Study From the Book of Genesis,43

Study From the Book of Genesis,43

Today we study chapter 43 of the Book of Genesis. There is one biblical principle and its lesson which I think it is useful in biblical counselling.

Jacob blamed his sons for telling the Egyptian there was still another brother. His sons replied that they had simply answered the questions they were asked. Judah promised that he would keep Benjamin safe. Judah had changed tremendously. Instead of leaving the family as in chapter 38, he instead protected his brother and he concerned about his father’s wellfare.

In coming back to Egypt with Benjamin, they must have been surprised. The last time, they were treated as spies and criminals. Now Joseph invited them into his house to dine with them. The steward also responded in an unexpected manner.  He did not accuse them of anything after they told him about the money they found in their sacks in the previous visit. And surprisingly expressed his own faith in the God of Joseph and Jacob.

For the second time, the brothers of Joseph bowed down to him, just as his revelatory dreams had predicted.  Benjamin had not been a part of the earlier conspiracy against Joseph. The relationship between Joseph and his younger brother must have been particularly close, since Joseph was overwhelmed when he saw Benjamin.

At the dinner table with his brothers, Joseph maintained his disguise, so he followed the Egyptian custom of eating at a table separate from the Hebrews. The brothers might have been surprised and unsettled that they had been seated according to their ages.

Structure:

Verses 1- 34: Joseph’s brothers return with Benjamin.

Principle 71 verse 43:14: ----” And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man. That he may release your brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Lesson 71: Jacob finally realized that there was no option apart of giving Benjamin to his sons and to return back to Egypt to get the grains. Jacob overcome his worries by relying on God Almighty (El Shaddai) to protect them and to return them back with Simon and Benjamin safe. To note this is the fourth time in Genesis that God is called El Shaddai (see 17:1;28:3;35:11). 12/7/2026