And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.””
ESV GENESIS 42:2
In just six chapters of scripture, we learn that Joseph has been in Egypt for twenty years. Joseph has now been in Egypt longer than he has known his family. At the beginning of this chapter, we find Joseph’s brothers traveling to Egypt. The question has to be asked why are the brothers going to Egypt? Scripture tells us, When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” And so, begins our journey of Joseph and his brothers being reunited after twenty years of separation.
When the brothers first arrive to Egypt looking for grain, Joseph recognizes them but keeps his identity a secrete. In Genesis 42 we see a new Joseph, a much more mature and wiser Joseph. He has learned a lot over the last 20 years about following God’s plan. He has become more humble in nature when compared to the 17-year-old dreamer in Genesis 37. When the brothers arrived in Egypt they bowed down before Joseph with their faces to the ground. In this moment Joseph recognized his brothers and remembered his dream (Genesis 37:5-8) The brothers had sent Joseph away specifically to defeat his dream of them bowing before Joseph. When they sent Joseph to Egypt, they in fact provided the way the dreams would be fulfilled. This shows God’s wisdom and goodness are far greater than man’s evil plans and intentions. God can use the evil actions of man towards us to further his plans. As the brothers bow down before Joseph, instead of taking revenge on his brothers, he creates a wise plan that will save his family from starvation and lead to reconciliation. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him. This is another reflection of Jesus. Jesus sees who we are before we know Him. In this scenario we are introduced to a Joseph who doesn’t want his brothers to fear him as much as he wanted his brothers to trust him. We also see the sins of the past still haunt the brothers. Scripture tells us, then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” The brothers discuss this thought not knowing the very man who gave them the grain was Joseph. The brothers’ consciences are still guilt stricken by the way they treated Joseph before. The quickness of this thought amongst the brothers shows us for twenty years they have often thought about this sin. For twenty years they have been weighed down by it. Scripture tells us in James “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Here we see with confession of sin is when the healing can begin. The question has to be asked will the brothers be able to heal from this sin or will the thought of selling their brother into slavery in Egypt continue to burden them.
The brothers return from Egypt with the news of what the Egyptian Governor (Joseph) is requiring from them in order to continue their grain supply. Their father Jacob responds the same way many of us would when difficult news comes our way. “And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.”” Jacob says this not knowing it is all part of Gods great plan to provide for his family.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
ROMANS 8:28 ESV