Genesis 42

Grace Abounding

"Joseph recognised his brothers although they did not recognise him" (Genesis 42:8)

One of the interesting features of the Joseph story is the way in which Joseph's personal experience contrasted with the experience of Egypt. Joseph's life was characterised by years of leanness which were followed by years of prosperity; while Egypt, on the other hand, experienced prosperity followed by years of leanness, barrenness and famine. Through Joseph, however, God made provision for the Egyptians; but, more importantly, made provision for his brothers, the sons of Jacob.

We already noted the sin that characterised the household of Jacob, represented by Judah's immorality (Genesis 38). This contrasted greatly with the integrity and godliness of Joseph, even although he was held captive in a strange land. Part of the purpose of the story of Judah was to explain later details (such as the reference to his family in 46:12), but in the larger picture of the Bible, we are to remember that it was from the tribe of Judah that our Lord came (Hebrews 7:14). In order that Judah might be preserved, and the line of salvation drawn against the backdrop of world history, it was necessary for the family of Jacob to be preserved. The Genesis story tells us of how preservation took place through the very son that was rejected.

In other words, the Joseph narrative illustrates for us the principle of Romans 5:20, that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more". This is a chapter full of the blessing of God, mediated through Joseph, and extended to the whole world. There are several issues in this context worth highlighting.

Enemies favoured (41:56)

The Egyptians were a strong, mighty nation, who would become legendary in history. Their Pharaohs were their gods, and their wealth and power seemed to be unlimited. Egypt will feature strongly in the biblical narrative after this too, not least in the fact that Jesus will fulfill the prophecy of Hosea 11:1 and be called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:14 -- with a possible reference also to Numbers 24:8).

Yet the beginning of chapter 42 reminds us of the amazing compassion of God towards his very enemies -- "there was grain in Egypt" (42:1). God had planted Joseph in a land where he was surrounded by people who worshipped their own deities, and who were strangers to the God of the covenant, loved and served by Joseph himself. And there he fulfilled God's remarkable purpose of grace, his wisdom and prudence employed as the means by which Egypt would have bread when the whole world was languishing in famine.

Theologians have wrestled over the doctrine of 'common grace' -- what is God's relation to this fallen world? We know that he loves his elect people, and his grace determines to save them. But too often election becomes the first principle in our approach and in our evangelism, and can breed a coldness towards ungodly men and women. Election, however, is a secret thing, which belongs to God (Deuteronomy 29:29). Our example is the electing God who became incarnate in Christ, of whom it was said that 'he went about doing good' (Acts 10:38), and of whom 'compassion' towards men and women is what the Gospel writers note most frequently (Mark 6:34).

God is compassionate and merciful and gracious towards all -- even towards those who are not his people. That is why there was grain in Egypt. It is explained in the Sermon on the Mount in this way: "He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). It is precisely that fact that is used by Jesus to encourage us to love our enemies and those who do us wrong (Matthew 5:44); and Joseph is a supreme Old Testament example of that.

Dreams remembered (42:9)

But for Joseph, seeing his brothers who came looking for food, there was a personal aspect to all of this too. The meeting with his brothers must have been extremely emotional, full of memory and pathos. At first he did not identify himself, and they certainly did not recognise him. Joseph had been out of their lives for a long time; though I doubt if he was out of their consciences.

But as he looked as his brothers there before him, Joseph remembered the dreams (of which we read in chapter 37); he remembered these nights when, as a young boy in Jacob's home, he caught a glimpse of what God was yet to do with him and through him. Now he saw the fulfillment of God's purposes.

God is not mocked. His purposes and plans always come to fruition. He has a scheme of salvation which nothing can thwart. He gives promises which he keeps, and intimates purposes which are realised. Nothing stands in the way of his work in the lives of his people. At times in our lives, too, it is good to recount the promises God gave us, and the ways God led us; good to remember our dreams and weigh them against our realities. We may not have seen all our hopes realised, but we will be able to testify to the keeping, sustaining grace of God who keeps his word.

Brothers tested (42:10-24)

Joseph submitted his brothers to a variety of tests. First he accused them of being spies (9-16); then he put them in prison (16-24), insisting that someone return to fetch Benjamin while the rest remain in Egypt; finally, when he sent them home to Canaan with sacks full of grain, he replaced the money with which they had bought their food (25-35).

Joseph was not acting capriciously or vengefully towards his brothers. Before the revelation of who he was could take place, he needed to awaken in them a realisation of what they had done, and a sense of repentance for it. Their sin had not merely been against Joseph, but against God. It is going to take false accusation, prison and separation to convince them that they have transgressed God's law, and that there are matters that need to be put right. Reuben's words in the prison "[Joseph's] blood is now required of us" echoes Genesis 9:5-6, where God mandated death for those who shed blood. The brothers must come face to face with their guilt and repent of their sin.

There is, says Paul, a sorrow that is worldly, and leads to death (2 Corinthians 7:10). It's easy to be remorseful, just as Esau was (Hebrews 1217), or as Judas was (Matthew 27:4). But there is also a sorrow that is from God, and that leads to repentance and life. Paul thanked God that this is what his brothers in Corinth experienced (2 Corinthians 7:9-12); and Joseph will have reason to thank God that his brothers will experience it too.

But sometimes God leads us to repentance by strange routes. In the case of Jacob's sons, their motive for coming to Egypt had to be questioned; their memory of what they had done to Joseph had to be stirred; and their integrity had to be restored. Past, present and future all had to be dealt with. Repentance deals not only with what we have done, but what we are now, and what we will be in the future. Only by being emptied of ourselves can we come with a genuine repentance before God, and know his blessing on our lives. That time would come, but not yet. Sometimes God works in the lives of people for a long time before he brings them to their knees in repentance and confession!

There is a very touching moment in 42:33-4, as Joseph listens to the conversation of his brothers in prison. They do not know that he is understanding every word they say -- part of his treatment of them involved using an interpreter to communicate with them. But he listens as they reminisce and as they think back. He remembered god-sent dreams; they remembered wicked deeds. And Joseph turned away and wept (42:34). Some things are best thought of alone.

Sorrows multiplied (42:36-8)

Jacob could not believe what he was hearing. "Joseph is no more; Simeon is no more; and you want to take Benjamin away. All these things are against me" (42:36). The deceiver has also to face a final test. And it pulls at his very heart: the loss of Benjamin is unthinkable in the face of losing Joseph. Benjamin is Jacob's sole remaining link with Rachel, the love of his heart. To lose him would be to die (verse 38).

But God is going to restore Jacob's years too. He is going to discover that although weeping endures for a night, joy comes in the morning. There are times when our losses seem unbearable, and our grief cannot be assuaged. But God is in control, and we must leave things in his hands. We may love to feel the warmth and the blessing that others seem to know; but even when we cannot, we can claim Christ, and he will be with us, every step of life's way.