Genesis 44:18-29 Judah's Story

"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.  My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father, or a brother?'  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.'

'Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down here so that I can see him for myself.'  And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.'  But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'  When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.

Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.'  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.'

Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.  One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces."  And I have not seen him since.  If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in misery.'

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, sees that the boy isn't there, he will die.  Your servants will bring the grey head of our father down to the grave in sorrow.  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!'

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.  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.' " (Genesis 44:18-34 NIV)
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Judah's impassioned plea is truly amazing.  He manages to tell the whole series of events in a concise way, and yet the tale is full of drama and emotion.  We see a new Judah here.  No longer is he the jealous brother of past years, greedy for gain at his brother's expense.  Now he is the protective leader of all of the brothers, selflessly willing to give his own life for the life of his youngest brother, and deeply concerned that his father will be able to live out his last days in peace.

Judah can tell by the strange expression on his listener's face that this Egyptian official is clearly moved by his speech.  However, I imagine that he is also somewhat frightened when that same official orders everybody else besides the brothers to clear the room. (Genesis 45:1)

Genesis 44:14-17 Joseph's Decree

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.  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?'

'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.'

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.'
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Joseph reacts sternly when the desperate brothers fall at his feet.  He seems to be claiming that he has used divination to reveal the guilty party and to track them down.  At first I wondered why Joseph would speak like this, for surely as a worshiper of God he wouldn't be using divination!  Then I realized that he was probably just playing the part of an enraged Egyptian official for the brothers' benefit.
 
Joseph's brothers are resigned to their fate.  They can not abandon their brother, and they believe that although they are innocent of stealing Joseph's cup, they are guilty of far worse things -- in particular, the death of their brother Joseph.  Somehow, in their minds, God is punishing them for that through their current distress.

Joseph plays the part of the prime minister of Egypt to full hilt.  He declares that only the 'guilty' party -- Benjamin -- will need to remain in Egypt as his slave.

To the brothers, the prospect of returning to their father without Benjamin must seem far worse than a lifetime of slavery in Egypt.

Genesis 44:10-13 Thief?

In their indignation at being falsely accused by Joseph's steward of taking his  master's silver cup from his house, Joseph's brothers had spoken rashly.  They declared that anyone found with the cup would be put to death and that the rest of them would become Joseph's slaves.

Shrewdly, the steward, who was in on at least part of Joseph's plan, pretended to hear a significantly different message:

" '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.'

Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.  Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest.  And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.  At this, they tore their clothes.  Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city."  (Genesis 44:10-13 NIV)
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Can you imagine the horror on the brothers' faces as they realized that the cup had been found in Benjamin's sack?  They probably didn't know what to think.  They had been so confident that none of them was a thief, yet now the cup had been found in their youngest brother's possession.  Had he taken it?  Had they been set up?  Was God punishing them for their past sins against Joseph?

I am not sure what the brothers were thinking, but no doubt one thought which kept returning to their minds was the fact that they would have to tell their father that they had not been able to protect the last of his deceased wife Rachel's sons.  No wonder they tore their clothes.  This was a sign of great distress.

Remarkably, although the steward had said that only the thief would be enslaved, the whole group of brothers troop back to Joseph's house.  Perhaps because they are older now, probably most with children of their own, they take a much more responsible attitude toward Benjamin's predicament than they had taken with Joseph.  

Genesis 44:1-9 Falsely Accused

"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.  Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest ones's sack, along with the silver for his grain.'  And he did as Joseph said.

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.  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?  Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination?  This is a wicked thing you have done." '

When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.  But they said to him, 'Why does my lord say such things?  Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!  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?  If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves.' "  (Genesis 44:1-9 NIV)

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Joseph is apparently setting up a reason to bring his brothers back to his home.  This is actually just a part of a larger plan to test his brothers.

The brothers are understandably upset at this accusation.  We are not told which one of the brothers indignantly said that if any of them had stolen the cup, they would be put to death and the rest enslaved, but it seemed as though all of the brothers agreed with this rather rash statement.

Fortunately, in this case, the steward was acting in their best interests. 

Genesis 43:24-34 Lunch at Joseph's

"The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.  They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat  there.

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.  He asked them how they were, and then he said, 'How is your aged father you told me about?  Is he still living?'  They replied, 'Your servant our father is still alive and well.'  And they bowed low to pay him honor."

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.'  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.

After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, 'Serve the food.' (Genesis 43:24-31 NIV)

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.  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.  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."
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Joseph's steward took care of the brothers, allowing them to wash up before dinner and providing food for their donkeys as well.  When Joseph arrives, they present their carefully arranged gifts and bow low to pay him honor.  (Once more they are fulfilling Joseph's dream about how his brothers would one day bow before him.)  After exchanging pleasantries, Joseph inquires about his father.  I imagine he must have been greatly relieved to hear that his father was still alive.

As for Benjamin, when Joseph finally gets a good look at him, he is overcome by emotion and has to hurry out of the room, or his brothers will wonder why this great man is standing before them weeping.  After controlling himself and washing away any traces of the tears, he returns to the table and lunch begins.

It is a nice touch that Joseph arranges his brothers around their table in the order of their birth.  Can't you just picture the look on the faces of the astonished brothers?  How did this great man know enough about them to seat them in this way?  I picture Joseph sternly concentrating upon his food so as to keep himself from laughing out loud at the questioning looks they were no doubt casting in his direction.

When Joseph sent Benjamin five times more food than the other brothers, I wondered if he was unaware that this might cause further jealousy between the brothers.  Then I realized that Joseph may have been deliberately provoking them a bit, in order to see if they are still resentful like they had been long ago when his father had given him a special coat.  No reaction from the brothers is recorded.  Apparently they were well satisfied with their own portions.  After all, it had probably been a long time since they had eaten such rich food in such quantities!

Genesis 43:15-23 Let's Do Lunch

"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.  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.'  The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house.  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.' " (Genesis 43:15-18 NIV)

Don't you feel just a bit sorry for these guilt-ridden men?  They imagine themselves soon attacked, overpowered, enslaved and robbed?!  Joseph has invited them to 'do lunch' with him and all that they can think about is how this situation is going to turn out badly.  Of course it would be a bit intimidating to be taken to this great man's house, even if they had not been conscious of their own past sins.  Immediately they start trying to do damage control on any possible accusations which might arise:

"So they went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.  'Please sir,' they said, 'we came down here the first time to buy food.  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.  We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food.  We don't know who put our silver in our sacks.'

'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."  (Genesis 43:19-23 NIV)

Despite the brothers' frantic explanation, the steward calmly assures them that all is well.  He has received their payment.  The steward's conclusion -- that God has given them this silver -- is interesting.  Apparently Joseph has spoken to his household about this God he serves.

True to his word, Joseph has the steward bring Simeon out to the brothers when he sees that Benjamin has indeed arrived along with the rest of his brothers.  Now all they have to do is to survive through lunch, and then they can be on their way back to Canaan with the life-saving supplies of food for their families.

Genesis 43:11-14 Jacob Lets Benjamin Go to Egypt

"Then their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be, then do this:  Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift -- a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.  Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.  Perhaps it was a mistake.  Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.  And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.  As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.' " (Genesis 43:11-14 NIV)
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I noticed that Jacob is called 'Israel' in this portion of Scripture.  This is the name which God had given him after his wrestling match with God .  I am not sure if there is any significance as to whether either name is used, but it is interesting that as Jacob lets go of some of his fearfulness and acts as the godly patriarch of this family, the text refers to him as 'Israel'.

At any rate, Jacob/Israel seems to have realized that the time for complaining and fearfulness is over.  He instructs his sons to take some of  the special products of Canaan with them as a gift to soften the heart of the Egyptian official.  He allows the brothers to take Benjamin along, and tells them to leave at once.  Israel is resigned to whatever happens; he prays that God Almighty,  the One who had appeared to him a Bethel and watched over him in all his own travels and troubles, would grant them success in their journey.

The brothers are on their way to Egypt at last.

Genesis 43:8-10 Judah Steps Up

"Then Judah said to Israel his father, 'Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.  I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him.  If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.  As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.' " (Genesis 43:8-10 NIV)
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I love this portion of Scripture for several reasons:

1. Judah steps up to the plate and takes leadership in a situation which has stalled and has become critical. (they had eaten all their grain!-v.1)  This is especially significant because (although Jacob doesn't know it) it had been Judah's idea to sell Joseph into slavery in the first place.
2. Judah reminds his father that the survival of the entire family depends upon taking immediate action.  If they have eaten all their supplies, it is evident that Jacob has been unwilling to make a decision up until now.
3. Judah assumes personal responsibility for Benjamin.  It's just the right thing to do.  No nonsense about 'you can kill my sons if I fail' like Reuben gave (for Jacob would never kill his grandsons anyway).  Judah just puts himself out there.
4. It's interesting that this fourth son of Jacob rises to prominence in the family affairs.  Normally he would have been expected to play only a supporting role, but in the wisdom and plan of God, Judah will be the son whose family line will lead to the Messiah.
5. I love the bickering.(v.10).  Oddly, it serves to reinforce the idea of the accuracy of the Biblical text.  Otherwise who else would include such family squabbling?!  

Genesis 43:1-7 Contemplating a Return to Egypt

"Now the famine was still severe in the land.  So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, 'Go back and buy us a little more food.'  But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'  If you send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.  But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.' "

Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"

They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family.  'Is your father still living?' he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?'  We simply answered his questions.  How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"  (Genesis 43:1-7 NIV)
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Jacob is now in a dilemma.  Their food is just about used up, yet the brothers will not go back down to Egypt unless Benjamin is allowed to go with them.  Joseph had strongly impressed upon them that he would not allow further trade or even talk with them unless they brought their brother to him.  If Jacob allows Benjamin to go, he may come to harm.  However, if Jacob does not allow Benjamin to go, the entire household (Benjamin included) may eventually starve to death.

In frustration, Jacob wonders aloud why they have revealed so much about the family.  The brothers reply that they were simply answering the man's detailed questions.  They never thought that this would result in Joseph insisting upon seeing their youngest brother as proof of their innocence!

[By the way, Joseph's stern warning that he would not speak with the brothers again unless they had Benjamin with them was a brilliant move.  Knowing that the famine would continue for seven years, Joseph figured that the brothers were eventually going to need more supplies of grain.  This may be the only way that Joseph will get to see his brother again, so he sternly warns them not to return without their brother.  By refusing to see them unless Benjamin is present, Joseph nearly guarantees that he will see Benjamin.  At the same time, by making Benjamin the necessary key to their own survival, Joseph also protects his brother from the other brothers' unpredictable behavior.  If they need Benjamin to appear before Joseph, they are unlikely to harm him in any way in the meanwhile.  In this way, Joseph gets to see Benjamin, the younger brother is protected, and the brothers' good behavior is assured, even though Joseph himself cannot be there to watch over his younger brother.]

Genesis 42:29-38 Jacob's Sons Report from Egypt

"When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them.  They said, 'The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land.  But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.  We were twelve brothers, sons of one father.  One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.'

"Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men:  Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.  But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.  Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.' "

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver!  When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.  Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my children.  Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin.  Everything is against me!" (Genesis 42:29-36 NIV)
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After his sons tell Jacob about their trip to Egypt, they begin emptying their sacks.  When they find that all of their silver has been returned, they are frightened.  Why would they be frightened?  Well, one thought that occurred to me was this:

I do not know if this is something that happens in nearly every culture, but around here, if a person tries to buy something from a very close friend, at times the friend will refuse the payment and say, in a jesting tone of voice, 'Your money is no good here.'  This is meant to convey the thought that because of the special relationship between the two parties, no payment is needed -- the owner will cover the cost as a favor.  Well, I think that the returning of the brothers' silver was something like that.  Joseph covered their costs because they were his brothers and because he knew they were going through difficult times during the famine.  Perhaps he even enjoyed giving them a hint of his relationship to them.  However, it seemed as though the brothers took his generosity in exactly the opposite fashion, as though Joseph were saying that he would not even accept money from such persons as themselves.  Instead of generosity, they saw a possible insult, and wondered at the potential for danger and harm to themselves.  I am sure we all have seen how sin can distort and destroy relationships because of these types of false conclusions.

Speaking of false conclusions, Jacob's reaction is somewhat overboard.  He is dismayed at the latest turn of events, and sees only the possibility of evil results:  Joseph is gone, and Simeon is gone, and now they want to take Benjamin so that he can be gone, too?!

It is interesting that Jacob already seems to believe that Simeon is probably lost to him.  Things certainly did not look promising for Simeon's release, for Jacob would never be willing to trade Benjamin's life for Simeon's.  Also, pharaohs, like other types of rulers, could be capricious about whether prisoners, especially suspected spies, would live or die.  However, God had revealed Himself to Jacob several times, and delivered him from danger in the past, so why should Jacob have absolutely no confidence that God could do the same for his sons?  Why does he believe, as he says, ...'Everything is against me!'?  Perhaps it is only Jacob's initial reaction to his sons' troubling news, but for the moment, Jacob is very upset.

"Then Reuben said to his father, 'You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you.  Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.'

But Jacob said, 'My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left.  If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in sorrow.' "  (Genesis 42:37-38 NIV)

Although Reuben's offer seems sincere, there is something revealing about how it will be his sons, instead of himself, who will suffer any consequences of his actions.  It would, of course, be a great loss for Reuben if his sons were killed, but in a way, it would bring no loss to his own person -- others would suffer if there were any lapses in his care over his brother Benjamin.  Besides, Reuben had already proven himself to be untrustworthy, in that he had slept with his father's wife, Bilhah.  There was no way that Jacob would entrust him with Benjamin.

Speaking of Benjamin, it is also rather sad that Jacob seems to have little regard for his other son, Simeon, who is now imprisoned in Egypt.  Now Simeon had also made foolish choices in the past:  He and Levi had deceived and slaughtered the men of Shechem.  However, I don't believe that is why Jacob seems resigned to losing Simeon.  Jacob has his favorite son, Benjamin, and that is all that seems to matter to him.  He considers Simeon a lost cause at this point, and refers to Benjamin as 'the only one left' (v.38), although his other sons are probably standing right there around him.  Of course, Jacob means that Benjamin is the only son left of his beloved wife Rachel, for Joseph is apparently dead.  To the brothers, though, it must seem as though they are not really in the equation at all.

Genesis 42:24-28 Return Guilt Trip

Joseph has been listening as his brothers discuss their current situation.  He hears that Reuben had tried to save his life on that day long ago when the rest of his brothers sold him into slavery.  (Genesis 37:21-22,29)  Now Joseph turns away from them for a moment.  Whether is is from relief that at least one of his brothers had stood up for him, or whether it is from the memory of that life-changing day or all that he has endured since, Joseph is momentarily overcome by emotion:

"He turned away from them and began to weep,

but then turned back and spoke to them again.

He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain,

to put each man's silver back in his sack,

and to give them provisions for their journey.

After this was done for them,

they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left."

(Genesis 42:2-26 NIV)

Joseph takes Simeon from the brothers as a hostage.  Although Reuben is the oldest, he is not chosen.  Perhaps Joseph spares him because Reuben had saved his life, and had intended to aid his release.  Instead, Simeon is chosen to remain behind.

The brothers do not give Joseph any time to change his mind.  Greatly relieved that they have obtained grain and escaped with their lives, they begin to return home.  The vision of Simeon being bound before their eyes helps to speed them on their way, as does the thoughts of their hungry families waiting back in Canaan.

However, that night, the brothers are shaken by a further development:

"At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.  'My silver has been returned,' he said to his brothers.  'Here it is in my sack.'  Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, 'What is it that God has done to us?'

The brothers' guilt has become overwhelming.  Every event is colored by their unconfessed sin.  They see even the blessing of their returned silver as an ominous sign of God's displeasure.

Genesis 42:18-24 Return Plan

Joseph had told his brothers that their words would be tested by releasing one of the brothers to return home and bring back their youngest brother.  Meanwhile, the rest of the brothers would remain in custody until his return.  Now, after three days, Joseph's instructions have changed:

"On the third day, Joseph said to them, 'Do this and you will live,
for I fear God:

If you are honest men, let one of your brothers
stay here in prison,

while the rest of you go
and take grain back for your starving households.

But you must bring your youngest brother to me,

so that your words may be verified,
and that you may not die.'

This they proceeded to do."

(Genesis 42:18-20 NIV)

Whether Joseph at first actually intended to only allow one brother to return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin, or whether the whole procedure was a test to put them under stress in order to determine their true attitude toward each other, their father, and Benjamin is not stated.  However, to the brothers, it appears that Joseph has relented and decided to allow all but one of them to return home with grain for their families.  While preparations are made toward that end, the brothers begin to discuss the current situation:

"They said to one another,
'Surely we are being punished because of our brother.

We saw how distressed he was
when he pleaded with us for his life, 

but we would not listen;

that's why this distress has come upon us.'

Reuben replied, 'Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy?

But you wouldn't listen!

Now we must give an accounting for his blood.'

They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, 

since he was using an interpreter." 

(Genesis 42:21-23 NIV)

Unknown to the brothers, Joseph was listening in on their every word.  He had probably dismissed the interpreter from the room for a moment, for the brothers seem to be speaking freely among themselves.  This gives Joseph a glimpse into their hearts, and it also gives us further details into what happened on that day long ago when the brothers sold Joseph into slavery.  Apparently Joseph had pleaded for his life, and was greatly distressed, yet they had ignored his pleas.  Now it seemed to the men that God was punishing them for their hard-hearted treatment of their brother.

It is amazing that this is the first conclusion which pops into their minds simultaneously.  Although many years have gone by, the memory of their sin toward their brother had continued to remain in their minds.  Also, from these verses we see that they do think that Joseph is dead, for they believe that they are being called to account for his death. (v.22)  

Genesis 42:8-17 Joseph Questions His Brothers

"Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.  Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, 'You are spies!  You have come to see where our land is unprotected.'

'No, my lord,' they answered.  'Your servants have come to buy food.  We are all the sons of one man.  Your servants are honest men, not spies.'

'No!' he said to them.  'You have come to see where our land is unprotected.'

But they replied, 'Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.  The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.'

Joseph said to them, 'It is just as I told you:  You are spies!  And this is how you will be tested:  As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.  Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.  If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!'

And he put them all in custody for three days."  (Genesis 42:8-17 NIV)
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Joseph treated his brothers as though he believed they were spies.  His continued questioning draws more information out of them:  they speak of their brother who is left at home and another one who they believe 'is no more'.

I thought about how Joseph must have felt at this point.  His brothers believed that he was dead, either because that was the official story they had told their father, or because they assumed that he probably would not have survived long as a slave.  Either way, it seems as though they had never repented of their actions, or sought to find him.  Instead, they had callously left him in what they knew could be a deadly or at best a tremendously difficult situation for many years.  They did not know that he had suffered in prison, but they certainly had been hard-hearted to abandon him to slavery for so long in order to cover up their own jealousy, hatred and greed.

Genesis 42:6-7 Joseph's Brothers Bow Before Him

When the ten brothers arrive in Egypt, they go to the governor of the land in order to buy grain.  Unknown to them, it is their brother Joseph -- the one they had sold into slavery -- who is standing before them:

"Now Joseph was the governor of the land,
the one who sold grain to all its people.

So when Joseph's brothers arrived,
they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them,

but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.

'Where do you come from?' he asked.

'From the land of Canaan,' they replied, 'to buy food.' "

(Genesis 42:6-7 NIV)

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The brothers bow before Joseph, for they wish to show respect for this man who has the power to grant or deny their request for food.  This is no small matter.  Their lives and the lives of their households depend upon them being able to obtain grain.

Joseph immediately recognizes his brothers.  He is among the youngest of Jacob's sons, so his brothers may have already been mature young men when he last saw them.  In contrast, Joseph had been a teenager when they sold him into slavery, so he looked very differently than the Joseph they remembered.  Also, Joseph would be clean-shaven and dressed in the manner of a well-to-do Egyptian official, the second in command under Pharaoh.  The brothers would never dream of finding Joseph in that position.

Later, we find out that Joseph was using an interpreter to speak with his Hebrew visitors. (Genesis 42:23)  He pretends that they are strangers, and, as the ruler of Egypt, he is concerned that they explain their presence there.  The brothers assure him that their intentions are honest; they are merely seeking relief from the famine.

Genesis 42:1-5 Jacob Directs His Sons Toward Egypt

"When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, 'Why do you just keep looking at each other?'  He continued, 'I have heard that there is grain in Egypt.  Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.'

Then ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.  But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.  So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also."  (Genesis 42:1-5 NIV)

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I can't help but smile when I read this part of the passage.  Jacob seems like the stereotypical cranky, old Dad here, directing somewhat hesitant sons into action.  He explains that the grain which they need in order to survive is available in Egypt, so what are they waiting for?

Jacob send his sons off to buy grain, but he does not send Benjamin with them.  Things had not worked out very well the last time he had entrusted one of his sons through Rachel into their care.  He is definitely not willing to trust them with his last remaining son from Rachel, Benjamin.

Perhaps, too, Jacob had been somewhat suspicious when the brothers had reported that Joseph had seemingly been killed by a wild animal.  Jacob knew that his sons had hated Joseph because they were jealous.  Perhaps somewhere deep inside, Jacob wondered if the brothers were responsible for Joseph's disappearance.  At any rate, Benjamin would not go with the brothers to Egypt.

Genesis 41:53-57 Joseph's Plan Blesses Egypt and the Nations

"The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said.  There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.  When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food.  Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, 'Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.' " (Genesis 41:53-55 NIV)

Joseph had predicted seven years of famine which would follow the seven years of abundance, and this time, too, his words proved to be true.  At first the famine did not seem to affect Egypt (v.54), but eventually even the land of Egypt began to feel the effects of famine.  When the Egyptians cried to Pharaoh for food, he directed them to Joseph and told them to obey whatever he told them to do.

"When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.  And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world." (Genesis 41:56-57 NIV)

It must have seemed strange to the Egyptians to experience such a famine, for they had always depended upon the Nile for a reliable source of water, and its yearly deposits of soil usually helped ensure a good harvest.  Now the people had to buy grain from Joseph. 

People from the surrounding nations also came to buy grain.  Joseph the Israelite is the conduit for blessings upon many nations, just as God had originally told Abraham his descendants would be.  (Genesis 12:3)

Genesis 41:50-52 Joseph is Blessed with Two Sons

"Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.  Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.'  The second son he named Ephraim and said, 'It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.' " (Genesis 41:50-52 NIV)
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During the seven years of abundance, Joseph was given two sons.  Manasseh's name sounds like the Hebrew word for 'forget', and Ephraim's name sounds like the Hebrew for 'twice fruitful'.  It seems like Joseph has not completely forgotten about his Hebrew background.

We will hear a lot more about these sons as the story of this family, and the Hebrew people, continues.

                    

Genesis 41:46-49 Pre-Famine Prep

"Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  And Joseph went out from Pharaoh's presence and traveled throughout Egypt.  During the seven years of abundance, the land produced plentifully.  Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities.  In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it.  Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure."  (Genesis 41:46-49 NIV)

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Some observations:

1)  Joseph had been seventeen when he was sold by his brothers. (Genesis 37:2)  so he had been serving Potipar and then serving while in prison for a total of thirteen years.

2)  Joseph traveled about Egypt, overseeing the storing of food.  He stored the grain in the cities next to the fields where it had been produced.  This was wise for several reasons.

• It would be more acceptable for the people to give the fifth of their crops to Pharaoh if they saw that it was stored nearby in case they needed it.  Of course, it was no longer owned by them, but at least it would be available to buy.  This lessened the chance of panic or food riots during the famine ahead.
• Storing the food near the cities eliminated having to transport it elsewhere, and eliminated the possibility of the supplies becoming 'lost' while in transport.

3)  The part of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream which predicted great
abundance came true.

• 'seven years of abundance' (v.47)
• 'the land produced plentifully' (v.47)
• 'huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea....he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.' (v.49)

4)  God was continuing to keep His promise regarding how all nations would be blessed
through the descendants of Abraham.

Genesis 41:44-45 New Name, New Wife, New Life

"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.'  Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife.  And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt."  (Genesis 41:44-45 NIV)

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Potiphar repeats the fact that although he will remain the Pharaoh, Joseph will have power over every other individual in the land of Egypt.  Potiphar has already given Joseph several tokens of this transfer of power:  his signet ring, robes and a gold chain.  Now he gives him a new name, to indicate his new position.  Pharaoh also gives Joseph a wife!

First, about Joseph's new name:  We can easily grasp the concept of Joseph being given a new name to signify the change which has come about in his life.  Besides, at that time, when the Pharaoh gave you a new name, I am pretty sure that the correct response was something like 'Thank you very much, Pharaoh, sir', because nobody had the privilege of arguing with him about his decisions.

The only problem I have with this fact is that no one can seem to agree about just what this new name -- Zaphenath Paneah -- really means.  The NIV Study Bible merely says that the meaning of Joseph's name is uncertain.  Other commentators take a stab at a translation:

• "a revealer of secrets" -- (Wesley, Matthew Henry -- who also notes that some translate it as "'the savior of the world'')

• "the savior of the world" -- (Jerome --although some call this translation 'arbitrary' or 'a gloss'.

Now, about Joseph's new wife, Asenath:

I used to wonder why Joseph would have agreed to marry this Egyptian daughter of a
priest of the city of On.  The Greeks called this city 'Heliopolis' (city of the sun), which was appropriate, because the city was a center for the worship of the sun god, Ra.  In fact, Joseph's new father-in-law's name (Potiphera) meant "He whom Ra has given".  Joseph's wife's name (Asenath) meant 'She belongs to (the goddess) Neith'.  Why has Joseph agreed to marry into the family of those who have apparently worshipped Ra for generations?!  (Potiphera was likely to have been named in honor of  Ra by his parents; so I presume that they, too, must have worshipped Ra.)

Well, I finally have come upon a reasonable explanation.  It was in a commentary on Genesis 41 found here.  The part which is relevant to this post is found in the paragraph entitled "A Promotion by Pharaoh (41:37-45)"  Basically,the author brings up several points:

• Where else could Joseph obtain a godly wife? His brothers had tried to kill him, and as for Great-Uncle Laban, well, ...?
• God had not specifically forbidden marriage to any but Canaanites, and even that came after Joseph's time.  (Deuteronomy 20:17-18) 
• Israelites were permitted to marry captives, after a period of mourning had passed, if they were not Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 21:10-13) [Of course, Joseph's wife had not been a captive, but the principle of marrying foreigners was not forbidden, and we can pretty well assume these women were not God-fearers already, for the most part.]

I still have some questions, but this explanation helps.
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On a lighter note, since Joseph is now in charge of all the people of Egypt, how do you think his first meeting with his former master Potipher, and Potipher's devious wife, would have gone?  Fortunately for them, Joseph was not one to seek his own revenge.  I would have loved to have seen the expression on their faces, though!

Also, Potipher (Joseph's former master) is not the same man as Potiphera (Joseph's new father-in-law).  I know, I wondered about that, too, because of the similarity of their names.

Genesis 41:37-43 Joseph in Charge of Egypt

"The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.  So Pharaoh asked them, 'Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?'  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.  You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.  Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.' " (Genesis 41:37-40 NIV)

Pharaoh could think of no one else who would be better equipped to carry out Joseph's plan than Joseph himself.  It seems that Pharaoh understood that Joseph's wisdom came from God.

Again, it seems amazing that Pharaoh would entrust such power into the hands of a foreigner.  The one who had been in charge of the captain of the guard's household now found himself in charge of the Pharaoh's palace, and the former prisoner now found himself exercising control over all of Pharaoh's people:

"So Pharaoh said to Joseph,

'I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.'

Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger
and put it on Joesph's finger.

He dressed him in robes of fine linen
and put a gold chain around his neck.

He had him ride in his chariot
 as his second-in-command,

and men shouted before him, "Make way!"

Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt."

(Genesis 41:41-43 NIV)

Genesis 41:33-36 Joseph's Plan for Egypt

After interpreting the Egyptian Pharaoh's dream, Joseph gives advice regarding the course of action which he believes the Pharaoh should take.  I do not know how Pharaoh's court operated, but Joseph's boldness seems unusual.  I do not think that people generally told the Pharaoh what they thought he should do unless he asked them for suggestions!

I think that Joseph's humility and focus upon God paved the way for his plan to be well-received by Pharaoh.  It was obvious that Joseph was trying to help, not to take over the Pharaoh's authority in any way.

Pharaoh's concern about the meaning of his dreams also helped to focus his attention upon Joseph's solution:

"And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.  Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.  They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.  This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country will not be ruined by the famine."  (Genesis 41:33-36 NIV)

Joseph's plan to store up one fifth of the harvest during the seven abundant years was a reasonable one.  He wisely suggests that the food be kept in the cities from which it had been harvested. (v.35)  That way the people would not resent having to give one fifth of their crops, for they would be able to see that it was preserved for their own future use.

Genesis 41:25-32 Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dream

"Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.  God has revealed to  Pharaoh what he is about to do.  The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.  The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind:  They are seven years of famine.'

'It is just as I said to Pharaoh:  God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.  Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them.  Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.  The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.  The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.' "  (Genesis 41:25-32 NIV)
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Joseph's interpretation is simple and to the point:  There will be seven years of great abundance in Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine.  The repetition of the message indicated that it would happen soon.

Notice how Joseph keeps the focus upon God rather than upon himself:

• God has revealed the dream to Pharaoh.  (v.25)
• God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. (v.25,28)
• God has firmly decided the matter. (v.32)
• God will do it soon. (v.32)

Genesis 41:17-24 Pharaoh Recounts His Dream to Joseph

When Joseph appears before Pharaoh, the ruler recounts his dream to Joseph.  At first, I was going to just say that Pharaoh repeats his dream, and move on to Joseph's interpretation.  However, since the account has additional details which were not in the first account, let's take the time to see if there are any significant reasons for the repetition:

"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.  After them, seven other cows came up -- scrawny and very ugly and lean.  I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt.  The lean,  ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first.  But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before.  Then I woke up.'

'In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk.  After them, seven other heads sprouted -- withered and thin and scorched by the east wind.  The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads.  I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me.' " (Genesis 41:17-24 NIV)

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The main difference between the two accounts of the dream seem to be that there are just additional adjectives to describe the appearance of the cows and stalks of grain.  These adjectives (scrawny, withered) help emphasize the shocking difference between the two sets of cows and grain.

In this second account, Pharaoh exclaims that he has never seen such ugly cows in Egypt before.  He also mentions that even after the ugly cows ate up the sleek ones, they still appeared gaunt; no one could tell that they had just eaten.  No wonder Pharaoh was troubled by these images, which seemed to foretell some great evil approaching his land.  This would be of great concern for a Pharaoh, one who considered it his duty to maintain order in his world and hold back the chaotic forces which threatened to consume it.

Genesis 41:15-16 Pharaoh Speaks With Joseph

"Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.  But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.'

'I cannot do it,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, 'but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.' " 

(Genesis 41:15-16 NIV)

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I think it is remarkable that the Pharaoh would consult this Hebrew servant of the captain of his guard.  Egyptian Pharaohs considered themselves descended from the 'gods', and therefore looked down upon other peoples as somewhat inferior.

"One of the main functions of the king was
to maintain the order of the world

and to prevent it from slipping back into chaos.....

Customs in foreign countries differed from those in Egypt,

and people wore different clothes, worshipped unfamiliar deities

and spoke incomprehensible languages.

They did not behave in accordance with the norms
established at the time of creation.

Therefore foreign lands and their inhabitants were regarded

as representatives of the forces of chaos..." (1)

The fact that Pharaoh would consult this foreigner shows the level of his concern over this matter.

It is also remarkable that Joseph humbly says that the power to interpret dreams comes not from himself, but from God.  After all, this may be his only chance to get out of prison.  He is not likely to get an audience with the Pharaoh ever again.  Yet Joseph's integrity is such that he will not pretend to have this wisdom within himself so that the Pharaoh would think that he needed to keep Joseph around.

Joseph has great confidence that God will give Pharaoh an answer.  There is no doubt in his mind that if he prays to God for an interpretation, he will receive one.

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Some resources about the Egyptian worldview:

(Note:  I am not an expert in Egyptology, but these articles provided some interesting ideas for thought)

     1."The Egyptian Worldview" by Gay Robins   http://www.fathom.com/feature/190173/index.html

     2.  "Religion in the Lives of the Ancient Egyptians" by Douglas J Brewer, Emily Teeter  

          http://www.fathom.com/feature/190168/index.html

Genesis 41:9-14 Joseph Appears Before Pharaoh

"Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, 'Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.  Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.  Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.  Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.  We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.  And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us:  I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.'  So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.  When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh." (Genesis 41:9-14 NIV)

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Some interesting things about this passage:

1. Verse 9 indicates that Joseph was imprisoned in the house of the captain of the guard.  However, this was not just house arrest as we might think of it.  Probably the captain lived in a house adjacent to the prison.  It was the place where the king's prisoners were kept. (Gen. 39:20)  It had a warden and other prisoners. (Gen. 39:21-22).
2. Verse 12 confirms that Joseph was a young man when he was imprisoned, and that he was a Hebrew.  This was how the cupbearer described Joseph to the Pharaoh.
3. Everything which Joseph had predicted came true. (Genesis 40:21-22; Genesis 41:13)
4. Joseph was brought to Pharaoh from the dungeon of this prison.  (Gen.41:14)  Also, see Gen. 40:15, where Joseph claims that he does not deserve to be put in a dungeon.

Genesis 41:1-8 Cannibalistic Cows and Corn

"When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:  He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds.  After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank.  And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows.  Then Pharaoh woke up."  (Genesis 41:1-4 NIV)

Before we even get into Pharaoh's dream, I have to make a comment about the first few words of this passage:

  "When two full years had passed..." 

We pass over those words without a thought, but for Joseph, they probably seemed like a very long period of time.  Can you imagine how he felt, realizing that the baker he had helped had apparently forgotten to keep his promise about speaking to Pharaoh on his behalf?  Yet Joseph remained faithful to God in the midst of his imprisonment.

God had not forgotten Joseph.  Even at that moment, He was working out the means for Joseph's release.  Joseph did not know what God was doing, but God knew what Joseph needed, and would work all things together for His glory and for Joseph's good.  Like a master weaver, He was weaving all the necessary elements together so that, at just the right time, Joseph would be released from prison.  The baker's forgetfulness, the Pharaoh's troublesome dreams -- all these seemingly unrelated things would come together for a single purpose.

"He fell asleep again and had a second dream:  Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk.  After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted -- thin and scorched by the east wind.  The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads.  Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt.  Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him."  (Genesis 41:5-8 NIV)

In contrast to God's all-knowing wisdom, the magicians and wise men could not make heads or tails (pun intended) of the dreams.  And then, as if cannibalistic cows and corn wasn't enough, we arrive at the crucial part of the story, when the baker realizes he has forgotten all about Joseph for two years.

Genesis 40:20-23 Pharaoh's Birthday Activities

Three days later, Joseph's interpretation of the dreams related to him by the cupbearer and baker came to pass:

"Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials.  He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials:  He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand, but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation." (Genesis 40:20-22 NIV)

Talk about a working lunch!  Those activities (well, at least the latter one) are not what I'd like to have at my birthday party.  However, for Pharaoh, this was an excellent opportunity to show his other officials that faithful servants are well-treated but faithless ones will end up, shall we say, 'for the birds'.  For a man in his position, Pharaoh would likely find satisfaction in the destruction of his enemies.

After all this, you would think that the cupbearer would hasten to try to do what he could to help Joseph gain his release from prison.  However, human nature being

1. somewhat ungrateful
2. and forgetful,
3. and busy with many things instead of the most important things,

 such was not the case:

"The chief cupbearer, however,

 did not remember Joseph;

he forgot him"

(Genesis 40:23 NIV)

Genesis 40:16-23 The Baker's Dream

"When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, 'I, too, had a dream:  On my head were three baskets of bread.  In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.'

'This is what it means,' Joseph said.  'The three baskets are three days.  Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree.  And the birds will eat away your flesh.' " (Genesis 40:16-19 NIV)

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I don't think that the baker was very pleased with that interpretation -- especially the rather grisly pun it contained which contrasted the idea of 'lifting up the head' and 'lifting off  the head'!  The part about 'lift up your head' (in the cupbearer's dream) meant that Pharaoh would pardon the cupbearer, lift him up from jail and restore him to his position of honor.  The baker's dream, however, indicated that Pharaoh would 'lift' his head off him!  And as for the flesh-eating birds of verse 18, well, nobody wants to hear that coming up in their near future....

Joseph had to tell the man the truth about what his dream meant, though, and he did. 

Sometimes the messages which God gave to his servants are difficult to tell others.  I think of the various prophets who had this difficult task.  For example,  Jeremiah had to tell his countrymen that Judah would be conquered by other nations and that her people would have to go into captivity for a while.  This caused Jeremiah great anguish and he is known as 'the weeping prophet' because of how these messages conflicted with his love for the people.  In Jeremiah's case, he also had the chance to proclaim God's coming mercy and faithfulness to His covenant.

Joseph did not have any news of mercy or deliverance to give the baker.  However, if there is a bright side to this part of the story, I do not believe that Joseph would have failed to give what comfort he could to the condemned man.  Perhaps he also had a chance to speak to him about the God of Israel, so that the baker would be ready to meet his Maker. 

Genesis 40:9-15 The Cupbearer's Dream

"So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream.  He said to him, 'In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, and on the vine were three branches.  As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes.  Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup and put the cup in his hand.'

'This is what it means,' Joseph said to him, 'The three branches are three days.  Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.  But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.  For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.'  (Genesis 40:9-15 NIV)
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Joseph's interpretation of the cupbearer's dream is welcome news:  The man will soon be restored to his former position.

Joseph asks that his case be presented to Pharaoh when the cupbearer returns to his duties.  He explains how he had been carried off from Canaan and also that he does not deserve his current imprisonment.

I imagine that the soon-to-be released cupbearer was glad to promise Joseph his help.

Genesis 40:1-8 Dream Assignment

"Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt.  Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.  The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them."  (Genesis 40:1-4 NIV)
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Was it a dinner gone badly or some other matter which resulted in the cupbearer and baker being thrown into prison?  We do not know these details because they are not an important factor in this story, as far as advancing the account of how God is working in Joseph's life to accomplish His own plan.  However, it is continually emphasized throughout this portion of Scripture that these two new prisoners are significant servants from the court of the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.  This is setting the stage for the next major change in Joseph's life.

Joseph is apparently assigned to his duties as an attendant to these prisoners by the same man who had him put in prison -- the captain of the guard -- which Genesis 37:36 tells us was Potiphar, Joseph's previous master.  Actually, I suppose that Potiphar is still Joseph's master, even though Joseph is in prison, so it would be logical that Potiphar was directing Joseph's activities.  Also, as captain of the guard, Potiphar was responsible for seeing that these men were taken care of, so he picks a man who will be trustworthy.

"...After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men -- the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison -- had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.  When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.  So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, 'Why are your faces so sad today?'

'We both had dreams,' they answered, 'but there is no one to interpret them.'

Then Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell me your dreams.' " (Genesis 40:4-8 NIV)

It is remarkable that Joseph, who has already been in prison for some time, is concerned with the lives of these two men.  It would have been easy for Joseph to have become so consumed by his own situation and needs that he would have no energy for inquiring after other prisoners' conditions.  Instead, Joseph is continuing to faithfully carry out his duties, and seems genuinely concerned about the distress which is visible on the officials' faces.

When Joseph finds out that the men's dreams have caused their dejection, he immediately reminds them that God is the only competent interpreter of such matters.  However, Joseph offers to listen to their dreams.  Obviously he does not think that he is as capable as God.  Instead, I believe he is offering to listen to their dreams and then pray to God for an interpretation.  Joseph is still in prison, but he knows who he is -- a servant of God.  In a small way, Joseph is continuing to carry out one of the blessings promised to Abraham --that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. (Genesis 12:3)

Genesis 39:20- 23 God Grants Joseph Favor

"Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined."
                                                         (Genesis 39:20 NIV)
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Joseph's master may have put him in prison, but it was the place where the king's prisoner were kept.  That had to be a better place than where common prisoners were jailed.  Perhaps Potipher considered  Joseph's character and faithful service and had some doubts after all regarding his wife's account.  However, since he apparently did not make any moves to free Joseph during his long imprisonment, I wonder what Potipher really thought about the situation.

Joseph was still in prison, yet the account continues:  "...But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.  The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did."  (Genesis 39:20b-23 NIV)

It seems that the warden, at least, had no doubts about Joseph's character.  Whether Mrs. Potipher's behavior was known among the king's guard, and the warden believed that Joseph was innocent, or whether it was just that the Lord was with Joseph and had given him favor in the warden's eyes (as the text says twice in these few verses), the warden soon gave Joseph great responsibility among the jail's occupants.

Joseph enjoyed the same level of trust from the warden that Potipher had previously given him:  When he was assigned a duty, the warden did not have to check up on him to be sure that he was doing what he was supposed to do.  Like Potipher, the warden paid no attention to the things under Joseph's care, knowing that Joseph would do an excellent job and would succeed because the Lord was with him.

Wouldn't you like to have a reputation like Joseph's and succeed in all that you do?  Such success does not come merely from ourselves, no matter how talented we are or how hard we work.  It comes because God is with us and shows us His favor.

[Note to self:  Remember that always.]

Genesis 39:11-19 False Pride Cloaks Lies

"One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.  She caught him by his cloak and said, 'Come to bed with me!'  But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.  When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, she called her household servants.  'Look,' she said to them, 'this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us!  He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.  When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.'  (Genesis 39:11-15 NIV)
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Potiphar's wife continued to try to tempt Joseph into committing adultery with her.  Joseph had tried to avoid being in her presence.  However, one day his duties required him to go inside the house.  Potiphar's wife took advantage of the fact that no one else was around to witness her actions.  This time she even grabbed at Joseph's cloak as she made her demands.

Joseph did not even try to reason with this woman any more.  Leaving his cloak, he left the house.  Seizing both his cloak and the opportunity, Potiphar's wife realized that she finally had the chance to accuse Joseph of wrongdoing.  She lied to the household servants and told them that Joseph had tried to attack her, but that her screams had frightened him off.  Joseph's cloak seemed to lend substance to her accusation.

Notice how she subtly uses nationalistic pride to build up her case against Joseph:

• "...this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us" (v.14) -- as though the alleged 'attack' by this 'outsider' was against all Egyptians.

As the account continues, so does her prejudiced attitude:

"She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home.  Then she told him this story:  'That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me.  But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.'  When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, 'This is how your slave treated me,' he burned with anger."  (Genesis 39:16-19 NIV)

It was Potiphar's wife's word against Joseph's.  It probably would have been unthinkable for Potiphar to believe Joseph's account over his wife's story, or a Hebrew servant's account over an Egyptian's statement.  So Potiphar believes her version of what had happened and becomes furiously angry.

Genesis 39:6-10 Plot and Purity

"..Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'Come to bed with me!'  But he refused.  'With me in charge,' he told her, 'my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.  No one is greater in this house than I am.  My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?'  And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her."  (Genesis 39:6-10 NIV)

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Joseph continued his faithful service to his Egyptian master, but it was not long before Potiphar's wife noticed the handsome young man.  Her command was quite direct and to the point.  Perhaps she believed that Joseph would have to do whatever she told him to do.  However, Joseph soon puts that belief to rest.  He reminds the woman that Potiphar has given him a position of great responsibility and trust.  By telling her that no one in the household was greater than himself, he subtly lets her know that he was not obliged to carry out her demands.  He reminds her that his master has withheld nothing in the household from him except her, for she is Potiphar's wife.  This, too, is a subtle reminder to the woman that she is already someone's wife, and, as such, also has a position of great trust and responsibility.  Besides, Joseph serves another Master.  How could he do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

Obviously the woman is not acknowledging Joseph's rather diplomatic refusal.  She continues ('day after day' -- v.30) to try to seduce him.  Joseph refuses her overtures and, with a wisdom far beyond his years, refuses to even entertain her requests to at least spend time with her, for he realizes that her intentions are wicked.  Also, being a young man himself, he knows that he could easily fall into this temptation if he lets any type of casual contact continue. 

Genesis 39:2-6 Are You In Good Hands?

"The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.  When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.  Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.  The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.  So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate."  (Genesis 39:2-6 NIV)

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Three times in this small portion of Scripture (v.4,5,6) it is reported that Potiphar put Joseph in charge of all that he possessed.  However, Joseph didn't just walk into this position of trust.  "The Lord was with Joseph..." (v.2).  It was only by God's providence that Joseph's life had been preserved and that he had gained favor with Potiphar.  In addition, I do not doubt that it took a period of faithful service to Potiphar before the man would be willing to entrust his household and everything he owned to Joseph's care.

Joseph's attitude toward his circumstances is evident.  He is not wallowing in self-pity because of the injustice done to him by his brothers.  He seems to just continue to serve faithfully, trusting that God is doing something in these circumstances.  There is no report of any escape attempt.

I had wondered about that at times -- why didn't Joseph just escape and travel back to Canaan?  Probably this would take funds or supplies which he didn't have.  After all, you don't just go running off into the desert without a plan, or you will die.  Possibly there was no real opportunity to escape.  I do not know what the punishment for running away from a master would be, but it would probably be severe.  Since Potiphar was the captain of the guard, he no doubt had access to enough men to ensure that his own 'property' was secure.

"...the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph." (v.5)  Remember God's promise to Abraham?  This included the fact that God would bless all nations through the Israelites.  Here in a kind of miniature version is an example of such blessing coming upon the household of Potiphar the Egyptian.  Actually, Joseph's experiences in Egypt are often compared with the experiences of Israel as a nation, and seen as a microcosm of what the nation of Israel went through during its sojourn in Egypt.

Over all these things, the hand of God is at work, continuing to work out His plan for the nation of Israel and all along, remaining  faithful to His covenant promises.  Although he was in a strange land, with new customs, living among those who worshiped a multitude of  other 'gods', Joseph was not actually alone.  He was in good hands, indeed.

Genesis 39:1 Joseph Arrives in Egypt

"Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt.  Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there."  (Genesis 39:1 NIV)

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Did you ever wonder what was going on in Joseph's mind as he traveled down to Egypt with the Ishmaelites?  Did the traders treat him well, or cruelly mock his suffering?  Was he well-fed or half-starved on the long journey?  We are not given these details, but you can imagine how it must have felt to endure being sold by your own brothers and then going through the same humiliating process again once you reached Egypt.

Egypt must have seemed like another universe to this young man, who had probably never been so far from home.

Genesis 38:27-30 Breakout

"When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.  As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, 'This one came out first.'  But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, 'So this is how you have broken out!'  And he was named Perez.  Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out and he was given the name Zerah." (Genesis 38:27-30 NIV)

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Twins seem to run in Jacob's family.  He himself was a twin.  Now his son Judah has fathered twin boys as well.  Having had several children of my own, I winced at the apparent gymnastics going on during the birth of Perez ('breaking out') and Zerah ('scarlet/brightness').  However, both boys were born safely.

Although Zerah was the first to put his hand out into the world, Perez was the first to emerge entirely from the womb.  Hence his name.  I guess that Perez would be considered the firstborn, but it sure looks like another instance in which the second-born son usurps the firstborn.  Perez will go on to become prominent in the clan of Judah; he is the ancestor of King David, and of Messiah Jesus.

This switching of prominence between a firstborn and a later son is an ongoing theme in Jacob's family line.

We have already been introduced to one of Jacob's favorite sons, Joseph.  About ten chapters ahead in the book of Genesis from now, when Jacob blesses Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob prophetically declares that Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh, even though Manasseh is the firstborn.

What's going on here?  One thing is clear.  In God's way of doing things, He calls the shots.  His will is done despite whether one is a firstborn, or a fourth son like Judah.  There are no obstacles (whether they are physical, cultural, or spiritual) which can stand in the way of the things which He has planned. 

Genesis 38:24-26 Double Standard, Twin Redemption

"About three months later, Judah was told, 'Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result, she is now pregnant.'  Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!"  As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law.  ''I am pregnant by the man who owns these,'' she said.  And she added, ''See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.''  Judah recognized them and said, 'She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah.'  And he did not sleep with her again." (Genesis 38:24-26 NIV)
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There was a rather familiar double standard going on here which was certainly not limited to that time:  'It was all right to see a prostitute, but not to be a prostitute' seems to sum it up.  Of course, that way of thinking was not what the followers of God endorsed, but through his association with the Canaanites, Judah had gone far astray from the worship of the God of Israel.

His first reaction -- a complete lack of mercy toward the woman -- also reveals his own spiritual shortcomings.  He had participated in the sin of prostitution himself (as far as he knew) only a few months ago.  On top of that, although Tamar is responsible for her own actions, the fact that he had not kept his own promise to give Shelah to Tamar as a husband certainly could have contributed to her falling into this sin, and he would have known that.

Why the self-righteousness, then?  I can only guess that he was concerned once again with his reputation.  In Genesis 38:23, Judah had indicated that he did not want to become a laughingstock to the Canaanites.  Now, before he realizes that Tamar had not gone off and seen some other man, he seeks to uphold his own family's reputation.  If she had been with another man, he believes she should be punished.  Also, it is a rather convenient way of getting rid of Tamar and not having to worry about his promise of giving his son Shelah to her as a husband.

However, he is in for a certain shock when he realizes that the partner in Tamar's transgression is himself!  To Tamar's credit, she does not try to embarrass him by a public declaration of the fact, but sends him a message about the matter.  To Judah's credit, he does not try to deny that the seal and staff are indeed his own.  In fact, he publicly admits that Tamar is more righteous than himself, since he had not given her the husband he had promised.

At the end, this matter is somewhat settled:  Judah admits his guilt; Tamar is not burned to death.  However, it is not ideal.  (Sin always leaves scars.)  Judah can not marry his daughter-in-law and can not give her to his son, either, since he has slept with her.  Judah does not sleep with her again, although I assume he provided for her and for their offspring.  Judah and she seem to have remained among the Israelites.  Perhaps it is at this point that Judah returns to his brothers.  I can not say for sure, but Judah is found (several chapters ahead) going to Egypt with his brothers.  Later, when the whole family leave for Egypt to live, Judah and Tamar are among the party.

So God does bring redemption out of the situation.  Actually, pretty literally.  For one of the twins who will be born to Judah and Tamar as a result of this incident will grow up and his line will lead to the Messiah.  Yeah, I know, it seems crazy.  Just hang in there and we will follow this story through many a twist and turn, (some of which are beyond our imagining and which we would never choose), to its wonderful conclusion.  You can't make this stuff up.    

Genesis 38:20-23 Payment

"Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her.  He asked the men who lived there, 'Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?'

'There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here,' they said.  So he went back to Judah and said, 'I didn't find her.  Besides, the men who lived there said, "There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here." '

Then Judah said, 'Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock.  After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her.' " (Genesis 38:20-23 NIV)
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Judah sent his friend Hirah to give the woman the goat he had promised her.  Then he could get back the items he had left as pledge -- his staff and personal seal.  When Hirah questions the men of that place, he calls the woman a 'shrine prostitute' (different word), as opposed to a regular prostitute, perhaps to make the whole transaction seem a bit more legitimate.  Perhaps Judah is embarrassed by his transgression; he certainly does not bring the payment himself.

However, no one knows what Hirah is talking about, for there was no shrine prostitute in that area.  Judah believes that he has done his best to locate the woman, so he drops the matter to prevent more embarrassment.

   

Genesis 38:12-19 Judah and Tamar

"After a long time Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died.  When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him." (Genesis38:12 NIV)

A long time has passed since Er and Onan's deaths.  However, Tamar still has not been given Shelah as a husband, as Judah had promised.  Judah's own wife has died as well.  After Judah was finished mourning her death, he sets off for Timnah with his long-time friend Hirah.  It was the time for sheep-shearing, which is generally a more festive time, a time to rejoice in the results of all their labors.

"When Tamar was told, 'Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,' she took off her widow's clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah.  For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife."  (Genesis 38:13-14 NIV)

Tamar had been dealt a difficult hand in life.  Her husband had died young, and her second husband had soon followed him in death.  With Judah refusing to give her his only remaining son, Shelah, as he had promised, Tamar was stuck in what appeared to be perpetual widowhood.  The situation did not seem like it was ever likely to change.  However, since she was promised to Shelah, she would not be available for any other suitors.

"When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.  Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, 'Come now, let me sleep with you.' 

'And what will you give me to sleep with you?' she asked.

'I'll send you a young goat from my flock,' he said.

'Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?' she asked.

He said, 'What pledge should I give you?'

'Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,' she answered.  so he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.  After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes again."  (Genesis 38:15-19 NIV)

Tamar does not know the Lord, so we may not find her behaviour shocking.  It does say something about Judah, though, that he would resort to going to a prostitute.  I understand he may miss his wife, but he should have tried to find another wife instead of resorting to this behavior.  His testimony among the Canaanites has become quite compromised.

Sin is very destructive.  Judah may have been willing to sleep with a prostitute, but I am sure that he never would have done this if he knew that the woman was Tamar.  However, once he started on that slippery slope of compromise, it is not surprising that the resulting sin was a lot more complicated than he would ever have dreamed.    

Genesis 38:1-11 Judah Tries to Live on a Fence

"At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah.  There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua.  He married her and lay with her; she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er.  She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan.  She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah.  It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him." (Genesis 38:1-5 NIV)

Joseph had been taken away from his brothers, but Judah left on his own and was living among the Canaanites for some time.  He marries and has three sons, which would take a number of years.  Also, as this account continues, we see that Judah stayed there until at least one of the sons, Er, was old enough that Judah sought a wife for him:

"Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn,

and her name was Tamar.

But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the Lord's sight;

so the Lord put him to death.

(Genesis 38:6-7 NIV) 

Twice in these few verses we are told that Er was Judah's firstborn.  I do not know why this is being emphasized, but perhaps it is to show us that Judah's line is starting to become established among the Canaanites, in whose land he was living.  His wife is a Canaanite. (v.2)  Judah's third son Shelah (and probably the other two sons as well) was born in Kezib.  I have to check the geography, but I get the sense that Judah is living on the border of places occupied by Israelite and Canaanite peoples, perhaps traveling back and forth between the two as he tended his flocks.  [Note:  Adullam is southwest of Jerusalem, and Kezib is about three miles west of that.]  He seems to be somewhat removed, yet lives near enough that he accompanies his brothers when they go to Egypt to get food during the famine which is soon to envelop the surrounding territory.

Judah is certainly not the first, nor the last, to try to live in both worlds -- that of the Canaanites and also of the Israelites who worshipped God.  Of course, it never works out like one planned.  Er is wicked (not surprisingly, since his mother does not know God and Judah might not, either...or is at least in a state of compromise).  In fact, Er is so wicked that God puts him to death.

Judah's next son Onan is not any better.  In that culture, if a man died before having any offspring, his brother (or sometimes his nearest male relative, if there were no brothers) was expected to marry the widow.  Their first son was considered the deceased man's son for inheritance purposes.  Under this arrangement, the widow's support would also be accomplished:

"Then Judah said to Onan, 

'Lie with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law

to produce offspring for your brother.'

But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his;

so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, 

he spilled his semen on the ground

 to keep from producing offspring for his brother.

What he did was wicked in the Lord's sight, so he put him to death also."

(Genesis 38:8-10 NIV)

     Things are not going well for Judah now...or for his sons.  Judah has only one son left, and he is determined to not lose him:

"Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar,

'Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up.'

For he thought, 'He may die too, just like his brothers.'

So Tamar went to live in her father's house."

(Genesis 38:11 NIV)

  In other words, Judah has no intention of giving Shelah to Tamar.  Somehow, it seems he is blaming Tamar for his sons' deaths.  It never occurs to him that his own choices and the resulting wickedness of his sons may be at least partly to blame for these tragedies.