Gen 42:21-23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 42:21-23: 42:21-23 Clearly we are being punished: The brothers sensed that having to bring Benjamin back to Egypt against their father’s wishes was God’s punishment for their having sold Joseph to the traders. The sense of divine retribution began to awaken feelings of remorse that Joseph’s cries for mercy and their father’s tears (37:34-35 ) had failed to arouse.

a42:21-23►

b37:34-35►

‏ Genesis 42:21-23

Summary for Gen 42:21-23: 42:21-23 ^a Clearly we are being punished: The brothers sensed that having to bring Benjamin back to Egypt against their father’s wishes was God’s punishment for their having sold Joseph to the traders. The sense of divine retribution began to awaken feelings of remorse that Joseph’s cries for mercy and their father’s tears (37:34-35 ^b) had failed to arouse.
42:22 ^c you wouldn’t listen: Reuben had lost the reins of leadership (see study notes on 42:37; 49:3-4).