Genesis 42:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Joseph’s life is a study in God’s providence. As Calvin comments, ‘Though … the providence of God is in itself a labyrinth; yet when we connect the issue of things with their beginnings, that admirable method of operation shines clearly in our view.’ We are given to see the guidance and overruling of the Lord in connection with the seed of Abraham, the representative people of God, in such a way that his protection and provision becomes clear, even though his working in the remainder of mankind remains obscured in darkness. Over everything in Joseph’s life are the dreams which act as a prophecy of his entire history. We, who know where this will end, can see how the setbacks and the advances contribute to the end, but we realise how perplexing these things would have been to Joseph, for at the time he could not see how this was contributing to the outcome he hoped for. God is working not just in Joseph’s life, but in the life of his family, in the fortunes of nations, in the precise timing of events. Is it surprising that with this light from heaven shining on them the events surrounding his life are so perfectly arranged, that they scarcely seem real? The famine is on a huge scale. It affects not only Egypt but all lands in the known world, and Jacob’s family is not spared. However everybody has heard that in Egypt there is corn, and reports of this remarkable Prime Minister spread, giving hope to the surrounding nations. The famine is everywhere, but due to Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and the saving of the harvest, it became known that corn was for sale in Egypt. The seven years of plenty have come to an end and the seven years of famine have already begun. Egypt had corn for sale, but the sons hesitate. They look at each other, as if waiting for the other to make the first move, none of them being prepared to do what obviously needed to be done. They were dragging their feet. The last solution to the problem of famine that they wanted to see or to hear about was to obtain corn in Egypt. Why was that? Because in their consciences, in their hearts, they remembered that they had sold Joseph into slavery to Ishmaelite traders going down to Egypt, and Egypt stuck in their gullets, as it were. Of course they did not think that Joseph would appear out of nowhere. As far as they were concerned, he had gone into slavery. About thirteen years has elapsed since then. Jacob has to summon them and urge them to live and not die – he and the family of promise. Why do ye look one upon another? They knew, those 10 men, that there was corn in Egypt. This is the last solution they wanted. And he said, behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down dither. It's the obvious thing to do, Jacob seems to be saying to his sons. And buy for us from thence that we may live and not die. This is a life and death matter. Why do you hesitate? It doesn't actually say they were hesitating, but the text is loaded. You can see it there. Hesitation and reluctance. So the scene is set. They knew what they'd done, and Egypt brought it home to them somehow. But they went. Were the facts of the availability of corn in Egypt kept from Jacob? The sons were independent and proud. There is a hint they were reluctant to go down. They had led godless lives and the ten were not godly men or men of faith. The remembrance of what they had done to Joseph troubled them. Apart from Joseph and maybe Benjamin, they were wicked and violent men. Judah had moved away – a chapter is dedicated to his sin – but probably came back to Canaan due to the famine. All this was going to be for preservation of the seed of Messiah.Benjamin, the youngest, who is now at least twenty-one is not sent on this dangerous journey, lest he does not survive. He is the only remaining son of Rachel, Jacob’s favourite wife. This decision is made by Jacob for the benefit of the church and the coming descendants. The ten are to be brought under deep conviction for their sin, but Benjamin wasn’t involved in what they did.