Gen. 43:15-1815And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. 17And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 18And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. (Genesis 43:15‑18)
“And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.” v. 15. Acting upon their father Jacob’s instructions, the brothers took gifts accumulated from their scanty supplies and with double their money, they headed again for Egypt. Most important of all, they took Benjamin with them. Had not the governor said: “Bring your youngest brother to me”? But the gifts in their hands only showed how they misjudged the heart of the one with whom they had to do. Their action expressed their confusion of mind as well as their hunger. Every action of Joseph, on the other hand, was a display of faithful love that would not be satisfied until God’s blessing could be poured out upon his brethren.
Surely Joseph must have anxiously awaited the return of his brethren and longed for the day when he would again look upon their faces, especially the face of his much-loved Benjamin. He would be anxious, too, to see what further work of conscience might have manifested itself in his hardened brothers since their first expression of remorse.
Joseph was at all times ready to receive his brethren in love and forgive them when their exercise of heart would do its needful work even though he well knew they would come to him only in their dire need. In this we are reminded of the grace of God, ever ready to receive back sinners who, like the prodigal, have turned their back on Him and spent long years in self-indulgence and sin, but who in their final need and distress look to Him, for mercy. “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth Exo. 34:66And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (Exodus 34:6).
Upon their arrival in Egypt Joseph made arrangements for hi brethren to dine with him. This was something they had not expected, “And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house.” v. 18. Without knowledge of who this powerful ruler was, they could not rightly interpret his invitation and thought it was a means of bringing them into judgment and bondage.
There is another One who now says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). Perhaps, dear reader, like Joseph’s brethren, you too have been afraid to accept this invitation, fearful that the exposure of your sins would only result in judgment? It is certainly a needful thing to have one’s heart laid bare before Him, acknowledging one’s wretchedness and helplessness. But when one casts himself upon the mercy and love of the One who gives this invitation, he will prove the precious truth of His assurance: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
ML 08/17/1967