Genesis Chapter 42

GENESIS

 CHAPTER

42

1 When Jacob learned that there was grain supplies in Egypt, said to his sons, 'Why do you keep staring at one another?

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 1)

Just as Joseph had predicted a famine did take place. The term 'whole world' might have meant the whole region including that of Canaan where Joseph and his family had been living and where Jacob his father still was. During moments of desolation and sin our resources will also be depleted and as in the case of Jacob's sons we end up staring at each other in a state of utter helplessness. However if we shift our focus on God we become motivated to face the problem and take the necessary action. The sons of Jacob were still facing the consequences of the wrong doing that they had done to their brother Joseph. They were facing a spiritual crisis.

2 I have heard, he said, 'that there is grain in Egypt: go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.'

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 2)

Jacob orders his children to get out of their passive state and do something practical about the situation at hand that conditioned their survival. On a spiritual level the same thing may happen. The evil one places us in a state of depression in relation to the situation and would like us to remain there so we lose faith in God. However God on the contrary does not wish us to remain in such a state and like Jacob motivates us to place our trust in Him and move on.

3. So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4. But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. 

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 3 to 4)

As in the case of Jacob we may respond positively to the will of God in the given situation, however we may propose our conditions and reservations, who accepted to send all his sons except Benjamin his youngest. One of the most important factors that my hinder us from obeying the will of God is that of fears and anxiety. Jacob may had still not recovered from the loss of Joseph, who was also the youngest of the household. Therefore he may have projected his fears on Benjamin and created an unhealthy shield of over protection in order to ensure the well being of his son Benjamin who psychologically prefigured his son Joseph.

5. Thus the sons of Israel were among the other people who came to buy grain,  for the famine had reached the land of Canaan.

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 5)

As a Christian Church and even those of other religions in times of crisis we are to refer to our point of origin that is God, from where we can recharge our spiritual and physical selves with the much needed resources during periods of spiritual crisis. Our greatest famine is that of God which supersedes all other needs. God is that person, who can understand us and give us the much needed comfort. 

6. Now Joseph, was governor over the land; it was he 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.

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 6)

As in Joseph's dream his brothers came before him and bowed down with their faces to the ground. As in our rituals of manifestation and respect towards humans we are also to show our respect to God. As humans we tend to be rude before God and humble in the presence of humans, however it is God who can genuinely love us and guide us in our ways.

7 When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?' he said. They said, 'From the land of Canaan to buy food" 8. Although Joseph had recognised his brothers, they did not recognise him. 

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 7 to 8)

On seeing his brothers Joseph treated them as if he would treat total strangers. He adopted this attitude in order to test them. Joseph asked his brothers a very important question, 'where do you come from?' or maybe who are you. On reflecting I imagine myself in the presence of God and also imagine my feelings if God had to treat me like a stranger and be indifferent to me, as if He did not know me. This would be very shocking indeed. It would be the saddest thing that ever happened to me. Even though I am a sinner I pray to you Jesus, that I may always form part of your inner circles, and never be a stranger to you.

9 Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed about them. He said to them, 'You are spies: you have come to see the nakedness of the land!"

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 9)

Joseph remembered, the dreams that he had dreamt of his brothers who would come and bow down before him, thus confirming that it was the will of God, that made this event possible. Joseph accused his brothers that they were spies sent to discover the weaknesses of the land. On reflecting we all have such weaknesses, however these areas of weakness are not to put us down, but we are to pray to God to turn them into strengths.

10. They said to him, "No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants have never been spies."

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 10 to 11)

On reflecting Joseph's brothers shared their intentions with him. They proved themselves to be true in their intentions. Although their intentions may have been fair, however Joseph was aware of their true potential towards evil. God is also aware of both our intentions and our actions.

12. But he said to them, "No you have come to see the nakedness of the land! 13 They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of a certain man in the land of Canaan; the youngest, however, is now with our father, and one is no more."

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 12 to 13)

Joseph's brothers still tried to prove that they were not spies.  and are sons of same father and tell him that the youngest brother is with their father and one have died. When Joseph placed them under pressure they revealed that they had another brother and they even mentioned the fact that they had another brother who had passed away, however they did not go into depth on the issue.

Joseph's brothers tried to justify their intentions. Justification by means of rationalisation is a tool that is being used quite often on both a scientific and social level and even on a spiritual level. There are some who even want to prove if God really exists or not. While playing Need for Speed World my favourite on line game, there was a driver who told the other that only Jesus could help him win this race. I felt the urge to intervene when I heard the name of Jesus being mentioned. The Holy Spirit in me motivated me to declare to this person that I love Jesus. The driver stated that he hated Jesus. Moreover the latter stated that Jesus was dead. I asked him to prove it. In order to justify his claim he said that Jesus  as a human could live up to the year 2014. I insisted that Jesus was not a human anymore but became God on rising from the dead, to which I was given no response. This person tried to use rationalisation to justify his claim, however God does not need anybody to justify Him and His existence. He is always with us close to us more than our own skin.

14. But Joseph said to them, "It is just as I have said to you; you are spies! 15 Here is how you shall be tested: as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here!

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 14 to 15)

In order to test his brothers Joseph kept on insisting that they were spies. Moreover he decided that they were to be tested in order to prove themselves. Due to His love for us God also puts us through tests in order to see if we still love him. During such moments God brings us face to face with our sinful reality that of being sinful humans. God helps us to stop, think and evaluate who we are and our objective in life, that is the salvation of our souls and that of others for we cannot be saved alone. 

16. Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies." 17. And he put them all together in prison for three days.

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 16 to 17)

Joseph then continues by saying that one of them may go but the rest if them would have to be detained in custody for three days. At times we have to go against our will and obey the will of others instead of our own. The three days in prison are like the three days Jesus spent in the tomb before He rose again.

18. On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God.

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 18)

On the third day Joseph had mercy on his brothers. It could be that He considered the negative  consequences that the delay of their return would have on their father.  Joseph was aware that he only wanted to test his brothers and not punish them for in reality Joseph was aware that his brothers were not really spies. 

19. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you shall go and carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me. Thus your words will be verified, and you shall not die!' And they agreed to do so. 

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 19 to 20)

Joseph had mercy on his brothers and made a concession with them, that they may leave one of their brothers stay in Egypt while the others may return back home taking their grain with them so that their family would not starve, as a consequence of the famine. Moreover they were bound to keep their part of the bargain in order to prove their innocence. God permits that we experience moments of tribulations, however He also gives us the opportunity to prove our real selves during such moments.

21. They said to one another, 'Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come home upon us."

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 21)

Joseph's brothers realised that they were being punished for what they had done to their brothers Joseph. Moreover they became aware that as they had ignored Joseph's pleas of mercy they were being treated in the same manner. On reflecting God is merciful in His ways but He is also just. In treating his brothers in this way Joseph was reflecting God in His ways of judgement.

During such moments of crisis we experience the voice of God that we call our conscience. This voice or the grace of God in us, makes us aware of our mistakes and the consequences that we had to endure in order to make amends for our wrong doings. 

22. Then Reuben answered them, 'Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 22)

Ruben then reminded them that when they were about to do harm to Jacob he was warning them and if he had listen to him they would not face this problem that they are facing now.

Just before we are about to sin there is always an inner voice in us that is send by god that tell us that no do not do it is always the last chance to avoid sinning but sometimes we listen and stop and later we realise what blunder we were about to do but sometimes we avoid the inner voice and sin and later we realise what mistake and feel guilt for it we have done as Reuben did the job of inner voice and his brothers had neglected it and have caused harm to Joseph now they realise what mistake they have done and recall that moment were Reuben had warned them.

23 They did not know that Joseph understood, because there was an interpreter between them.

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 23)

They were completely unaware of the fact that Joseph could understand them as there was an interpreter between them. As in the case of Joseph's brothers we are not aware that God can interpret the language of our soul, that yearns to be with God but is trapped inside this sinful and corrupt body. God interprets our verbal language in the sense that He is aware of our agendas and intentions. He is also aware of our non verbal language, which means what we say as in the Freudian slip, or our non verbal behaviour that we express by means of our body. God is able to interpret our every move. We are like an open book on a table before Him that He is able to read without difficulty.

24 He turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes. 

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 24)

(Joseph seeing the condition of his brothers and his family was sad and he took his moment and when he was able to speak again he choose Simon out of them to stay and had bound him.

This showed the human side of Joseph as he was betrayed by his brothers and he was currently punishing them for this act but he still cared for them and was sad seeing his brothers at such state. God also feel sad to punish us he is not happy when he see us sad for he really love us but sometimes tough decisions are made for our own good but he still cares and is sad seeing us getting punished.

The faith ,thrust, honesty with god act as an interpreter as the more thrust we place more faith we place and the more honest we be with god more closer we are to god as he never judge us by our appearance but by our nature and our goodness.

25 Joseph then gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them. 26 They loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed.

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 25 to 26)

Joseph then gave them everything they needed for their journey and enough grain for their family, and they were on their way back to their father. During the course of this life God gives us all the stock in graces, consolations and even desolations in order to help us on our pathway to our heavenly home.

27. When one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money at the top of his sack. 28 He said to his brothers, 'My money has been put back; here it is, in my sack!' At this they lost heart sank, and turned trembling to one another saying, "What is this that God has done to us?

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 27 to 28)

According to the author of this chapter at times, when we need something but we do not get exactly what we want, we feel a bit disappointed and question God;s reasons for this or that event to have taken place in our life. Our first reaction is to ask God, "Why did you let this happen" as if it is His fault that things ended up in this or that manner, without ever stopping to consider our part in the whole affair. When putting the blame on others we are being very irresponsible.

29. When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying 30. " The man, the lord of the land spoke harshly to us, and charged us with spying on the land. 31. But we said him, 'We are honest men, we are not spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of the our father; one is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.' 33 Then the man the lord of the land said to us, 'By this is I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine of your households and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me, and I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will release your brother to you and you may trade in the land." 35 As they were emptying their sacks,  there in each one's sack was his bag of money. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. 

(Genesis chapter 42 verses 29 to 35)

Upon retuning home to their father the sons of Jacob gave him, a full report of what had happened to them in the land of Egypt and of the consequences of their experience there which entailed that one of their brothers was left behind in Egypt and the youngest was required to go with them in order to free the latter. We can only imagine Jacob's feelings on being given this distressful news. Moreover on finding the bags of gold in their sacks Jacob may have become very sceptic about the truth of the situation and thus find reason to doubt the brothers and their account of their experience. This second experience that put the life of his youngest son at risk, may have reminded Jacob of the outcome of his other youngest son Joseph and may have stimulated more hurt and sorrow in him.

According to Mr. Deevain Ajit Pawar the author of this chapter;

"There are times were we are unaware of  the truth and for a long period of time we still remain unaware of the truth of a given situation, however on reflecting knowing this truth would cause more harm than good. As in the case of Jacob he was denied the truth of the nature of Joseph's disappearance as a consequence of his brother's jealousy and Jacob's personal preferential treatment towards Joseph, which was the spark that stimulated the bonfire, however which was according to God's plan for our salvation.

36 Then their father Jacob said to them, 'You are robbing me of my children; Joseph is no more; Simeon is no more; and now you want to take Benjamin. I bear the brunt of all this!'

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 36)

Jacob could not contain himself anymore he accused his children for the loss of Joseph and further more for putting his son Benjamin at risk. Astonishingly Jacob took the blame upon himself. As his father Isaac had shown preferential treatment between Jacob and Esau, Jacob had done the same mistake and gave preferential treatment to Joseph and now to Benjamin. Jacob became mature enough to claim responsibility for his actions.

37. Then Reuben said to his father, 'You may 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."

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 37)

Reuben then tries to assure Jacob that if he does not bring Benjamin back then Jacob may kill his both his sons. This is as bad as taking an oath on God. Reuben had no right to put at risk the lives of his sons. He was taking a big risk on the well being of his own sons and on that of his brother Benjamin.

38. But he said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead he alone is left. If harm should come to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to Sheol."

(Genesis chapter 42 verse 42)

Jacob still refused to permit Benjamin to go to Egypt with the brothers even though Reuben assured him  that if anything happen to Benjamin, he would  compensate Benjamin's life with that of his own sons. Today even though God assures us of his love, care and authenticity we still doubt Him and do not fully place our  trust in Him. As humans we  may still think that God is really on my side but on the other hand when the going gets tough we may start questioning his presence instead of trusting Him and being grateful for all the good workd He has done in our life.

The author of this chapter decided to end this chapter with the following prayer:

God thank you for being the my inner voice, and for stopping me from making mistakes. I would also thank you for making me realise my mistakes. You have always been my guide in my life and showed me the way. Sorry for ever doubting your ways and for trying to find the way on my own. I really thank you God for everything you have done in my life because I now realise that if you had never took those steps in my life, whether I liked or not I really would not know what would become of my life. 

 Thank you God

I would also like to include the following exhibit shared with the consent of Marcia Agacer a follower of this blog.

(Marcia Agacer)