Genesis 43:27 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Genesis 43:27

Comments

Joseph continues what must have seemed his extraordinary level of interest in their family, and enquires about their father, while still hiding his true identity from them. Joseph loved his father as his father loved him, and longed to see him again. They delay in their return had surely troubled him. He knew his father was old, but hoped that God would preserve them still until they could reunite as Joseph intended. The brothers do not understand this interest; they do not understand many things about this strange man, but they know they owe him a deep level of respect and they bow again. Two words are used to expresses the reverence of the brothers: they bowed down or kneeled down before Joseph, and then they bowed deeply or made obeisance. The second is the same word used to describe the dreams of his early years. Now, brotherly affection begins to come out, and he feels a deep affection for his brother, Benjamin, from whom he has been unjustly separated for so long. Joseph is also moved at seeing the prophecy of God taking place before him, and must have sensed with awe that his whole life had been planned by God, and had led up to this crucial moment. This was sufficient comfort for all the pain he had suffered, and he fully submitted to the will of God with thanks for all of it. But he must still hide his feelings because the time to reveal himself has not yet come

Application

It is their brother who speaks to them, but they do not know it. In our unconverted state, it is Christ, the Saviour, who addresses us, but at first we count him as our accuser, for we only know of his law which condemns us. We shrink from him, not understanding his purposes towards us.

Joseph can hardly control himself in front of them and we are taught that this is how Christ feels for us even before he reveals himself to us. He yearns for his elect people, and loves them with a love that passes knowledge. This is to the encouragement of those who are tempted to feel that God is only angry with them, and who feel that it is hopeless to expect to obtain mercy from him. ‘Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face’, says Cowper. The seeker must not be put off by that frown. It is working for our good to humble us, and we must press nearer to him, and not shrink back.

Christ feels for us even before he reveals himself to us. Let no one despair of receiving grace at last. This passage is designed to teach us never to give up prayer, never to stop appealing to his mercy.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Genesis 43:27 Commentary and Bible Study