GENESIS 42

42:1-5

The Book of Ruth starts in the same way with a famine that forces Naomi's family to move to Moab – an indirect action of God that eventually accomplishes His will in a roundabout way.

Verse 1 Alter has “Why are you fearful?”

Verse 2 Jacob seems to be impatient with his sons, who do not grasp the urgency of the situation.

Verse 4 Is there a hint here that he did not trust his sons?

42:6-9

Verse 6 God first humbles those who are to be exalted.

Verse 7 “Recognize” is a key word in the story. Joseph is separated from his family for 20 years just as his father Jacob was.

Verses 8-9 Joseph unexpectedly attacks them after he remembers his dreams. The reason is that the dreams included all eleven brothers and his father. He must do something to bring about the expected conclusion, first with the rest of the brothers and then (as in the second dream) including his father. This shows another combination of divine initiative and human action. There is a possible parallel with Jesus' life who knew the various prophecies and saw that they were fulfilled.

Verse 9 Nakedness is something that only those privileged are to see.

42:10-17

Verse 13 The fact that they counted Joseph shows that they still considered him part of the family; he had not been forgotten.

Verse 15 The word “test” is used. The first test of the brothers was designed to awaken their consciences and prepare the way for the following test.

42:18-25

Verse 21 They were incorrect in thinking that disaster is always the result of our sin.

Verse 22 One wonders how often he lorded it over his brothers by reminding them that he had been against the whole thing.

Verse 24 This is the first of three times that Joseph will be moved to tears. Simeon was perhaps the ringleader in selling Joseph, and was also known as being a cruel man (see Jacob's testimony later). Joseph may have picked him because (a) he didn't want him to unduly influence the others on the trip back or (b) he knew that prison would be helpful in bringing him to repentance. Another explanation is that he had just learned of Reuben's innocence so he picked the next oldest brother for imprisonment.

Verse 25 Returning of the silver is also associated with their guilt in selling Joseph.

42:26-34

Verse 28 This is the first time that the brothers mention God (v. 21 was an indirect reference, but could be understood much like karma). C. S. Lewis reminded us that God “shouts to us in our pain.” This may indicate that they knew it was in response to their earlier sin. What about us blaming God directly when bad circumstances happen? Why were the brothers so upset and why did Joseph include this as part of the test?

Verse 29 This time they tell the truth to their father, and he doesn't believe them.

Verse 34 What do you think Jacob was feeling at this point?

42:35-38

Verse 35 The rest of the brothers open their sacks. Did Jacob perhaps suspect that they had sold their brother Simeon? Man does not understand the concept of grace, getting something for nothing.

Verse 36 Again, Jacob acts as the prima donna of paternal grief (Alter). Can a Christian truly believe that any circumstance in life is “against him.”

Verse 37 Why doesn't Jacob take Reuben up on his offer? Reuben passes the guilt down to his children. Would Jacob have really killed his own grandchildren? Jacob may have remembered Reuben's earlier untrustworthiness in sleeping with his concubine. It is difficult to regain trust when we have betrayed it in the past.

Verse 38 Jacob is again guilty of unbelievable insensitivity to the feelings of his sons. Just at the time that God, through Joseph, is controlling all events for their good, all Jacob sees are dangers in every direction. This is like our lack of faith when facing difficulties. And Jacob personalizes it as mainly affecting himself.