Introduction: Ten of Jacob’s remaining sons go to Egypt to buy grain, but the bargaining session goes awry.  Accusing the brothers of being spies, the governor offers a bargain: they can return home with grain, but one brother must remain as hostage.  If they return with their youngest brother, the governor says he will trust them and let them all go free.  

Who is this governor, and what is his deal?  Jacob’s sons don’t know.  You know that this governor is Joseph, the brother they sold, but he has yet to reveal his intentions with them.  Is he testing them? Taunting them? We have to wait, for the mystery only deepens today.

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The Mystery Deepens: from Genesis 42

After taking Simeon as ransom, Joseph presents a further test for his brothers: “Fill their bags with grain,” he orders his servants, “and put their money back in the sacks.”   On the way home the brothers find their money, and are more scared than before: “What is God doing to us?”  

Things turn even darker when they tell their father about the journey.  “The governor accused us; we pledged our honesty; Simeon is being held as ransom; we must return with Benjamin.”  Dad’s response is… not-exactly-selfless: “You have taken my children! Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone, now you want to take Benjamin!  Everything’s against me!”  

Reuben offers a solution: “Let us go, and you can kill my two sons if we don’t bring Benjamin back.”   But Jacob still refuses: “Joseph is dead; Benjamin is the only one left. If he is lost, I will die with sorrow.”  

Yeah, darker.  

So Jacob has made his choice: they will take no more chances.  Simeon remains in prison. They’ll wait the famine out.  

Have a great trip!

Daddio