Gen. 42:36-43:13
One thing was noticeably lacking in Jacob at this time. His feeble faith saw no trace of the hand of God in these circumstances. Occupied with his grief he failed to turn to Him, who has said: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50: 15. How much easier this time of trial would have been had he been listening to that voice, but, overwhelmed as he looked back over the years, he complained: “Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” v. 36. How different the language of faith which can say, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”
Reuben, aware that another trip must be made if they were to remain alive, sought in vain to persuade the father to send Benjamin with them, even pledging his two sons as surety. Jacob’s reply was, “My son shall not go down with you.”
But the famine persisted; the food from Egypt was consumed; the hunger of the people was great; and Jacob once more called on his sons to “Go again, buy us a little food.” Chap. 43:1. The loving, faithful hand of God was overruling all for His people’s good until they should come into His blessing through His own way. His was the government that kept the famine “sore in the land.” His the love that withheld all things of nature that would otherwise have satisfied them. The father, reminded that it would be useless to return unless Benjamin accompanied them, I still refused to yield. Judah the plainly told him: “If thou wilt not send him, we will not go down.” v. 5
Recalling that “Whatsoever things, were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Rom. 15:4), we have previously seen that Benjamin presents a type of the true Redeemer of Israel, to whom that nation must look in the coming time of tribulation if they are to be delivered out of distress. It is therefore of special interest that Jacob’s sons are now found insisting that they will not again ask for help unless Benjamin is with them. It is interesting to see this develop; first Reuben approaching the father and now Judah coming forth, saying: “I will be surety for him.” v. 9.
Under the circumstances Jacob was compelled to yield, although not yet sensing that God was over the entire scene. He was still (when left to himself) the old Jacob, scheming and devising ways of his own to pacify the one who had “made himself strange unto them.” His instructions were: “Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds: And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks.” vv. 11,12. How far short this fell in estimating the heart of “the governor of the land.” He had not asked for their presents. Was not all the wealth of Egypt at his disposal? No, his longing was to see his beloved Benjamin, to have his brethren restored to him, and to be reunited with his father. But there were lessons still to be learned before Joseph could reveal himself to them.
ML 08/06/1967