Genesis 43-44 Lesson: Joseph's Test & Judah's Promise

Bible Study Series: The Life of Joseph

Genesis 43-44 Lesson: Joseph's Test & Judah's Promise

by I Gordon

When we left the story last time, Jacob was a broken man. But in a good way. Time, circumstances, Joseph and the hand of God all combined to apply pressure upon this ageing saint, causing him to relent and allow his beloved son Benjamin to go back down to Egypt with his brothers. Jacob died to his own will, saying 'if I am bereaved I am bereaved' and called on God Almighty to have compassion in the sight of Joseph. It was a beautiful scene. So that is where we left it. The brothers are now ready to make the journey back down to Egypt for the second time. They found this leader of Egypt quite unpredictable last time... what will happen this time? So in this study lesson we'll focus on the following:

• Joseph's response - what does Joseph's blessing of his brothers say to us as believers?
• Joseph's home - in ways does this picture heaven?
• Joseph's test - what was he trying to achieve and why does God test believers today?
• Judah's speech - why would one speech cause Joseph to break down and how do Judah's actions picture the Lord Jesus? 

We will pick up the story with the brothers leaving for Egypt and explore the remainder of chapters 43 and 44... so there is plenty to do! 

Joseph's blessing upon the worst of sinners   

Gen 43:15-18 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. (16) When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon." (17) The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house. (18) Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

Arriving in Egypt after a speedy trip, the brothers' anxiety levels are soon increased. You see upon arrival they are personally invited and escorted into Joseph's own house! 'Ok... What does this mean?' they thought. 'What's going on?' 'Is it because we got home and all our money was in our sacks?' It is fair to say that their fear is rising fast. 'Why does he wants to personally see us, in his own residence?' 'Last time we were supposed spies... and now are we to believe that we are pampered guests? Hmmm... It doesn't bode well!" So with a pricked conscience they fear the worst. In fact they are even worried about their donkeys! "Attack us, overpower us, enslave us if you must. But you mess with our donkeys, that's it, that's the last straw! You've crossed the line buddy!"

Gen 43:19-26 So they went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. (20) Please, sir, they said, "we came down here the first time to buy food. (21) But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver--the exact weight--in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. (22) We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don't know who put our silver in our sacks." (23) It's all right, he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them. (24) The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. (25) They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there. (26) When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.

So... how nervous were they? Well they only made it to the entrance of his house before they have given their side of the story concerning the money in their sacks! Though fearful of how they will be treated, yet they experience the opposite! Their feet are washed, Simeon is released and brought to them, a great feast is laid before them and, most import of all, their donkeys are fine and getting some TLC!¹ 

God's Riches of Grace to Believers

Now all of this is instructive for the believer. When we come to God, we come in the fear of the Lord yet find in return the most amazing grace. We are washed, blessed and given a feast of riches! In the language of the New Testament 'For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.' (Rom 5:10) So look at how these brothers of Joseph were treated, what they were told in this passage, and how it relates to the Christian life: 

1. 'Peace be with you' (NKJV) - and through God's grace we have peace with God (Rom 5:1) and the peace of God (Phil 4:7)
2. 'Do not be afraid' - This is stated 365 times in the Bible, once for each day of the year. It is Jesus' word to believers today (John 14:27) 
3. 'Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks' - And God has given the believer all the treasures in Christ Jesus! (Col 2:3)
4. 'Then he brought Simeon out to them' - The captives are set free in Christ Jesus! (John 8:35-36) 
5. 'So the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet' - And believers are washed with the word of God (Eph 5:26, Tit 3:5)
6. 'And he gave their donkeys feed' - And God's grace continues to give us provision for our journey through this life (Matt 6:31-32)
7. 'Gave them a seat at his table where they could eat bread with Joseph' - the most amazing grace of all... that we could sit at the Lord's table and with Him! (Matt 8:11, Rev 3:20-21) 

And so back to the story, what was the brother's response to this kindness they received? They presented gifts to Joseph and bowed before him. What are the little pistachios and almonds that you try to give to the Lord? Do you think Joseph wanted or needed them? And does the Lord? I would say not. There is nothing we can give the Lord for His incredible grace. But we can give ourselves as a response to His grace.² So what is left to do? Only as Joseph's brothers did when Joseph appeared - and that is to fall down at his feet in honor and worship! We should do that today and believe me, all believers will certainly be doing this when we come into His home! And again, what was it that Joseph really wanted from his brothers? Pistachios? Well, true... they are good! But what he really wanted was their hearts and fellowship once again. And the Lord wants your heart. And yet these brothers still needed to be tested. And Joseph had one such test in mind! 

Let the 'mind-messing' games begin!

Gen 43:27-34 He asked them how they were, and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?" (28) They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor. (29) As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son." (30) Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. (31) After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food." (32) They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. (33) The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. (34) When portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

So firstly note the raw emotion from Joseph. He loved his brothers and especially his full brother Benjamin. He hasn't seen him, or his father, for 22 years. He has been longing for this moment. Though Joseph was the ruler of Egypt under Pharaoh, he had a tender heart of love for his brothers - despite what they did to him! He just wants to bless them and fellowship with them, yet they still don't recognize him. This again points to Jesus' heart and love for His fellow Jews. He is the King of kings... yet has incredible love and grace towards any sinners that turn to Him. And while the Jews don't recognize Him yet, they will!

Now Joseph didn't eat with the Egyptians but nor did he eat with his Jewish brothers.³ You would think that this would get the brothers wondering who he was. 'Why is he not eating with the Egyptians?' 'Who is this leader?' Surely this got them thinking. And yet what seems obvious to us doesn't even seem to come into the mind of Joseph's brothers. They just couldn't see who this ruler of Egypt is! And it is the same with Jesus. What is obvious to those that know Him and know the prophecies, is kept from those of His Jewish brothers who have experienced 'a hardening in part'. Yet, as mentioned, while Jesus' Jewish brothers and sisters are for the most part blind to who the Messiah actually is, that revealing, like that of Joseph to his brothers, is not far away! 

Now Joseph does two interesting things in this passage. 

1. He first seats the brothers in order of their age. Talk about freak them out! You can imagine what they were thinking - 'What? He placed us in order of our age... How does he know this? What else does he know about us?' So what are the odds that he just got this right by chance? Well, we know the odds. 11 brothers place in order of their age through a random selection is 11 factorial. Or 1 in 39,916,800. Even if you could say that he knew Benjamin was the youngest it is still 10 factorial or 1 in 3,628,800. Either way... you can't get that pick right by chance! So it says that the men looked at each other in astonishment. You can imagine Joseph quietly watching and inwardly laughing as he sees their astonished faces! Joseph is so messing with them it is hilarious! But there is a spiritual point here as well - Jesus knows us all perfectly. Nothing surprises Him for He knows all. That's why He just requires our honesty. And this passage also points to how humanity were astonished with Jesus and marveled at Him⁴ (Matthew 8:27). 
2. Secondly, he gives Benjamin five times as much food as the others! Again, I can't help but see Joseph quietly chuckling at this but there is a far more serious point to it. How would the brothers react when the now favored son is treated better than they are? Joseph wants to know. Would they react as they did with Joseph? Were these the same brothers that hated him because he was favored? Or had they learned to be content in their own position and not let jealousy rule in their heart? This would be the first test concerning Benjamin but another, more difficult test involving Benjamin was coming. In like manner, God tests us. And as Adrian Rogers writes: "God does not flunk any of His children. He just re-enrolls them."

And now for the final test...

Gen 44:1-12 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack. (2) Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said. (3) As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. (4) They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil? (5) Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.' " (6) When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. (7) But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! (8) We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house? (9) If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves." (10) Very well, then, he said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame." (11) Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. (12) Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

So the brothers head off in great spirits. They have full bellies, full sacks and full of hope as they can't believe how this second trip has gone. But another test is not far away! Joseph had previously tested them by favoring Benjamin and giving him 5 times as much food as everyone else. How did they react when they saw the other 'favored son' of Joseph being treated better than they are? Well, they passed that test... but how would they go when that same son is found to have done something (supposedly) wrong? Would they stand with him or abandon him? And so as Joseph's steward catches up with them and accuses them of theft of Joseph's special cup⁵, you can imagine how their hearts would have sunk once again. Imagine how they were feeling as again they go from the first born, Reuben, to the youngest, Benjamin, and each sack is slowly opened and explored. The order of oldest to youngest is arranged to be packed with drama and as they search from person to person, the brothers are probably thinking 'don't be in my sack, don't be in my sack'... but also, 'please don't be in Benjamin's sack!' They remember their father Jacob's heart for Benjamin and how they promised to look after him. All of them would be thinking 'Oh please, don't be in Benjamin's sack!' And so they search through 10 sacks with incident but oh how their heart would have hit the floor on the 11th when it was found in Benjamin's sack!

Gen 44:13-17 At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city. (14) Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. (15) Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?" (16) What can we say to my lord? Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves--we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup." (17) But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace."

So it is now the turn of the brothers to tear their clothes, just as Jacob their father had done previously when informed, through their lie, that Joseph had died (Gen 37:34). But the test and pressure is on. They had previously been willing to betray Joseph and sell him into slavery, and then maintain a lie about it for 20+ years. They even repeated the lie many times to their own father. Had they changed? Had they learned? What is their response now? Remember - this is all planned by Joseph as he tests their hearts. They hated the first son of Rachel. Would they show compassion for her second son? Would they stand by or abandon Benjamin? This is the HUGE test Joseph is placing on them!

God's Tests

It is important to remember that God also tests His people. just as a quick overview: 

• Right from creation in the Garden: It started right in the garden where God placed the tree of life but also the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve had free will. Which would they choose?
• The father of Faith - Abraham: Gen 22:1-2 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." (2) Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
• The children of Israel in the Wilderness: Deu 8:2-3 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (3) So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
• Through false Prophets/Teachers: Deu 13:1-3 "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, (2) and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'--which you have not known--'and let us serve them,' (3) you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
• Every Generation: Jdg 3:1-3 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (2) (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it), (3) namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath.
• Jesus was tested in all things: Heb 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (15) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
• Christians are tested in this life for a purpose: 1Pe 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, (7) so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
• Christians at Bema seat of Christ: 1Co 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.
• The World will be tested: Rev 3:10 'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.'

Note that this final test of the world goes back to the first test, with just two options, two trees, Life or evil? Christ or Antichrist? God or Satan? There will be only two options in the tribulation. So choose this day whom you will serve!

Back to our story you will note that Judah said that God has found out their sin. Plural. That is, both Benjamin's and their sin! He was saying that Benjamin wasn't the only one guilty here. God had exposed them as well! They were finally acknowledging their sin. Bible says

Amo 6:3-6 Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, Who cause the seat of violence to come near; (4) Who lie on beds of ivory, Stretch out on your couches... But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

That is the test here. The brothers had lived like this for 20 years. But no more it seems. They were now acknowledging that God had found out their sin and a sense of grief for the affliction of Joseph is there.

He (Joseph) acted so as to bring their sin to remembrance, to make them confess it with their own lips . . . . His detention of Simeon, and afterwards of Benjamin, was skillfully designed so as to find out if they were still indifferent to the cries of a captive brother and the tears of a bereaved father. His plan succeeded admirably; his sternness and his kindness both conspired to disquiet them; and his goodness helped to lead them to repentance.
George Williams

Step up the forefather of the Messiah!

Gen 44:18-34 Then Judah went up to him and said: "Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. (19) My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?' (20) And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.' (21) Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.' (22) And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.' (23) But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.' (24) When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said. (25) Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.' (26) But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.' (27) Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. (28) One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces." And I have not seen him since. (29) If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.' (30) So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life, (31) sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. (32) Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!' (33) Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. (34) How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

This is a remarkable speech. Judah, though innocent in this case, was willing to take the place of Benjamin. He not only cares for Benjamin, he cares for his father. The contrast in how they dealt with Joseph and their father Jacob 22 years earlier couldn't be greater.⁶ Here Judah, speaking on behalf of the brothers, is willing to become a slave for life so that Benjamin can go free. It really is a remarkable and beautiful speech. 

Judah and the Surety for Humanity

Judah says 'For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.' This word 'surety' is 'āraḇ' - 'A verb meaning to exchange, to take as a pledge, to give as a pledge. This word denotes the action of giving a pledge or a guarantee (Gen 43:9)' Ruben had earlier tried to give the surety but that went down like a led balloon. It wasn't God's plan. It must be Judah that would offer himself for it is from Judah that the One who gave the surety for the entire world would come!

Again, Judah is the spokesman for the group, and any one of them would have offered himself. Joseph tests his brothers, and they all pass the test. Rather than to see Benjamin go into slavery, they are willing to take his place. My friend, later on in history there came One in the line of Judah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who bore the penalty for the guilty. "… God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom_5:8). Christ took the place of the guilty.
J. Vernon McGee

This reminds us what Jesus did for us:

Isa 53:4-6 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (6) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

Isa 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Note also that Judah explains to Joseph that this is all based on an agreement he made with his father that he would guarantee Benjamin's safety. This is again a wonderful pointer to the agreement, before the foundation of the world, that Jesus would be the surety for mankind! (1 Pet 1:20-22, Titus 1:1-3). 

Conclusion

So we have reached the pivotal point in the story. Joseph has set his tests. The brothers have responded. And now how would Joseph respond? That will be the focus of the next study but... spoiler alert... this speech of Judah's and willingness to lay his own life down for Benjamin, will deeply impact Joseph! In fact he won't be able to control himself or play this little game any longer!

But during this study we have seen other things for our own lives as well. We've seen how the blessing of Joseph upon his brothers, though they didn't deserve it yet, speaks of the incredible grace of God upon all who come to Him. We've seen that Joseph's home, with all it's peace and provision, gives a great reminder of the place that Jesus has prepared for those that love Him. A place totally separated from all the trials of this life. And we've seen both the types and purpose of tests in this life for believers. Like Joseph testing his brothers, we've seen that God's tests are for our good.

And finally we've seen that this story in the life of Joseph and his brothers is but a small picture of a greater story that is currently playing out on the world's scene. This is the prophetic picture were the trials and tests of our day are working upon the hearts of Jesus' Jewish brethren, leading to the day that they too finally acknowledge their guilt and recognize Jesus as the King!

God's word is amazing! It really is. So many layers and it is incredible that such a rich story from nearly 4000 years ago would be so relevant and speak to events happening today! But that is God, who declares the end from the beginning! And he has loaded Genesis, the book of beginnings, with so many pictures of the end!

God Bless.  

FOOTNOTES