Gen. 43:19-3019And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: 21And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. 22And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. 23And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. 24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 25And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. 26And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 27And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? 28And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. 29And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. 30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (Genesis 43:19‑30)
Joseph’s brothers, bidden to dine in his house, were genuinely frightened at the thought of being in his presence. Their hearts had not yet shown a readiness to fully acknowledge their guilt concerning their brother, and they were far from God as they continued with this weight of evil upon them. Under such circumstances God would not grant them peace in the presence of Joseph.
Approaching the steward of the house, they recounted the events connected with their first trip into Egypt and the perplexing things that happened before they returned to their native land. To their surprise they heard him say: “Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks.” v. 23. “And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet.” v. 24. The steward’s reply disclosed to them that before they ever related their story he knew all about it. It is good for all to remember that the Word of God “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” Heb. 4: 12, 13.
Brought into Joseph’s house, they were treated with a kindness that they did not deserve. Joseph had so ordered in their behalf, his object being to eventually win their hearts to himself. The psalmist, dwelling on God’s ways of grace, could say: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him,” Psa. 103:10,1110He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (Psalm 103:10‑11).
“And when Joseph came horn they brought him the present whit was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.” v. 26. No doubt Joseph one more thought back on his boyhood dream: “And behold your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.” They then answered his inquiry as to the welfare of the father, little realizing his great personal concern and happiness to know that all was well with him.
Next, turning to Benjamin and looking for the first time in more than twenty years upon his true brother whom he loved so deeply, he could no longer hold back tears of affectionate emotion. His weeping, however, was done in the secret of his own chamber — the brothers unaware of the cause of his sudden departure from their presence. In this incident Joseph reminds us of the Lord Jesus, who, coming into Jerusalem as the Messiah amid the acclaim of some of the people, yet saw their hardened hearts and distance from God. “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41,4241And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (Luke 19:41‑42).
The barrier of guilt still stood between the brothers and Joseph. His identity was also “hid from their eyes” and his compassion toward them could not be openly shown.
ML 08/20/1967