‘And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house and they spoke to him at the door of the house.’ Coming up to the great house they are filled with fear and as they approach the door they catch up with the steward and try to speak up on their own behalf, probably through an interpreter. read more
‘And said, “Oh my lord. We did indeed come down at the first time to buy food, and it happened that as we came to the lodging place that we opened our sacks and behold every man’s silver was in the mouth of his sack, our silver in full weight. And we have brought it again in our hand. And we have brought other silver down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks.” The brothers are trying to summarise the story as quickly as possible before they are brought into the... read more
‘And he said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” And he brought Simeon out to them.’ The reply suggests that the steward has been well coached by Joseph. He has been told exactly what to say when the obvious questions come up. “Peace be to you.” ‘Shalom’ - a standard greeting put in Hebrew form, possibly by the interpreter, although it may be that Joseph’s steward was familiar with their language and... read more
‘And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. And he gave their asses provender. And they made ready the present for when Joseph came at noon, for they learned that they would eat bread there.’ Suddenly, to their bewilderment, everything has changed. They are being treated as welcome guests. Water is provided for them to wash their feet. (The steward no doubt ‘brings’ it through servants). Their tired and thirsty asses are taken and well... read more
Genesis 43. The Brothers Return to Egypt with Benjamin.— It is generally held that this chapter is from J except for the references to Simeon in Genesis 43:14 and Genesis 43:23 b. According to J, Simeon seems to have played no special part, and there is not the same urgency for return as in E; the discussion as to Benjamin is postponed till the corn is spent. Genesis 42:38 perhaps originally stood after Genesis 43:2. In the conversation Judah takes the part taken by Reuben in E (as in the... read more
Peace be to you; no harm shall come to you for that matter. Your God, and the God of your father: thus he speaks, because Joseph had instructed him, as well as others of his family, in the true religion. Hath given you treasure, by his power and providence secretly putting it there. read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Genesis 43:23. I had your money.] Heb. “Your money came to me.” He means to tell them, “You cannot be called to account for the money, for I had it. Whatever became of it afterwards, I hereby acknowledge the receipt of it for the corn. You are credited with payment in full; therefore give yourselves no uneasiness on that score.”—(Bush.)—MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Genesis 43:19-25JOSEPH’S STEWARDThis incident shows how the spirit of Joseph’s character had been imparted to... read more
Chapter 43So that was it. But time went on. The famine continued and they used up all of the grain that they had purchased in Egypt.And so it came to pass, when they had eaten up the wheat which they had bought, their father said to them, Go on down and get us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly swear to us, saying, You're not going to even see my face, unless your brother is with you. Now if you will send our brother with us, we'll go down and buy the food:... read more
Genesis 43:14. If I be bereaved. The patriarch Jacob having at length consented to the second journey, discovered very great wisdom in the instructions he gave to his sons; nor were his piety and submission less in commending them to God, and suffering Benjamin to go. Genesis 43:23. Your God, and the God of your father. Joseph’s steward speaks in the character of an Egyptian, and conformably to the best theology of that ancient nation, the Egyptians having had the knowledge of the true... read more
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Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 43:16-34
Joseph a Type of Grace Genesis 43:16-34 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. Grace defined. There is a verse in Romans which reads: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." There is a verse in Revelation which reads, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins." Both of these Scriptures display God's love toward us while we were yet in sin, and utterly unworthy of His love. That is grace, Grace is Mercy to the unmerciful, Love to the unlovely. In Deuteronomy it is written, "The Lord did not... read more