So, the family of Jacob did run out of grain, like I previously wondered in my post on Ch. 42. They needed more grain to make bread. Jacob new the terms of returning to Egypt for more grain. He did not want to send Benjamin, but the family needed the grain sorely. Jacob also wanted to have Simeon back from Egypt. After discussing this with his sons, Jacob agreed to send Benjamin back with the other sons. He wanted them to return the money from the first trip and wanted to pay double the price for the grain as before. He also put together a gift of foodstuffs from Canaan. I'm guessing that Egypt did not grow these foods. Jacob knew how to be diplomatic. Pretty sure others have treated him this way when making a deal.
I find it interesting that Jacob was eventually resolved to accept what happens when he said that, "And may Almighty God give you mercy before the man, that he may release your brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Jacob was leaving the situation into God's hands. He knew he must send Benjamin.
In Egypt, the brothers are asked to dine with Joseph. Joseph was a governor, a high official. I wonder if the brothers thought it odd for the governor to be so interested in them. But they needed to meet with him to return the money and show Joseph that Benjamin had come with them. Joseph was very moved when he saw Benjamin. It had been over two decades since saw him last. I assume that they were very close growing up, having the same mother.
The brothers noticed when Joseph assigned the seats to the brothers in birth order. And they noticed when Benjamin's serving was 5 times what the other brothers' was. Yet they did not suspect that the governor was Joseph at all.
It appears that they let down their guard during the meal as it says that they drank and were merry with Joseph.
Perhaps, from what they had seen, the brothers may have believed that, indeed, God was being merciful to them.
I find it interesting that Jacob was eventually resolved to accept what happens when he said that, "And may Almighty God give you mercy before the man, that he may release your brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Jacob was leaving the situation into God's hands. He knew he must send Benjamin.
In Egypt, the brothers are asked to dine with Joseph. Joseph was a governor, a high official. I wonder if the brothers thought it odd for the governor to be so interested in them. But they needed to meet with him to return the money and show Joseph that Benjamin had come with them. Joseph was very moved when he saw Benjamin. It had been over two decades since saw him last. I assume that they were very close growing up, having the same mother.
The brothers noticed when Joseph assigned the seats to the brothers in birth order. And they noticed when Benjamin's serving was 5 times what the other brothers' was. Yet they did not suspect that the governor was Joseph at all.
It appears that they let down their guard during the meal as it says that they drank and were merry with Joseph.
Perhaps, from what they had seen, the brothers may have believed that, indeed, God was being merciful to them.
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