Jacob could see his lost son before he died.

Joseph sent the grain, all their silver and he sent extra animals and carts for the women and children to ride in their journey to Egypt. All appeared so perfectly planned that Jacob believed and cooperated as the family left their home and went to be cared for by God through the influence of their son and brother Joseph.

Have you lost everything? Have you suffered beyond what seems to be fair and deserved? Should you give up? NO! God has a plan for each of us and he will not fail to work his plan…all we need is FAITH TO BELIEVE THAT HE WILL.