Genesis 43:19 Commentary and Bible Study

They are determined to be utterly straightforward. No other policy is safe. They will throw themselves on the mercy of this steward, and let him judge their case. They are desperate both to be, and to be seen to be, honest men. ‘What carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves’ (2 Corinthians 7:11). Integrity is what they want more than anything else, and they distance themselves far from their former ways.The official reassures them that in his eyes they have done nothing wrong. He is the same official that took their money previously, and can confirm that they paid him for all they received. He knows what happened, but he does not yet know why it happened – it seems that no one in the house knew until Joseph revealed it later (Genesis 45:1,16). He knows that Joseph commanded him to put their money back in their sacks and that is what he did, but he is quite clear that they gave him the correct payment in the first place. The man shows that he knows how to conduct himself in the household of Joseph. Kindness and consideration has been the hallmark of all Joseph’s dealings with men, and he has not changed now that he has been elevated to second in the realm. His staff also – and this steward is a senior member of the household, judging from the responsibility which he takes for things – have the same characteristics as their master. ‘Your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks.’ Joseph must have told him to say this, but he is aware of Joseph’s God, and seems to know that the same God is their God also, and the God of their father. It is likely that Joseph would have taught his household about the one true God, and encouraged them to live by his laws. They are Hebrews and it was well known that Joseph was a Hebrew, but at this point that would have been unknown to his brothers..Simeon is returned to them without harm. He has had a longer wait than he would have liked, but is no doubt relieved to be free again and reunited with his brothers. There too is Benjamin, and for that reason he has been released. He has been humbled by his time in prison, though certainly treated with consideration.