‏ Genesis 42

Genesis 42:1-6: Jacob Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn

In this passage, Jacob and his family face a severe famine in Canaan. Even though Jacob’s sons all have their own families, they still live together under Jacob’s leadership. Jacob hears that there is food in Egypt and urges his sons to go there and buy grain. This moment shows how people often must act quickly and wisely in times of trouble. It also reminds us that God sometimes uses difficult times to teach us to trust Him and to look for a better, heavenly country (Hebrews 11:14-16 ^a).

v. 1-2: Jacob notices that there is food in Egypt while there is famine in Canaan. He asks his sons why they are just standing around and not taking action. Jacob tells them to go to Egypt to buy grain so the family will not die from hunger (v. 1, 2 ^b). Sometimes, God gives plenty to one place and not another, so people can help each other. Jacob’s challenge shows that it is foolish to delay when urgent action is needed.

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v. 3: Joseph’s ten brothers obey Jacob and go to Egypt to buy food. They do not send servants but go themselves, showing responsibility and care for their families (v. 3 ^c). This teaches us that leaders should not be too proud to do important work themselves.

v. 4: Jacob does not let Benjamin go with his brothers because he is afraid that something bad might happen to him. Benjamin is Joseph’s only full brother, and Jacob loves him very much (v. 4 ^d).

v. 5: The sons of Israel travel to Egypt, just like many others, because the famine is also affecting Canaan (v. 5 ^e).

v. 6: Joseph is now governor of Egypt and in charge of selling food. When his brothers arrive, they bow down before him, not knowing who he is. This fulfills Joseph’s earlier dream that his brothers would bow before him (v. 6 ^f). Their empty “sheaves” are now bowing to his full one, just as in his dream (Isaiah 60:14; Revelation 3:9 ^g).

Genesis 42:7-20: Joseph Speaks Roughly to His Brethren

In this passage, Joseph meets his brothers for the first time since they sold him into slavery. He recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Joseph speaks harshly to them and accuses them of being spies. This is not out of revenge, but to test them, fulfill his dreams, and learn about his family. God sometimes allows His people to go through hard times to bring them to repentance and to prepare them for blessings in the future.

v. 7-8: Joseph sees his brothers and immediately knows who they are, but he pretends to be a stranger and talks to them in a rough way. His brothers do not recognize him because they do not expect to see him as a ruler in Egypt (v. 7-8 ^h). Joseph remembers his old dreams about his brothers bowing down to him (v. 9 ⁱ), while they have forgotten them.

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v. 9: Joseph accuses them of being spies who have come to see where Egypt is weak. He does this to test them and to find out about their family. He also wants to see if his dreams will come true (v. 9 ^j).

v. 10-13: The brothers answer respectfully, calling Joseph “my lord.” They insist they are not spies, but honest men who have come to buy food. They explain that they are twelve brothers, but the youngest is at home and one is “not” (meaning Joseph himself, whom they believe is dead) (v. 10-13 ^k). This is a big change from how they once treated Joseph.

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v. 14-16: Joseph repeats the accusation and tells them they will be tested. He says they cannot leave unless their youngest brother, Benjamin, comes to Egypt. One brother can go home to bring Benjamin, but the others will stay in prison until the truth is known (v. 14-16 ^l). Joseph uses the phrase “by the life of Pharaoh,” which helps him seem like a true Egyptian to his brothers.

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v. 17: Joseph puts all his brothers in prison for three days (v. 17 ^m). This time of trouble is meant to humble them and make them think about their past actions.

v. 18-20: On the third day, Joseph tells them that he fears God and will not harm them unfairly. He lets one brother stay as a hostage, while the others can go home with food for their families. He says they must bring Benjamin back to prove their honesty (v. 18-20 ⁿ). Joseph’s respect for God gives hope to his brothers that he will treat them fairly (Nehemiah 5:15 ^o).

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Reflections of Joseph's Brethren

This passage records a moment of realization and regret among Joseph’s brothers as they recall their mistreatment of him. Their guilty consciences come alive as they face distress in Egypt, and their reactions reveal how past wrongs can cause deep fear and confusion even years later. Joseph, now governor of Egypt, observes their discussion without them knowing he understands every word.

v. 21: The brothers say to each other, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us” . After many years, their consciences remind them of their cruelty to Joseph when he begged for mercy and they ignored him. Hard times have made them remember their sin. Difficulties often awaken guilt about past wrongs.

v. 22: Reuben replies, “Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required” . Reuben reminds them that he warned them not to harm Joseph. Now he sees their suffering as God’s way of demanding justice for Joseph’s blood. It is comforting for Reuben to know he tried to stop the wrong, even if he could not prevent it.

v. 23: The brothers do not realize that Joseph understands them, because he speaks to them through an interpreter . They believe they are speaking privately, but Joseph hears every word.

v. 24: Joseph turns away from them and weeps, then returns and chooses Simeon, binding him before their eyes . Joseph’s tears show his compassion and deep feelings for his brothers. He chooses Simeon as a hostage, perhaps because Simeon was one of the most responsible in the past or the least repentant.

v. 25: Joseph orders their sacks to be filled with grain, and their money to be secretly returned, along with extra provisions for the journey . Even while testing them, Joseph shows them kindness, just as God often gives grace to those who do not recognize it.

v. 26: The brothers load their donkeys with the grain and leave Egypt .

v. 27: At an inn, one brother opens his sack to feed his donkey and finds his money at the top of the sack .

v. 28: He tells the others, and they are terrified, saying, “What is this that God hath done unto us?” . Their guilty consciences make them afraid of even good things. They worry that this unexpected return of their money will bring more trouble. When people feel guilty, even blessings can seem like threats.

Genesis 42:29-38: The Report Made to Jacob

In this passage, Joseph’s brothers return to Canaan and tell their father, Jacob, everything that happened to them in Egypt. They explain how they were accused of being spies, how Simeon was left behind, and how they were told to bring Benjamin if they wanted to see Simeon again. When they open their sacks and find the money returned, both they and Jacob are afraid. Jacob is deeply troubled, thinking that all these events are working against him. This shows how people sometimes misunderstand God’s ways, thinking things are bad when God is actually working for their good.

v. 29-34: The brothers tell Jacob about their trouble in Egypt. They explain the governor spoke harshly to them, accused them of being spies, and demanded that they leave one brother behind and bring Benjamin to prove their honesty (v. 29-34 ^p). This reminds us that we never know what may happen when we travel or face new situations, so we should always be prepared and trust God.

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v. 35: When they empty their sacks, everyone finds their money returned. This frightens them, because they worry it will look suspicious or lead to accusations (v. 35 ^q). Sometimes, even a kindness can make us afraid if we misunderstand it.

v. 36: Jacob feels overwhelmed by all these troubles. He complains that he has lost Joseph, lost Simeon, and now may lose Benjamin as well. He says, “All these things are against me” (v. 36 ^r). But really, God is using everything for good. Often, we think things are against us when God is actually working for us (2 Samuel 13:31 ^s).

v. 37: Reuben tries to convince Jacob to let Benjamin go, even offering the lives of his two sons if he does not bring Benjamin back. His plan is foolish, as the loss of grandchildren would not comfort Jacob for the loss of a son (v. 37 ^t).

v. 38: Jacob refuses to let Benjamin go, saying that if something happened to him, it would bring his gray hairs down to the grave in sorrow. Jacob does not trust his sons because of what happened to Joseph. This shows how distrust and mistakes in a family can bring much sadness (v. 38 ^u).