Genesis 42:39-43:34
At this time the famine was still very severe. When Jacob saw that all their food was finished, he called his sons and told them to go back to Egypt to buy more food.
But Judas said to his father; The man told us very clearly that he will not allow us to buy food again unless we bring our brother Benjamin with us.
Then Jacob asked, Why did you tell the man that you have another brother? They said; The man asked us about ourselves and about our family. He asked if our dad still lives and whether we have another brother. We just told him what he asked. We did not know he would say we should bring our brother.
Judah pleaded with his father,
Let Benjamin go with me. I will take care of him. We have to go to Egypt to get food. If we don’t go, we will all die—including our children. 9 I will make sure he is safe. I will be responsible for him. If I don’t bring him back to you, you can blame me forever.
Then their father Jacob said to them; If this is true then you should go and take Benjamin. But before you go, take some of our best balm, honey, gum, resin, nuts and almonds for the man. Take also twice as much money with you this time. Take all the money back that was given back to you last time.
Israel, that is Jacob (remember he was given a new name when he wrestled with God) said; I will pray that God Almighty will help that the man will be friendly to you. I will also pray that he will return your brother Simeon and also Benjamin. The brothers greet their father, and went to Egypt.
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to his servant to bring his brothers into his house and to kill an animal and cook it so that he and his brothers could have a meal together.
His brothers were afraid when they were taken to Joseph house. They said to each other; We have been brought here because of the money that was put back in our sacks. They will use this as proof against us and make us slaves.
So before they enter Joseph's house they went to the servant and explain to him about the money that was in their sacks the previous time when they went back home. They said to the servant that they don't know how the money got in their sacks but they brought all that money with them to give it back and that they brought more money to buy food.
The servant told them that they must not be afraid because he remembers that they paid him for the grain the last time. He said to them they must believe him it must be God who put the money in their sack as a gift.
Then the servant brought Simeon out of the prison and his brothers were very glad to see him.
When Joseph came home his brothers bowed down and gave him the gifts they had brought with them. Joseph then asked them if their father was still healthy and alive.
Again his brothers bowed before him and answered; Yes, sir, our father is still alive. Joseph then saw Benjamin and asked them; Is this your youngest brother that you told me about.?
Joseph said to Benjamin; God bless you my son After this Joseph quickly went out and cry in another room. ( Because his heart was deeply touched over his brother.) After he stopped crying, he washed his face. He said to his servants to put the food on the table.
Joseph was seated by himself and his brothers had been seated from the oldest to the youngest facing Joseph. His brothers looked at each other and they were astonished. Joseph's servants served food from Joseph's table but Benjamin was given five times as much food as his brothers.
Joseph's brothers ate and drank with him and they all had a good time together.
In the next story, I will tell you what happened after that. Remember the Bible is not just a made-up story. It is the word of God and it is a true story. Everything happened exactly as the Bible told us.
Thank you for reading.
Sources: ERV Easy to read Bible, ICB International Children's Bible, The Message Bible, The New King James Bible.
Images: freebibleimages.org
