Study notes
Joseph did several unusual things to his brothers when they came looking for grain. The last time Joseph had been with them, they were filled with jealousy, hatred, and anger; they attempted to destroy their brother, and they deceived their father. Joseph put them through various tests, similar to the trying situations they had put him through, to see if they had changed.
Jacob didn’t want to send Benjamin to Egypt to buy food. He was afraid of losing him like he had lost Joseph.
Joseph tested his ten brothers by making them bring Benjamin to Egypt. Then he tested them to see if they would treat Benjamin badly.
Judah had changed since he sold Joseph into slavery. He offered to stay as Joseph’s slave so that Benjamin could go free.
Then the ten brothers learnt that Joseph the ruler of Egypt was their brother Joseph. They were afraid of what he would do to them. But Joseph forgave them. He explained how God made good things happen even from their evil actions.
Joseph’s dream from when he was a young man came true. That dream was recorded in Genesis 37:5–11. His brothers bowed down to him. But the brothers no longer hated one another or were jealous. Instead, they wept and hugged and talked together.
The brothers seemed different. They felt sorry for what they did to Joseph. They showed honor by returning the money and by bringing Benjamin. Given a chance to get rid of Rachel’s other son, Benjamin, would they do it?
Joseph was giving his brothers the chance to abandon Benjamin if they wanted to. Joseph was testing them to see if they were loyal to the family and faithful to their father.
This description would help the brothers see that the ruler knew things that other people could not know.
Hydromancy (trying to learn hidden things by pouring water into oil) and oenomancy (trying to learn hidden things by pouring wine into other liquids) were forms of divination (seeking knowledge through supernatural means) used in the ancient Near East. A special cup was often used for these practices.
Joseph was still pretending (see 42:7; compare 30:27; see also Leviticus 19:26; Numbers 23:23; Deuteronomy 18:10–11). He knew that only God reveals the future (see Genesis 37:5–9; 40:8; 41:16).
The brothers suggested a punishment that was too harsh. In ancient times, people often risked their lives based on their words. The palace manager agreed but imposed a punishment that matched Joseph's intentions (44:17).
The palace manager knew where the cup was, but he created more anxiety by beginning with the oldest.
they all tore their clothes: They knew what it would do to Jacob to lose Benjamin (42:38).
Judah again spoke for the group.
God has exposed the iniquity of your servants: God was completing the work of repentance in their hearts. Judah again proposed that they all be punished. Benjamin was seemingly guilty of this theft, but all of the others were guilty of sin against Joseph. They preferred not returning to Jacob at all versus seeing his grief at the loss of Benjamin (44:34).
Judah kept his promise to make sure Benjamin was safe (43:8–10). His lengthy plea to take Benjamin's place in prison is one of the most sincere examples of intercession in the Bible (44:33). It showed Judah's care for their father and his willingness to sacrifice everything for his brother. With this integrity, Judah proved himself a true leader, worthy of the firstborn's blessing (see John 15:13). Through him, Israel's kings would emerge (see Genesis 49:10).
The brothers had fully repented, as shown by Judah’s intercession. Because of their change, Joseph could reveal himself to them (45:1–15). He arranged for the family to join him in Egypt, where there was food (45:16; 47:12).
Judah was willing to give up his family, his future, and his freedom for others.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources