As we move to Genesis 42, 13 years have passed since we were introduced to Joseph in chapter 37. Things are going well with him because the Lord has blessed him. He has risen from the ashes of his trials and tribulations to become second only to Pharaoh in Egypt (42:40). He has not been blessed simply for himself, but that he might bless others. Accordingly, he has made plans for the future through a grain storage program that will indeed bless the world (41:48-49).
As for Joseph’s brothers—Godwasn’t finished with them. Isn’t that good news? They had been scoundrels in terms of their behavior toward Joseph. He had been blessed not because of them, but despite what they had done. They were not what God wanted them to be by a long stretch—but He hadn’t given up on them. Don’t you love that about our Father? His patience toward us is profound. Paul encourages us not to “show contempt for the riches of His kindness” that are designed to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).
In this section, things are going to get uncomfortable for the brothers. Like a splinter that goes in clean and is barely noticed, their mistreatment of Joseph appeared to be just a part of their past and had remained there. But now that splinter had worked its way to the surface where it could be seen and felt, and they would have to deal with it. Their sin had found them out (Numbers 32:23). They were in for a season of reaping.
There was a famine in Canaan. The brothers were sent by their father Jacob to buy grain in Egypt. The person in charge of the distribution of that grain was none other than their brother Joseph. He recognized them but they didn’t recognize him. In a Homeland Security sort of way, Joseph accused them of being spies. In protest the brothers told him, “Your servants are honest men, not spies” (v. 10). “Honest” will occur four more times in the chapter and represents the essence of the issue confronting the brothers. No matter how straightforward they had been in the proposed grain transaction, they had been living a lie regarding their brother Joseph. And now they were attempting to tell the person whose disappearance they had covered up that they were honest men.
It’s a superb bit of irony and represents the futility of their effort to pass themselves off as honest men. I heard someone talk about the difference between “being right” and “doing right.” Their point was that people spend and a lot of time and effort rationalizing the wrong things they’ve done in an attempt to “be right.” What they should do is drop their efforts at trying to justify incorrect actions and do what is right. That’s what is going on with Joseph’s brothers. They were trying to be seen as right instead of doing what is right.
But it wasn’t going to work out for them. Living with the cover-up never does. Joseph had arranged things so that they were going to have to participate in brotherhood. Did these honest men want grain? They would have to leave their brother Simeon and bring their youngest brother Benjamin from Canaan and present him to Joseph in order to ransom Simeon (v. 19-20).
This meant immersing themselves in the attitudes and actions of community. After all, Simeon would be suffering on their behalf, and they would be dependent upon Benjamin to rescue Simeon. No wonder when one of the brothers found the silver they had used to pay for the grain in their sack, they asked, “What is this that God has done to us?” (v. 28). The answer is simple: He’s helping them to learn and build community.
They headed back to Canaan (less Simeon) and as they explained to their father what honest men they were, they found the silver that had been used to pay for the grain in their sacks. Jacob (who had to have experienced some personal déjà vu in the seeming behavior of his sons, could only say, “Everything is against me!” (v. 36).
Then something amazing happened.
The brothers, the very same brothers Joseph would later warn, “Don’t quarrel on the way” (45:24), begin to show some solidarity in doing what was right! They had previously united for evil, but now they unite for the purpose of good. Reuben offered his two sons if they didn’t bring Simeon back to Jacob (42:37). Judah said he would bear the guilt if Benjamin didn’t return (43:9). Then when Joseph said Benjamin wouldn’t return to Canaan with them, they all said they would not and could not go back without him (44:16, 26). When our story began, they were united in an effort to kill Joseph, now they are united in an effort to rescue Benjamin. They were learning about brotherhood and community.
And where has Joseph been in all of this? He has imaged God to them by leading his brothers to repentance and reconciliation. What was involved in this? Patient endurance, the absence of vengeance, and the presence of good will—all of these are part of the brothers’ story of redemption and coming to community.
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 