Wayfinding Bible - Flipbook - Page 73
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Genesis 44
OBSERVATION POINT
Joseph’s brothers would not have recognized him for
several reasons. First, Joseph had been seventeen
years old when he was sold into slavery. He was now
a 39-year-old man. Second, he had acclimated to
Egyptian culture. He was clean shaven and wore royal
clothing, a gold chain around his neck, and a signet
ring. Although he could understand the language of
his birth, he used an interpreter to converse with his
brothers, convincing them that he was a native Egyptian. Finally, his brothers probably thought he was
dead—not the second-highest ruler of all of Egypt.
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.
24
The manager then led the men into Jo
seph’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.
26
When Joseph came home, they gave him
the gifts they had brought him, then bowed
low to the ground before him. 27 After 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 Benja
min, 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.” 30 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. 31 After 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. 33 Joseph
told each of his brothers where to sit, and to
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EXPLORATION POINT
Why did Joseph play all these games? Why didn’t he
just reveal his identity from the beginning? S
eeing his
brothers again must have brought a rush of emotions
and nightmarish memories: hurt, anger, wonder,
fear. He needed time to sort through his confusion,
to evaluate the situation, and to resolve his anger.
In today’s world Joseph would have spent years
in therapy, or he would have chosen revenge. But he
gave himself time. He manipulated the situation to
test his brothers’ integrity and faithfulness, but he
still helped them. His compassion eventually led him
to forgive all of them and save his family.
their amazement, he seated them according
to age, from oldest to youngest. 34 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.
JOSEPH’S SILVER CUP
44
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. 4 But 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!’”
6
When 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! 8 Didn’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
44:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew lacks this phrase.
