GENESIS 43
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” – Genesis 43:13-18
GENESIS 43 BENJAMIN IS PRESENTED TO JOSEPH
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
After much thought, Jacob agreed to let Benjamin go to Egypt
He began to accept his concern about losing Benjamin
They needed to survive this severe famine in the land
Jacob hoped that the present and the double payment will work
So, the brothers took Benjamin with them to present him to Joseph
As soon as Joseph saw his younger brother, he ordered a feast
Little did the brothers know what was going to happen
They were so terrified of what this fuss was all about.
What a suspense-filled story we hear in this account! On the part of the brothers, it was all anxiety and fear that they felt. How hard that must have been to think that they may be all prisoners in Egypt. They may never see their father or own families.
On the part of Joseph, it was also an emotional moment. He must have thought of his younger brother Benjamin all those years they were separated from each other. This scene reminds me of the prodigal son who came back and the father ordered a feast for his prodigal son. Only this time, it was a brother whom he hasn’t seen for many years.
REFLECTION
- Were the brothers’ distress and fear justified? Why or why not?
