Genesis 42
Evans, W.Genesis 42:1-38
Genesis 42:1-38; Genesis 42:28; Genesis 50:15-21; Genesis 28:1-22(c) Joseph|His Brethren (Genesis 42:1-38; Genesis 42:28; Genesis 50:15-21; cf. also Genesis 28:1-22) Here we have another phase of the vision of Joseph’ s youth fulfilled. In this picture of his brethren doing obeisance to him, we have the fulfillment of his vision of the sheaves bowing down to his sheaf. We shall not understand Joseph’ s treatment of his brethren unless we clearly see the purpose of the method pursued by him. The end Joseph had in view was to produce conviction of sin in the hearts of his brethren. He would have them realize the awfulness of the sin which they had committed. Four steps may be mentioned in his treatment of his brethren: first, he spake roughly to them (Genesis 42:7, cf. Genesis 37:4); second, he put them in prison (Genesis 42:17, cf. Genesis 37:24); third, he put their money into their sacks (Genesis 42:25, cf. Genesis 37:23); fourth, he put the cup in the sack of the youngest, probably to see if they cared still for youth, or would treat him as they had Joseph (Genesis 44:2). Joseph’ s method of treatment brought about the desired results (Genesis 42:21-22; Genesis 44:16). The consciences of his brethren began to work. The natural elements of retribution are set forth in the words of Gen 42:21-22 -“ And they said one to another, 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. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spoke I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” There is no human accuser here-“ They said among themselves [or one to another]” (Genesis 42:21). In this connection let us notice the factors within us that make up natural retribution as set forth in Genesis 42:21-22; first, memory-“ We saw the anguish” (this happened twenty years before); second, imagination-“ When he besought us, and we would not hear” ; third, conscience-“ We are verily guilty concerning our brother” ; fourth, reason-“ Therefore is this distress come upon us” ; fifth, remorse-which means a biting back like a serpent stinging its own tail, the soul is recoiling on itself. Every sinner carries within himself enough material to build a hell if there were none in God’ s plan. Someone has well said that “ every man carries his own brimstone.” With a memory-to recall the past; with an imagination-to portray the scene of sin; with a conscience-to accuse of the guilt; with a reason-to justify the penalty; hell were impossible to escape by any sinner who goes into eternity unforgiven, unreconciled, and uncleansed. We have here a wonderful lesson in forgiveness (Genesis 45:1-16). Study it carefully. It is a lesson we need to learn today. How full, free, and gracious was Joseph’ s forgiveness! If he had not forgotten the wrong that had been done him, he remembered it only to forgive it. Compare Ephesians 4:26-27; Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 6:13-14; Matthew 18:21-35. How keenly Joseph’ s brethren felt the wrong they had done their brother, and how deeply they wept over it! So shall the Jewish people weep when they see the Christ whom they have rejected and crucified (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:8).
Genesis 42:28
Genesis 42:1-38; Genesis 42:28; Genesis 50:15-21; Genesis 28:1-22(c) Joseph|His Brethren (Genesis 42:1-38; Genesis 42:28; Genesis 50:15-21; cf. also Genesis 28:1-22) Here we have another phase of the vision of Joseph’ s youth fulfilled. In this picture of his brethren doing obeisance to him, we have the fulfillment of his vision of the sheaves bowing down to his sheaf. We shall not understand Joseph’ s treatment of his brethren unless we clearly see the purpose of the method pursued by him. The end Joseph had in view was to produce conviction of sin in the hearts of his brethren. He would have them realize the awfulness of the sin which they had committed. Four steps may be mentioned in his treatment of his brethren: first, he spake roughly to them (Genesis 42:7, cf. Genesis 37:4); second, he put them in prison (Genesis 42:17, cf. Genesis 37:24); third, he put their money into their sacks (Genesis 42:25, cf. Genesis 37:23); fourth, he put the cup in the sack of the youngest, probably to see if they cared still for youth, or would treat him as they had Joseph (Genesis 44:2). Joseph’ s method of treatment brought about the desired results (Genesis 42:21-22; Genesis 44:16). The consciences of his brethren began to work. The natural elements of retribution are set forth in the words of Gen 42:21-22 -“ And they said one to another, 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. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spoke I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” There is no human accuser here-“ They said among themselves [or one to another]” (Genesis 42:21). In this connection let us notice the factors within us that make up natural retribution as set forth in Genesis 42:21-22; first, memory-“ We saw the anguish” (this happened twenty years before); second, imagination-“ When he besought us, and we would not hear” ; third, conscience-“ We are verily guilty concerning our brother” ; fourth, reason-“ Therefore is this distress come upon us” ; fifth, remorse-which means a biting back like a serpent stinging its own tail, the soul is recoiling on itself. Every sinner carries within himself enough material to build a hell if there were none in God’ s plan. Someone has well said that “ every man carries his own brimstone.” With a memory-to recall the past; with an imagination-to portray the scene of sin; with a conscience-to accuse of the guilt; with a reason-to justify the penalty; hell were impossible to escape by any sinner who goes into eternity unforgiven, unreconciled, and uncleansed. We have here a wonderful lesson in forgiveness (Genesis 45:1-16). Study it carefully. It is a lesson we need to learn today. How full, free, and gracious was Joseph’ s forgiveness! If he had not forgotten the wrong that had been done him, he remembered it only to forgive it. Compare Ephesians 4:26-27; Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 6:13-14; Matthew 18:21-35. How keenly Joseph’ s brethren felt the wrong they had done their brother, and how deeply they wept over it! So shall the Jewish people weep when they see the Christ whom they have rejected and crucified (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:8).