Ep. 20. Genesis 42-44 | Joseph Guards his Family

EPISODE 20

JOSEPH GUARDS HIS FAMILY: GENESIS 42-44

Seven years of abundance have come and gone, and we pick up the story two years into the famine. If the years of abundance began immediately upon Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, then Joseph is 39. It has been at least 22 years since he has seen his family. But Jacob (Israel) learned there was food in Egypt and sent his ten oldest sons to buy grain. He kept Benjamin at home in safety so as not to lose the only other son Rachel bore for him. Remember, Jacob believes Joseph is dead. It is a little bothersome to me that Benjamin is always portrayed as a little boy in this story's children's bible version. In fact, by this time, Benjamin was a grown man with ten sons of his own. It is funny how we can get a picture in our heads from childhood and how that shapes our view of the story. (as a side note, I always pictured Daniel in the lion's den as a young man, but he was well over eighty when that took place)

Joseph's ten older brothers obey their father and go to Egypt. Joseph recognizes them right away, but they don't recognize him. In part because he didn't speak to them directly but through an interpreter. In part because he was dressed like an Egyptian. In part, perhaps, because they thought he was dead. When the ten stood before Joseph, they bowed down in his presence, thus unknowingly fulfilling the first dream of the sheaves of wheat.

Joseph treats them harshly and accuses them of being spies while inquiring about his father and brother Benjamin. He even throws them into prison for three days. It is undoubtedly the less noble side of Joseph. When he lets them go, he tells them he will keep one of them in prison until they return with their youngest brother. There will be no more food for them unless they bring the youngest. This is nothing other than an insurance policy so Joseph can set his eyes on Benjamin again.

When the brothers return home without Simeon, Jacob grieves deeply the supposed loss of his son. Eventually, the food runs out, and the brothers return with Benjamin in tow. Joseph prepares dinner for his family and arranges them from oldest to youngest. He shows special favor to Benjamin. Joseph pretends to let them go but manipulates the situation again, and there seems to be no reason other than his own pleasure. When Joseph has caused his brothers no small amount of duress, he decides it is time to reveal himself to them.

ADDITIONAL READING: Genesis 37: 5-8; Genesis 46:21