Hands-On Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 78
Genesis 44 ... page 48
“If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack
your bags with the best products of this land.
Take them down to the man as gifts—balm,
honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and
almonds. 12Also take double the money that was
put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake. 13 Then take your brother, and go
back to the man. 14May God Almighty give you
mercy as you go before the man, so that he will
release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I
must lose my children, so be it.”
15So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double
the money and headed off with Benjamin. They
finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. 16When Joseph saw Benjamin
with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon.
Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter
an animal, and prepare a big feast.” 17So the man
did as Joseph told him and took them into
Joseph’s palace.
18The brothers were terrified when they saw
that they were being taken into Joseph’s house.
“It’s because of the money someone put in our
sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He
plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will
seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”
A Feast at Joseph’s Palace
19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came
to Egypt once before to buy food. 21But as we
were returning home, we stopped for the night
and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that
each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was
in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought
it back with us. 22 We also have additional money
to buy more food. We have no idea who put our
money in our sacks.”
23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household
manager told them. “Your God, the God of your
father, must have put this treasure into your
sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he
released Simeon and brought him out to them.
24The manager then led the men into Joseph’s
palace. He gave them water to wash their feet
and provided food for their donkeys. 25 They
were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon.
26When Joseph came home, they gave him the
gifts they had brought him, then bowed low to
the ground before him. 27After greeting them, he
asked, “How is your father, the old man you
spoke about? Is he still alive?”
28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they bowed low
again.
29 Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. “Is this your
youngest brother, the one you told me about?”
Joseph asked. “May God be gracious to you, my
son.” 30Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his
brother. He went into his private room, where he
broke down and wept. 31After washing his face,
he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, “Bring out the food!”
32 The waiters served Joseph at his own table,
and his brothers were served at a separate table.
The Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their
own table, because Egyptians despise Hebrews
and refuse to eat with them. 33Joseph told each
of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest. 34And Joseph filled their plates
with food from his own table, giving Benjamin
five times as much as he gave the others. So they
feasted and drank freely with him.
CHAPTER
44
Joseph’s Silver Cup
When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph
gave these instructions to his palace manager:
“Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as
they can carry, and put each man’s money back
into his sack. 2 Then put my personal silver cup
at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along
with the money for his grain.” So the manager
did as Joseph instructed him.
3 The brothers were up at dawn and were sent
on their journey with their loaded donkeys. 4But
when they had gone only a short distance and
were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, “Chase after them and stop them.
When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why
have you repaid my kindness with such evil?
5 Why have you stolen my master’s silver cup,
which he uses to predict the future? What a
wicked thing you have done!’”
6When the palace manager caught up with
the men, he spoke to them as he had been
instructed.
7 “What are you talking about?” the brothers
responded. “We are your servants and would
never do such a thing! 8Didn’t we return the
money we found in our sacks? We brought it
back all the way from the land of Canaan. Why
would we steal silver or gold from your master’s
house? 9 If you find his cup with any one of us, let
