And he overtook them ,.... Their asses being laden with corn could not travel very fast, and he and his attendants being mounted on swift horses: and he spake unto them these same words ; that Joseph had ordered him to say, and so what follows particularly, Genesis 44:10 . read more
Joseph's artifice to detain Benjamin, or the story of the silver goblet. I. JOSEPH 'S STRATAGEM ( Genesis 44:1-13 ). 1. The formation of the plot ( Genesis 44:1-5 ). 2. The execution of the plot ( Genesis 44:6-12 ). 3. The result of the plot ( Genesis 44:13-16 ). II. BENJAMIN 'S SENTENCE ( Genesis 44:17 ). 1. Exceedingly severe . He became a bondman. Remark upon the sadness of slavery, even when most mitigated. 2. Circumstantially... read more
Character built on faith. This chapter continues the same thread of Joseph's policy, and the same lessons are in it. I. PRACTICAL WISDOM THE FRUIT OF PIETY . The true man is the strong man. With a deep knowledge of the human heart, Joseph felt quite sure that the only way to move Jacob from Canaan was to detain Benjamin. II. THE SANCTITY OF THE AFFECTIONS . Real religion their only safeguard in the world's hardening and perverting influences. Joseph did apparent ... read more
And he ( i.e. the steward) overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. read more
- The Ten Brothers Were TestedJoseph has had the satisfaction of seeing his brother Benjamin safe and well. He has heard his brothers acknowledging their guilt concerning himself. He resolves to put their attachment to Benjamin, and the genuineness of their change of disposition, to a test that will at the same time expose Benjamin to no hazard.Genesis 44:1-5And my cup. - Besides returning each man’s money as before, a silver cup of Joseph’s is put in Benjamin’s bag, after which, when daylight... read more
Joseph and his brothers (42:1-45:28)When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (42:1-8). Rather than make himself known to them immediately, Joseph decided to test them to see if they had experienced any change of heart over the years. Joseph was not looking for revenge. His apparently harsh treatment of them, mixed with kindness, was designed to stir their consciences. They realized they were being punished for their unjust... read more
"And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this that in which my lord drinketh, whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.""And when they were gone out of the city ..." Willis said, "Unfortunately it is impossible to know what city in Egypt is... read more
6, 7. he overtook them, and he spake . . . these words—The steward's words must have come upon them like a thunderbolt, and one of their most predominant feelings must have been the humiliating and galling sense of being made so often objects of suspicion. Protesting their innocence, they invited a search. The challenge was accepted [Genesis 44:10; Genesis 44:11]. Beginning with the eldest, every sack was examined, and the cup being found in Benjamin's [Genesis 44:12], they all returned in an... read more
The brothers’ promise was not only rash but foolish since the contents of their sacks had surprised them previously (Genesis 44:9). Years earlier Laban had searched through Jacob’s possessions for his teraphim that remained hidden in Rachel’s tent. Jacob had rashly pronounced a death sentence on the guilty person (cf. Genesis 31:23; Genesis 31:25; Genesis 31:33; Genesis 31:35). Now the Egyptians searched for Joseph’s cup of divination and found it in the sack of Benjamin, Rachel’s son. The... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 44:1-17
Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself,... read more