The Book of Genesis
Part 86
Chapter 43:1-14
In writing to Timothy the Apostle Paul indicated that God gives us all things richly to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:16). The context in which this statement is found involves a contrast between uncertain riches and God who gives richly, between material possession and the Living Lord. With the former we may purchase what we need, but from the latter we may receive gratuitously all that is necessary for life and godliness.
Joseph’s brethren were about to find out that they could not pay for the supplies which they sought, and that all were given freely for their enjoyment. What an illustration of God’s dealings with men! Jacob and his sons thought that they might purchase what they needed; in fact, they were determined to pay with money and a little present for a benefit beyond their wildest imagination. In every respect and in every aspect of life, men are more willing to use their own currency for possession than to comply with the moral requirements for enjoyment. What are the moral requirements? These may be learned from a careful analysis of this chapter.
A Consciousness of Need
“And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.”
There are certain matters which may be considered in a visionary manner while others demand a realistic consideration. Hunger is probably one circumstance that makes the strongest claims in this regard. It was so here; all were conscious of their need.
While there was a keen sense of a quickly diminishing food supply, there was actually no sense of insufficiency; if there was little food, there was plenty of money, and they were ready to make the exchange. It ever has been difficult both socially and spiritually to help those who cling to their independence.
The highest hopes entertained by Jacob were expressed in his instructions to his sons, “Buy us a little food.” All unknown to him, the storehouses of Egypt were at his disposal.
The Proof of Genuineness
These sons of Jacob were under the close surveillance of Joseph. As we saw earlier, he was testing them to see if there had been any change in their hearts. Would these men be as ruthless as ever and abandon their brother Simeon in prison, as they had abandoned him those many years ago? Had they regained the confidence of their father? Would he entrust Benjamin to their care?
Judah, especially, understood that it would be futile to return without his youngest brother. He did not perceive the reason for the demand, but he recalled the stern words, “Bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die.” Whether the death referred to here was death as the natural outcome of famine and the refusal of food, or execution as spies, is difficult to discern. The severity of the charge remained with Judah.
The insistence of Judah eventually prevailed, and the necessary permission granted to take Benjamin with them as the evidence of their truthfulness. It is obvious that by sending Benjamin, Jacob could have recovered Simeon immediately. The loss of Simeon did not move Jacob nearly as much as did the risking of Benjamin.
An Indication of Gratitude
Does there still linger in Jacob the tendency to barter and to bribe? He who bargained with God at Bethel saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: … Of all that Thou give me, I will surely give the tenth to Thee” (Gen. 28:20-22), and he who attempted with some measure of success to bribe his brother Esau (Gen. 33), apparently thought that he could propitiate the Egyptian and ingratiate himself with this governor of Egypt.
That Joseph in Egypt did not need the present from the famine stricken land is obvious; our highest appraisal of Jacob’s act must therefore be that by it he manifested some gratitude of heart to the benevolence of the Food Adminstrator.
The Assurance of Honesty
“Take double money (Lit. second money) and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks.” They were to return the money that mysteriously had found its way in among the corn, and they were to pay for all they bought. Honesty in this regard, so it seems clear, was one of the virtues most likely to reinstate them in the confidence of Joseph.
C. Simmons once said “True honesty takes into account the claims of God as well as those of man; it renders to God the things that are God’s as well as to man the things that are man’s.”
Having given his sons their instructions, and having committed Benjamin to their care, Jacob for the first time brings God into the arrangements. In despair he says, “God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” There was not very much hope in this appeal for divine protection and aid.
We dare not censor Jacob’s action here; this is the usual with most Christians. Their schemes and plans are all made before the Lord’s guidance is invoked. Frequently the Christian depends more on his own ability and wisdom than upon the Lord’s guidance and power.
With the full revelation of New Testament truth, we appreciate more than Jacob probably could the significance of this title he uses for God, “God Almighty give you mercy.” This title is found repeatedly in the first Book of the Bible and again in the last, in Genesis and the Revelation. It was as God Almighty that the Lord appeared to Abraham (Gen.-17:1) and also to Jacob (Gen. 35:11). The title “God Almighty” (EI Shaddai) gives a somewhat feminine picture of the Lord for literally it means the breasted God, and implies that God loves, nourishes, and sustains by His own inexhaustible bounty. All this He was to the patriarchs.