Today’s passage: Genesis 43:1-34
Helpful thoughts:
- The brothers has asserted their honesty by voluntarily sharing information about Benjamin to Joseph when they were last in Egypt. Now, prior to their second journey they dishonestly convince their father they only shared about Benjamin’s existence because of intense questioning.
- Judah’s transformation is beginning to be seen in verse 8. He is willing to protect what would have been a source of jealousy in the past. He is thinking sacrificially for the benefit of others (Love).
- The Egyptians were not fond of shepherds (Genesis 46:34). This could have been the reason they would not eat with them. Joseph couldn’t eat with the Egyptians, but he didn’t want to give his brothers any clue to his identity, so he ate alone.
Questions to consider:
- Why were the brothers sitting in amazement at this meal? What all had transpired which seemed beyond belief?
- In what ways was Joseph’s affection for his full brother Benjamin expressed? How could this have increased the testing of the rest of his brothers? What had they done with Joseph when it was clear he had been favored?
- In what way is Judah beginning to be a picture of the coming Lion of Judah (Jesus Christ)? How did Christ offer himself in our place, taking our blame?