Gen. 43

I. The Plea for Benjamin (vv. 1-14)

“And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.” (Genesis 43:8–9, ESV)

Judah’s turnaround is one example among many in Scripture of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

“Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.” (Genesis 43:11–12, ESV)

The more desperate the situation, the more risks you are willing to take in order to succeed.

When we are faced with a difficult position, what if we brought our family together and took the situation to the Lord together in prayer as a family?

In doing so, we are modeling true dependence on God

“Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”” (Genesis 43:13–14, ESV)

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:16–18, ESV)

The true prayer of faith is the prayer that puts the requests in God’s hand and trusts God for the outcome.

II. The Brothers Return to Egypt (vv. 15-23)

“So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”” (Genesis 43:15–22, ESV)

“…he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” (Genesis 43:18, ESV)

“He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.” (Genesis 43:23, ESV)

III. The Brothers With Joseph (vv. 24-34)

“And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.” (Genesis 43:24–28, ESV)

“And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!”” (Genesis 43:29, ESV)

“Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.” (Genesis 43:30, ESV)

“How can I give you up, O Ephraim?…My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.” (Hosea 11:8, ESV)

“Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.” (Genesis 43:31–32, ESV)

Joseph is hosting a meal for his brothers who 20 years ago sat down to a meal while Joseph pleaded for his life.

What an incredible picture of mercy!

“And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.” (Genesis 43:33–34, ESV)

The brothers came expecting judgment, maybe even death, but instead, they found grace!

Grace is realizing that God has given you something that you cannot earn, you do not deserve, and you can never pay back.

Instead of experiencing punishment for our sin, God in His grace, made a payment for our sin.

He wants to seat us at His table and give us grace upon grace if we will accept the free gift of salvation.

Grace is something you can never get on your own, but only be given.

Here’s the catch: this gift is only yours if you will reach out and accept it.

God can use anything for His glory.

God really can repair. He really can restore. God really can make things new.

Bowing down to Christ is the path of restoration.

This is the path of forgiveness and salvation.

Being restored does not take away what happened in the past.

There are still scars, but you experience hope and joy in the midst of the trails because you know that God is with you.