Genesis 43-44:The Second Journey to

Egypt and The Final Test

Kaitlyn Dedman, Hanna Dixon,

Dana Lee, Maggie Morrison and Kira

Wells

Map of Benjamin’s Journey

Benjamin’s home

Genesis 43

The picture states: “Because of the famine in Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain. There they met their brother, Joseph.”

Genesis 43 ctd.

Joseph sees that his brothers are coming and he tells his servant to take them into his home and prepare food for them.

Genesis 43 ctd.The brothers found money in their bags from the first time they had come to Egypt and began to feel anxious about themselves being captured as slaves in Joseph’s household. They had also brought money of their own. They tell the head steward of it and he tells them not to worry about the matter for God must have put the money in their bags.

“…we came down here once before to procure food. But when we arrived at a night’s encampment and opened our bags, there was each man’s money in the mouth of his bag- our money in the full amount!...” Gen 43:21

Genesis 43 ctd.

When Joseph sees Benjamin he leaves everyone’s sight and weeps tears of joy. At dinner, Benjamin’s portion of food is five times larger than everybody else’s.

Genesis 44

Joseph tells the head steward to fill the each brother’s bag to its fill with food and money, but to also put a silver goblet in the youngest’s bag (Benjamin) for their departure.

“In the mouth of the youngest one’s bag put also my silver goblet, together with the money for his rations.” Gen 44: 2

Genesis 44 ctd.

As soon as the brothers leave. Joseph orders the head steward to go after them and to ask why they stole his goblet.

Genesis 44 ctd.

The steward catches up to them and informs them of Joseph’s accusation. They replied why they would do such a thing after they just brought back the money they found in their bags. They say they would offer themselves as slaves to Joseph if the goblet is found and the guilty brother would be killed.

Genesis 44 ctd.The goblet was found in Benjamin’s bag and went back to Joseph’s house. Judah begged Joseph to not take Benjamin for his father’s sake since he already lost Joseph. He offered to take his brother’s place.

“Let me, your servant, therefore, remain in place of the boy as the slave of my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers.” Gen 44:33

The Literal Sense

Key characters: Joseph, Benjamin, Judah, Jacob, the 10 other brothers, head steward, God, servants.

Joseph sees his brothers, cries when he sees Benjamin, and eats with them; they soon leave and find that their sacks are packed with extra money and food. Joseph put a silver goblet in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph orders the head steward to go after them and they come back to Joseph’s house.

How is God involved? He willed it so that Joseph would see his beloved

younger brother, Benjamin.

The Moral Sense The brothers did not get upset when Benjamin gets a larger portion of

food at the feast. They trusted each other when accused of being thieves of the silver,

and they did not abandon Benjamin. They were concerned with how these events would have affected their

family, and Judah acts in the best interest of the family and takes the place of Benjamin when he is condemned to be a slave. This shows that…

We should act in the best interest of our family and other people around us, and to not be selfish. This story also shows us that we should not blame others, or jump to false conclusions.

Example In Our Daily Lives: Your friend invites you to a birthday party which is on the same day as a funeral for your grandmother. What should you do?

According to the story’s message: You should think of what is in the best interest of your family, and attend your grandmother’s funeral. You can write a birthday card to your friend, and tell them that you have to attend this event out of honor of your family.

The Allegorical Sense The typology of the story is when at the

feast foreshadows the Last Supper, where Joseph acts as Jesus, who hosts the meal.

The brothers act as the loyal apostles (excluding Judas).

Benjamin is the favored one, such as John was the favored apostle of Jesus.

This painting is called “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci.

Anagogical Sense

We must trust in God, that through his mercy we will get to heaven and be free for eternity.

STORY CONNECTION: When Benjamin was condemned to be a slave.

Prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Dear most gracious and forgiving Father, we ask you to assist and lead us in our journey to Heaven so that we may be with you forever in Heaven. Amen.