Gen 42:38 | KingComments | STEP | Then it turns out that all of them have received the money back in their sacks. The brothers’ fear increases ( ). Jacob is also overcome by fear. In the words “you have bereaved me of my children”, it is also heard that Jacob suspects that the brothers had a hand in the disappearance of Joseph. There is no rest with him about what happened to Joseph. Jacob cannot (yet) speak the language of faith: “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” ( ). He experiences it all as against him. He only sees what he has already lost (Joseph, Simeon) and also what he is about to lose (Benjamin). Reuben is a picture of the people of Israel as they are now, in their present state, a people who sacrifice their own sons and believe they will not lose ‘Benjamin’ (the Messiah) as a result. Jacob is not willing to give up Benjamin. As long as this is the case, Joseph cannot make himself known. As long as we are not willing to give up everything, God cannot reveal Himself to us.

‏ Genesis 42:38

Benjamin Shall Not Go down

Then it turns out that all of them have received the money back in their sacks. The brothers’ fear increases (Gen 42:28). Jacob is also overcome by fear. In the words “you have bereaved me of my children”, it is also heard that Jacob suspects that the brothers had a hand in the disappearance of Joseph. There is no rest with him about what happened to Joseph.

Jacob cannot (yet) speak the language of faith: “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28). He experiences it all as against him. He only sees what he has already lost (Joseph, Simeon) and also what he is about to lose (Benjamin). Reuben is a picture of the people of Israel as they are now, in their present state, a people who sacrifice their own sons and believe they will not lose ‘Benjamin’ (the Messiah) as a result.

Jacob is not willing to give up Benjamin. As long as this is the case, Joseph cannot make himself known. As long as we are not willing to give up everything, God cannot reveal Himself to us.