GENESIS 43

The second major test which Judah is given in the structurally parallel section hinges on his relationship with his brothers. Below are listed some of the specific similarities between these two sections:

Judah’s First Test                                  Judah’s Second Test

Jacob invokes “El Shaddai”                 Jacob invokes “El Shaddai”

            brothers die                                            brothers reunited

            Tamar’s deception of Judah                  Joseph’s deception of Judah

            Judah’s pledge                                      Judah as surety

            false accusation                                     false accusation

            Tamar reveals herself                            Joseph reveals himself

            Judah’s confession                                Joseph’s confession

            Judah tries to save son’s life                 Judah tries to save brother’s life

            line continued through younger son     line continued through younger son

In chapters 43-49, Joseph subjects the ten siblings who had sold him into slavery to severe testing to see if they have changed their character over the years. Judah, as the focus of this testing, rises to the challenge by volunteering to be a slave to Joseph in order to save Benjamin's life. Judah, rather than Joseph, is actually the "hero" of these chapters as well as of Chapter 38.

43:1-10

Verse 1 This brings up the subject of the curse against Adam to struggle for his living. What is God's purpose in allowing “evil” in the world?

Verse 2 They accomplished nothing by delaying the inevitable.

Verse 6 Jacob again takes it as a personal affront that they had told the truth to Joseph (ever the trickster).

Verse 8 Judah throws Jacob's own words in 42:2 back at him. He steps to the forefront in this verse.

Verse 9 Judah takes on responsibility personally, unlike oldest son Reuben who rashly promised his own sons instead.

43:11-15

Verses 11-14 A glimpse of true faith emerges at the end of these verses. Thus, Jacob's new name Israel is used.

Verse 11 This list includes three items mentioned in regard to the Ishmaelite traders earlier in the story (37:25), emphasizing again their original guilt. The brothers are forced to reenact the part of the Midianite traders bringing the same goods and their brother to Egypt. Jacob again (as when he faced Esau) tries to bribe his way into someone's good graces. He doesn't seem to understand the concept of grace. But he is seen in a better light in the next verses.

Verse 13 Now Jacob calls Benjamin “your brother” instead of referring to him as his only remaining child.

Verse 14 “Other brother” is purposely ambiguous and may refer to either Simeon, kept in captivity, or Joseph himself. It combines faith in God's will with taking appropriate measures that the request will be granted (be gentle as doves and wise as serpents?).

43:16-25

Verse 18 The almost comic inclusion of “and donkeys” is like “and many cattle” at the end of the Book of Jonah.

Verse 23 The steward makes up a story. The last phrase means, “I have been paid in full.” The steward must have picked up something of Hebrew beliefs from Joseph. This most have been confusing to those who know they are guilty to be told that they are innocent before God.

43:26-34

Verse 26 Joseph's first dream is fulfilled.

Verse 30 This is the second time he weeps.

Verse 32 This exclusivity on the part of Egyptians is attested by Herodotus, felt to be due to abhorrence of lamb in the Jewish diet.

Verse 33 They are amazed that he knows the order of their ages.

Verse 34 Two distinct verbs in the Hebrew: they drank and they got drunk. This meal anticipates the use of Joseph's goblet in the next chapter. This is another test for the brothers to see if they would be jealous of favoritism shown Benjamin. We must rejoice when a brother is blessed more than we are.

Analyze Joseph in terms of intellect, emotions, and will. He has a perfectly integrated personality.