Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 81
43:19–44:4
G enesis
69
The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke
to him at the entrance to the palace. “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt
once before to buy food. But 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. We also have additional money to buy more
food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”
“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.
The manager then led the men into Joseph’s palace. He gave them water
to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys. They were told
they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival
at noon.
When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him,
then bowed low to the ground before him. After greeting them, he asked,
“How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?”
“Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they
bowed low again.
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.” Then 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. After washing his
face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered,
“Bring out the food!”
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.
Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he
seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest. And 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.
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. 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.
The brothers were up at dawn and were sent on their journey with their
loaded donkeys. But when they had gone only a short distance and were
