Hello! Welcome to today’s bible study on Genesis 43 where we will read about Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and the ensuing events. According to Bible scholars, the events of Genesis 43 took place in 1875 B.C. approximately.
I encourage you to turn to Genesis 43 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Genesis 43. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. No one else can teach you better than the Holy Spirit Himself. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In the Bible Study on Genesis 42, we read about Joseph’s brothers in Egypt and their meeting with Joseph. Well, in this Bible study on Genesis 43 we will read about Joseph’s brothers’s return to Egypt with Benjamin to buy additional grain for their families.
Backstory on Genesis 42
Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt to buy grain to survive the famine. It was Jacob, their father, who sent them. Joseph accused them of being spies and imprisoned Simeon and instructed the remaining brothers to return to their families with grain. He also said that they would have to bring Benjamin with them if they wanted Simeon to be released and to prove that they are not really spies.
While the brothers were returning home, one of them opened his sack to feed his donkey and found that his money was at the oepning of the grain sack. The brothers were afraid and relayed everything to Jacob, once they were home. Jacob was afraid that he might lose Benjamin too just like he lost Joseph and Simeon and refused to send him to Egypt.
Without any further delay, let us study together Genesis Chapter 43, shall we?
Genesis 43 Summary
The famine in Canaan was severe. After Joseph’s brothers had used up the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father, Jacob, asked them to go back to Egypt to buy more food. Judah replied that they couldn’t return without Benjamin because the governor of Egypt (Joseph) had said he wouldn’t see their faces until Benjamin arrived. Israel (Jacob) asked why they had dealt so wrongfully with him by telling the lord of Egypt about Benjamin, when he had already lost Joseph and Simeon was in prison. Judah explained that they couldn’t hide the truth from the governor because of his many questions, and he offered to be surety for Benjamin, ensuring that he would bing him back to Jacob.
Jacob told his sons to take the best fruits of the land in their vessels as a gift for the governor of Egypt. The present included balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. He also told them to take double money in their hand, as well as the money that was returned in their sacks the first time. He thought the return might have been an oversight. Jacob prayed to God for mercy and said that if he loses Simeon and Benjamin, he would be bereaved, and that whatever happens happens.
The men took the present, double money, and Benjamin, and went down to Egypt to stand before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he instructed the steward of his house to take the men to his house, slaughter an animal, and prepare lunch because he wanted his brothers to dine with him at noon.
Joseph’s brothers were afraid when they were brought into his house. They feared that they were being accused of stealing the money that was returned in their sacks the first time. They thought Joseph might use this as an excuse to take them as slaves along with their donkeys.
Hence, they explained the situation to the steward of Joseph’s house, who reassured them not to be afraid. The steward told them that God had given them treasure in their sacks and he had their money. He then brought out Simeon to them.
Afterwards, the steward brought the men into Joseph’s house, offered them water to wash their feet, and provided feed for their donkeys. The men then prepared the gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon, as they had heard that he would be eating bread there.
When Joseph returned home, they brought him the present and bowed down before him to the earth. Joseph asked them about their well-being and his father Jacob, if he was well and still alive, to which they replied that he was. Joseph then saw Benjamin, his mother’s son, and asked if this was their younger brother. He blessed Benjamin, and his heart yearned for him. He went to his chamber to weep, then washed his face and came out.Thus, Joseph restrained himself and told his aides to serve the bread.
The Egyptians ate by themselves because they could not eat food with Hebrews as it was an abomination to them. Joseph’s brothers sat before him in order from the firstborn to the youngest. They were astonished by the hospitality. Joseph then served them, and Benjamin’s portion was five times more than any of theirs. They all drank and were merry with Joseph not knowing that he was Joseph.
Genesis 43 Commentary
1. Genesis 43:9
Jacob called Benjamin the son of his right hand when he was born. There is a parallel between us as believers and Benjamin because we are also seated at the right hand of the Father along with Jesus in heavenly places.
Now, Judah becoming a surety for Benjamin was no small deal. It is prophetic. We all know that Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah because He came forth from this line. Judah becoming a surety for Benjamin draws a parallel to Jesus becoming a surety for us before Father God. Judah convinced his father Jacob that he would bring Benjamin safely back to him. Jesus did exactly this for us by taking our place and setting us free from the world curse system and the fallen world. He made a way for us to stay connected with God without being spiritually separated from him. He is our surety before God. Also, Judah means praise in Hebrew, therefore, praise stopped any harm from befalling Benjamin.
2. Genesis 43:18
Joseph’s brothers were guilty of sin and terrified of him because of his power and position. When they found the money in their sacks, they thought he was going to punish them. Joseph’s behavior teaches us about forgiveness. Instead of punishing them, he treated them well. They didn’t recognize Joseph as their brother because he was now the governor of Egypt. It was beyond their wildest imagination that their brother whom they sold as a slave to Egypt would hold the second highest office in Egypt.
3. Genesis 43:32
Eating with Hebrews was considered abominable by the Egyptians. However, the Lord’s favor on Joseph led to him becoming the governor of all Egypt, making him an exception to this rule as he ruled over the Egyptians. What the enemy intended for evil, the Lord surely turned around for his good.
Genesis 43 Lessons
1. Forgive those who hurt you and treat them well if you meet them
Just like Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed and sold him into slavery, we are called to forgive those who hurt us and place our trust in God for our deliverance. Our deliverance does not come from any human, but from God alone. If you ever get the chance to meet those who hurt you, it is wise to treat them well without malice or ulterior intentions, just as Joseph did.
Because God has forgiven us of our sins, it is our duty to forgive others who have sinned against us. We cannot be unforgiving of others and expect God to forgive us. If the Creator of the heavens and earth, and every living thing, can forgive us for our transgressions against Him, then we can surely forgive others. It is not always the easiest thing to do, but we must remember that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected even for those who hurt us. Thinking from this perspective has helped me to forgive people who have hurt me, and I hope this perspective helps you too.
2. God’s plan of redemption goes way back even before the world was formed
God’s plan of redemption didn’t start when Jesus was born; it started even before the foundations of the world. The plan is demonstrated even in the old testament through the redemption of Noah and his household, and then continued through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, among others. In Genesis 43, we see a clear example of this in the story of Judah and Benjamin, when Judah became surety for Benjamin. Throughout the Old Testament, there are many instances where we can see Jesus even before His birth.
3. Praise God when you think something might harm you
The name Judah means ‘praise’ in Hebrew, as I mentioned before. Judah (Praise) prevented any harm from befalling Benjamin and became a surety for him. Therefore, if you find yourself in harm’s way, begin praising God. That praise will cancel any potential harm that might come near you.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study lesson on Genesis 43. I hope you enjoyed this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it with others. Also, share your thoughts about it and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about Genesis 43. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
What are your thoughts about Genesis 43?
Until next time!